History of Higher Connection Church
HCC began as a natural and progressive outgrowth of the ministry of Global Mission Church of Greater Washington D.C. (GMC). When GMC first began in 1974 (as First Korean Baptist Church), the church focused primarily on the first-generation Korean-speaking community and immigrant families.
As the years passed, the English-speaking children began to graduate from high school and college, and a need arose to minister to this new and growing population. In response to this important need, GMC began an English ministry that focused on the second-generation Korean-Americans living and working in the Washington D.C. metro area. It began as an informal English ministry of GMC in the late 1980s until a formal English speaking ministry was formed in March 1, 1991 called Covenant Chapel with Rev. Paul Park established as the first full-time pastor.
Today, we range from families with children to college students. HCC is comprised of mostly Korean-Americans, but we welcome all nationalities and ethnic groups. More so, we come together as one body and one family for the greater purpose of glorifying and knowing the only true God, and fulfilling His great Commission (Matthew 28).
Higher Connection Church Timeline
| Nov. 10, 1974 | First Korean Baptist Church began its first worship service using the facilities of Kensington Baptist Church. |
| Aug. 1, 1983 | Rev. Daniel Lee arrives from Korea to be the new Senior Pastor of First Korean Baptist Church. |
| Mar. 1, 1991 | English-speaking congregation was formed as Covenant Chapel with Rev. Paul Park as the EM Pastor. |
| Jan. 1, 1992 | Rev. Man Poong (Dennis) Kim was appointed as the Education and Counseling Pastor of First Korean Baptist Church. |
| Jul. 1, 1993 | Rev. Soo Chang becomes the second EM Senior Pastor. |
| Nov. 1, 1993 | Rev. Dennis Kim becomes the Senior Pastor of First Korean Baptist Church. |
| Jan. 1, 1994 | First Korean Baptist Church name is changed to Global Mission Church of Greater Washington D.C. |
| Jan. 1, 1996 | Rev. Michael Choi becomes the third EM Senior Pastor. |
| Sep. 3, 2000 | Rev. David Lee becomes the fourth EM Senior Pastor. |
| Nov. 4, 2001 | EM congregation, Covenant Chapel, changes name to Harmony Hills Community Church. Worships at Harmony Hills Elementary School. |
| May 7, 2006 | Harmony Hills Community Church moves back to worship at Global Mission Church at 1:30 p.m. in the Covenant Chapel. |
| Nov. 1, 2006 | Rev. James Byun becomes the fifth EM Lead Pastor. |
| Jan. 20, 2008 | Harmony Hills Community Church worships at Agape Chapel at 11:30 a.m. |
| Feb. 3, 2008 | Harmony Hills Community Church officially changes its designation from EM (English Ministry) to EC (English Congregation). |
| Nov. 9, 2008 | Harmony Hills Community Church changes name to Higher Connection Church. |
| June 21, 2009 | Higher Connection adds second worship service. Two worship services take place on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2010 | The International Ministry (IM) of GMC joins with Higher Connection Church. The third worship service is added. Three worship services take place on Sundays at 10:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 21, 2010 | Higher Connection Worship Band releases its debut album, “Fit for a King.” |
| May 13, 2010 | Ps40 (College Ministry of HCC) becomes officially recognized on campus of University of Maryland College Park as a student organization called Higher Connection Fellowship. |
