Who We Are
We are a Christian community, inviting all to encounter God, growing together to be more like Christ, and overflowing his love to the world in our everyday lives. We would love you to join us in exploring the intersection of faith and life. Find out how a relationship with Jesus can make a difference in your life.
MEET THE TEAM
Our Leadership
English Pastor Robert Jeon
Aejin and Rob’s life is a testament to God’s providential timing. After meeting at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, they combined their distinct gifts—Aejin’s heart for music and Rob’s passion for community—to dedicate over 40 years to the Lord’s service. Rob’s journey is defined by God’s persistent pursuit. Through the collapse of the dot-com boom and the 2008 banking crisis, the Holy Spirit revealed the frailty of worldly security, shifting Rob’s heart from financial ambition to eternal purpose. By God’s grace, Rob transitioned from the corporate world to full-time ministry, eventually being led to Danville Chinese Bible Church. Where he met Jerry Wong. Who brought him to this wonderful church. Today, they remain humbled by how God transformed their individual paths into a shared mission for His Kingdom.
Cantonese Pastor Simon Cheng
Simon grew up in Hong Kong, and finished his college and MBA in U.S., where he accepted Christ and met his wife Teresa. After working as a financial expert in a leading consulting firm for twenty years, Simon sensed the call and began to equip himself for full-time ministry. He completed the Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary; and was ordained by Dr. Chuck Swindoll at Stonebriar Church. Simon has served as lead Cantonese pastor at Sunset Church; and other roles with churches in LA, Dallas and Hong Kong. Simon’s passion is with teaching and discipleship. He also enjoys traveling with Teresa to different places where they can relax, sightsee interesting places, and try various local food.
Mandarin Pastor “Obed” Zhen Zhang
Obed Zhang was born in Harbin, China. He went to church with his mother in elementary school and accepted Christ after he graduated from high school. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Information Management and Information Systems in Beijing and working for many years, he and his wife were called by the Lord and started theological training in 2018. In May 2021, he obtained a Master of Divinity from Christian Witness Theological Seminary. He loves reading and music. He and his wife Eunice have a son named Timothy.
Worship Minister Joni Yee
Joni Yee joined the pastoral staff at Southbay in 2010. She has a MA in Pastoral Care to Women and many years of leading worship. Joni has a passion for leading worship, mentoring students and reading good books. As a teacher, she loves to experience the moment when something suddenly “clicks” for a student and it changes his or her life. Joni and her husband Simon enjoy analyzing music and debating about theology, eating gourmet food and taking their sons on new adventures.
Cantonese Minister Tiffani Barker
Tiffani migrated to the US with her family from Hong Kong when she was a teenager. While in high school she was introduced to Jesus and has committed to follow and to serve Him since then. After she graduated from high school she joined the USMC. She heeded God’s leading to pursue a BA in Biblical Studies at The Master’s College upon her honorable discharge from the military. It was also while serving in the military that she met her husband David. Together they have two daughters, Moriah and Asriel. After she had finished homeschooling their daughters through high school Tiffani went back to school and graduated with a MA in Biblical Studies from The Master’s University. She enjoys reading, writing, and hiking.
Children’s Director Sophia Roberts
Sophia Roberts grew up in Malaysia and received Christ as her personal savior when she was 16 years old. Sophia has been working with children since 2012 as a teacher and got her Registered Behavior Technician certificate in 2018. Sophia has a passion to work with people and help anyone she can because we are all God’s children! She loves to share her knowledge and experience with kids and learns a lot from her time with them as well. Sophia holds an MDiv from Christian Witness Theology Seminary (CWTS) and uses what she learned in all areas of her life including her work and activities.
Youth Minister Randy Nguyen
Randy grew up in San Bruno, CA from a non-Christian home. He was introduced to Christianity in high school and grew in his faith with the encouragement of a few good friends. Although he had initially planned to build a career in STEM, God called Randy into ministry after college. Since then, Randy has served in and piloted several youth ministries. He is particularly passionate about shepherding and teaching the youth fellowships and WAKC here at Southbay. Randy received his MDiv from Western Seminary. He is hoping and his wife, Stephanie are parents to two little daughters.
Our Church
Southbay Chinese Baptist Church (SCBC) began in 1980, when twelve Christians came together in Milpitas with a shared heart to serve the local Chinese community and reach Chinese people around the world. They first gathered in a home, and as the group grew, they started renting space in another church to hold Cantonese worship services. In 1992, an English worship service was added, helping the church welcome and connect with even more people.
Over the years, God’s church grew, continuing its mission to the Chinese, but also expanding its focus to serve those in the surrounding community. In 2015 we changed our name to “Southbay Community Baptist Church” to highlight our emphasis on caring for the local community. A Mandarin service was added in 2018. Southbay now has three groups who speak different languages (English, Cantonese and Mandarin), but we are still one church with the same love for God. Children’s Programs have also grown over the years, including a summer day camp designed to be a safe place for the neighborhood kids to encounter the love of Christ.