Dale Cuckow – Senior Pastor
Pastor Dale is the senior pastor at SCF and has served in this position since 2007. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio, USA and became a Christian at the age of 11. Married to Becky in 1982, he graduated from Ashland Theological Seminary; together they have been in full time vocational ministry since 1985. Pastor Dale and Becky’s journey to China began with a trip to China for an international adoption which eventually brought them back to China to study and teach from 2001 to 2004. Having moved to Shanghai in 2002, then to the US in 2004, Pastor Dale returned to China in 2007 to take up the ministry assignment where he currently is serving.
Eileen Hsu – Administrator
Eileen is a first generation Chinese American, born in Taiwan and later moving to the Unites States at age ten. After college, Eileen left sunny Southern California to pursue a career in New York City, where she felt an immediate connection to the vibrant, bustling culture that she had always been drawn to. It was in NYC where Eileen really fell in love with Jesus and grew passionate about what it means to follow Him. Unknowingly, her growing involvement at a local church was what prepared her for the eventual move to Shanghai (a clear calling from God) in 2006, and working in full time ministry at SCF. Recalling her first visit at SCF, Eileen was impressed by the sense of feeling right at home in the diverse congregation, just like in New York. Eileen joined the staff at SCF shortly after Ps. Dale came on board. It has truly been a privilege to be a part of the work that God is doing in the community here in Shanghai.
Su Tsai – Community Life Director
Suzana Tsai is the Community Life Director at SCF and has been on staff since 2006 (she previously served as the Youth Director from 2006 to 2012). She was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but her family is originally from Taiwan. She gave her life to Christ when she was 12, while attending a youth retreat.
She came to Shanghai in 2003 to learn Mandarin, thinking that the only thing she was going to do was to study the language; little did she know her English would not only improve here, but that she would end up in vocational ministry. When Su first came to Shanghai she searched for a church and found SCF, which became her “home away from home”. Connecting to a community group right away made a huge difference in her life and she hopes others will be able to experience the same as they make SCF their home church during their time in Shanghai!
Ricca Virria – Ignite Children’s Ministries Director
t is our pleasure to announce that Ricca Virria as the new Ignite Kids Director (SCF’s Children’s Ministry). Ricca and husband Daud are from Indonesia, along with their two children have been living in Shanghai since 2017. She was a volunteer at Ignite Kids as soon as her family joined SCF.
For more than a year Ignite Kids has been an online ministry led by Carson Weir along with a great team of adult volunteers. Starting Sunday September 5, 2021 Ignite Kids will be “live” and in person. We are excited about getting back to a “life-on-life”, teacher with students, children’s ministry. For more information you can write to ignitekids@scfenglish.com Let’s be praying for this vital discipleship ministry for children and for Ricca!
Derek Kirkland – Worship Director
Derek moved to Shanghai in 2020, and that same year, made SCF his church home. He had been involved in music at his church in Beijing, and quickly found that he could contribute to SCF in the same way. He serves on the team by playing piano, cajon, and singing.
Derek transitioned into leading the worship team in July 2022. As a leader, he believes in modeling the body of Christ and that God has given everyone something to bring to the church’s corporate worship.