The Rev. Edward Lik-Yuen Lai is born in Hong Kong, China. When he first felt called to preach the Gospel to the whole wide world, he was terrified! He said "no", but God kept pushing him until he broke. It has been 6 years since he first preached that sermon in front of a small congregation in Hong Kong. Now, Edward Lai has certainly forgot what that sermon was about; but he has not forgotten what God had called for Him to do.

Reverend Lai is the first national youth director of the Evangelical Christian Church, he was appointed by the Rev. Dr. Gary Barkman, Senior Presiding Pastor of the Evangelical Christian Church on March, 2003. Reverend Lai first joined Dayspring as the Regional Presiding Pastor for the East Coast.

The Reverend has a passion to serve the troubled youths and people underserved, he spends a whole lot of time on the urban streets of New York to speak with youths in needs and to spread the Gospel to troubled teens! He is a Godly man with much love for Gods people, and never claims credit for his doing to the communities of America. He is the founder and Chairman for Against Rape Coalition, the coalition has received more than 50 proclamations from Cities such as Austin, Boston and Granbury, and States such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Ed, as the Reverend like to be called, grew up in a Christian family in Hong Kong. He was a gangster when he was 14, and was infamous for his behavior and acts of violent. He left Hong Kong when he was 17, and dedicated his life to Christ in Malaysia when he realized that nothing matters more than God and how much he needed the father at that time. He broke down in tears, and begged God for forgiveness. He was called to preach the Gospel when he was 18, and has been serving ever since.

Pastor Ed's background is very interesting indeed. He grew up in a Presbyterian Church, re-affirms his faith in a Southern Baptist Church and served as a youth pastor, ordained in an Assembly of God Church as well as Evangelical Christian Church; he now serves as a Ruling Elder and Bishop here at Dayspring and Bishop-Elect of Pastoral Service at International Circle of Faith. The Reverend has claimed that he is conservative and open-minded at the same time, depends on the particular issue in hand.

A proud Alumni of San Marcos Baptist Academy and a published Poet; The Reverend has received numerous awards for his services to the Lord, including Who's Who of Global Leaders 2003, Who's Who of Asian Americans 2003, an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Christian Ministry Institute of Texas as well as an Honorary degree from Yorker International University, a Commission as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Paul E. Patton, a commission as Ambassador of Good Will of Tennessee, a commission as Admiral of the Great Navy of Nebraska, Presidents Volunteer Services Gold Award, and a Commendation from the Governor of New Jersey. He is a member of the National Network of Youth Ministries, and he is a Certified Advanced Pastoral Counselor of American Association of Christian Therapists.

Reverend Lai attended Hardin-Simmons University, University of Maryland University College and Trinity College of the Bible; currently he is studying for his M. Min at Masters Graduate School of Divinity.