The point of origin and central figure of the Judeo-Christian faith is our Lord and Messiah, Jesus, the Begotten Son of the Father. His life and public ministry are best described in the Four Gospels of Mattithyahu (Matthew), Marqos (Mark), Luqas (Luke), and Yochanan (John), while His teachings are presented by all the writers of the New Testament of the Bible. His mission was one of love and mercy. Though His public ministry only lasted about three years, prior to His Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension it has continued to exist in the homes, assemblies, churches, ministries, and in the hearts of believers around the world for over 2,000 years to this very day. [Read More]
As profound and powerful as the Word ever was since the beginning, in the present, and forever – still changing and saving lives and healing the broken-hearted – a small group of three families heeded the LORD’s calling and dedicated their lives to forever be sent forth in advancing His Kingdom. In 2003, with its humble beginnings that took place in their homes with Holy Spirit-filled prayers, Bible studies, worship, encouragements, and teaching biblical truths around the dinner table and in the family room, Modesto Salvation Church of God (Modesto SCG) was formed under the grace of Yeshua.
Enduring through the test of time and seasons of trails, the members of Modesto SCG have never veered from the foundation of their origin for Christ is their Rock. In the early developments of Modesto SCG, the congregation called the Reverend Tswv Neej Yaj, one of the great preachers of his generation and leading pioneers of Salvation Church of God, to be their senior pastor. After only a few years, Pastor Tswv Neej relocated to Minnesota and shepherded Minneapolis SCG. Today, he continues to serve faithfully as one of the Board Members of Salvation Church of God.
In spite of all the challenges of not having an actual pastor or minister, the people of Modesto SCG continued to remain faithful to the LORD and His Word. Within the congregation the LORD raised a devout and loving Christian father and husband named, Zong J. Xiong to undertake the major leadership transition. At the time, serving as one of the elders – and blessedly remains so to this day – Zong’s vision for this ministry through God’s grace never dimmed. With a heart of a loving shepherd, he stepped to the forefront of this ministry. As ever kind-hearted and well-educated as he was, Zong generously took the role as the Church Administrator to keep the ministries of Modesto SCG in full operation. He also became an excellent Holy Spirit-filled Bible teacher and leader, and the families and friends of Modesto SCG have been focused on teaching the Word and application to life. As time passed, lives were touched, impacted, and changed by the mercy and love of Yeshua through these few families. This community of authentic and born-again followers of our Messiah, despite its small assembly and the few number of members, continued to be faithful and fruitful in the works of the Father. More important than mere quantities and religion, in the contemporary sense, is the solid foundation for the spiritual life of Modesto SCG that has been built. This foundation is everyone living and growing together in relationship with our Heavenly Father.
About ten years later, SCG Main Office sent an official letter of request to Leng Wilson Xiong, a young school teacher and ordained clergy, to serve as Senior Pastor of Modesto SCG. Little did he know, upon accepting this request, it charted the beginning of his unexpected journey with the loving families and friends of Modesto SCG. At this very hour, he does not know what will come – that is simply why he lives out each day and through the weekly music practice sessions, Bible study and fellowship gatherings, public evangelism, and every Shabbat worship service as an adventure – a journey of faith that is full of life, a life that is fully alive and surrounded by the same loving group of people that were there from the beginning, ten years ago. Along with all the new members and families that our Heavenly Father has added to the Body of the Beloved Son, he and his entire family are so blessed beyond measure to be part of this Kingdom family.
A few weeks before the 22nd of October, 2015, after much prayer and fasting, the name Living Gospel was agreed upon through a unanimous decision by the entire congregation. On February 6, 2016, Living Gospel Salvation Church of God, formerly named Modesto Salvation Church of God, held its first Sabbath service at Central Grace Community Church in Modesto, California.
By the grace of Yeshua, Living Gospel SCG continues in covenant to maintain the ordinances of the Gospel and the public worship of our Heavenly Father. Today, Leng Wilson Xiong serves both as a math and Bible teacher at Turlock Christian Schools and senior pastor at Living Gospel SCG. He also provides oversight and assist in the congregants’ worship team by training and equipping young musicians and teaches at worship gatherings. His beloved wife, Kia Vang, is actively involved in discipleship in the women’s ministry. He and his wife with their three adorable children live in Turlock, California.
