ABOUT

OUR STORY


Missio is a multiethnic, multigenerational church centered in the reconciling power of Jesus Christ. We began as a small group that shared the good news of Jesus with students at Caltech and scientists at JPL, helping them integrate science and faith. As we got to know Pasadena, we realized how deeply its racial history impacts its schools and housing and grew in commitment to racial justice.

We meet during the week in homes to bless our neighborhoods in Jesus’s name, including groups that serve students, Harambee Ministries, young families, the formerly unhoused, and more. 

Missio launched public worship in January 2018 and became an official congregation in the ECO Presbyterian denomination in January 2025.

Dec 2015
Gathered at Len & Amy Tang’s home
Oct 2016
First S.A.F.E. event at Caltech
Jun 2017
Racial reconciliation partnership with Abundant Life Church
Jan 2018
Launched public worship
Sep 2018
Serving the formerly unhoused at Centennial Place
Jul 2023
Hired Wayne Chen as church planting resident
Jun 2024
Hosted racial history tour of Pasadena

WHAT WE BELIEVE


Missio is evangelical in ethos, Reformed in theology, Presbyterian in governance, and egalitarian regarding women in ministry. We are part of the ECO Presbyterian denomination. 

Mission

To join God’s reconciling mission throughout Pasadena in areas such as proclaiming the gospel, racial justice, science and faith, and equitable housing.

Vision

To be a multicultural community of people who experience life together on mission in their neighborhoods. Missio seeks to be a safe place to explore faith, to encounter truth, and to equip people to share the love of Jesus in their workplaces, campuses, and through church plants.

Values

UP

Gospel

As people who have received the gospel of Jesus Christ by grace, we seek to be a diverse community who re-tells Christ’s story of salvation and encounters God in corporate worship.

IN

Community

As people adopted into God’s family, we seek to be a community of Christ followers who demonstrate love, support, and companionship to each other.

OUT

Mission

As people sent and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to be ambassadors who proclaim the in-breaking new creation to the students, scientists, and seekers throughout Pasadena.

OUR STAFF


Len Tang | Lead Pastor

  • Len has the privilege of serving as Missio’s lead pastor. He is married to Amy and they have three young adult boys - Ben, Sam, and Josh. Len grew up in Pasadena, came to faith in Christ as a freshman at UC Berkeley, graduated in Computer Science and worked in software for three years, then returned to Pasadena to get his MDiv from Fuller Seminary. Len then made the great decision to marry Amy in 1996. 

    Len served as an associate pastor in Bellingham, Washington, then planted and pastored for 11 years in Sherwood, Oregon. His family returned to Pasadena in 2014 for Len to work at Fuller Seminary, and then they planted Missio in 2018. He continues to work half-time leading the Church Planting Initiative at Fuller. Len’s calling is to catalyze the planting of new Christian communities that display the love and justice of Jesus Christ. He is an Enneagram 1, with Apostolic as his primary gifting, and Strategy as his primary StrengthsFinder Strength.

    Likes: starting new things / being in nature / Huntington Library / Yosemite / basketball / NBA / Seattle Seahawks / home improvement / Apple / jiu jitsu

    Dislikes: lack of organization

    len [at] missiocc.org

Amy Tang | Minister of Discipleship

  • Amy trains Sunday morning volunteer team leaders and schedules our volunteers. She disciples members and helps them disciple others. She equips Missio members and residents at Mirador (permanent supportive housing) to make disciples at Mirador through Bible studies and a monthly gathering at Mirador. Amy taught middle school before raising her own children, who were all three home educated. She currently serves in the community as a substitute teacher and also teaches children and adults about healthy living and herbal remedies in her home. She got her bachelor’s of science in Economics at UC Berkeley, had the privilege of getting an informal theological education at Ridley Theological college by auditing classes, and has a Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Fuller Seminary.

    Likes: gardening/herbal remedies/sourdough baking/morning walks/running/dancing/speaking french/hiking/bird watching/Thai food/my cat Stephen

    Dislikes: pulling weeds/cleaning the shower/action scenes in movies/processed foods/night lights/strong scents/unexpressed expectations

    amy [at] missiocc.org

Wayne Chen | Minister of Worship & Outreach

  • Wayne oversees the corporate worship experience and outreach efforts at Missio. He grew up in sunny Southern California, left the sun to study International Economics at Georgetown University, then found his way back to the sun to earn a Master of Divinity at Fuller Seminary. Prior to serving at Missio, Wayne served as a pastoral intern in C&MA and Vineyard contexts. Wayne enjoys cultivating sacred spaces where people find a home in Christ and with Christ’s people, encounter God’s Spirit, and live out their callings. 


    Likes: reading / mangos / Hebrew / San Antonio Spurs / J.S. Bach / prayer / solitude / people / Uniqlo / bouldering / cities / lattes / St. Ignatius / Kendrick Lamar / Seattle Seahawks / tulips / sourdough / neutral colors / Isaiah / Taiwanese breakfast / pistachio ice cream / sharing

    Dislikes: unfilled Brita pitchers / “Revelations” not “Revelation” / unorganized spaces / capitalism / receiving books I’ll never read / dull knives / being uncleanly shaven / tardiness

    wayne [at] @missiocc.org

Elders:

Michael Dao, Albert Wandui, Chris Harper, and Saharai Caldera

OUR MINISTRY PARTNERS