I was born in Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the United States in 1987. Born into a family with deep roots in the Christian faith, I came to faith in Jesus Christ at the age of nine and grew steadily over the years in my local home church. Influenced heavily by my parents, a love for worship music and photography has dominated my passions and interests throughout my life.
In March and April of 2005, I traveled to Thailand to help in the rebuilding efforts following the South Asian earthquake and tsunami that devastated dozens of countries on December 26, 2004. What began as an interest in humanitarian aid ended in an undeniable calling to the mission field. Throughout my graduate studies, I traveled back to Thailand numerous times to confirm God’s calling and to clarify my vision for long-term ministry. I am a graduate of the University of Oregon (BA, Art, 2006) where I studied art and photography, and later attended Multnomah Biblical Seminary (MDiv, Intercultural/Cross-Cultural Studies, 2009) and Multnomah University (MA TESOL, 2010) for graduate theological and educational studies.
In January 2007, I began serving on the pastoral staff at Eden Presbyterian Church of Oregon, PCA, directing the Children's and English Ministry. These were sweet and fruitful years of learning, preparation, and service. My local church was by far the most challenging and rewarding of all training grounds for overseas ministry. It was also a time of growing in my relationships and love for my family – a time I look back on with extreme gratitude to the Lord.
Discipleship, in its many forms, has been essential in my development and growth as a disciple and servant-leader. Being personally mentored and coached by godly leaders as a youth, and later by missionaries as a fledgling seminary student and servant in the church, has had tremendous ongoing impact on my life and involvement in ministry. The last few years in the States were profoundly impacted by a close friend and professional coach, DA, who spent countless hours counseling and guiding me through major crossroads. A small example of the huge impact that mentoring and coaching can have on an individual. Discipleship is a calling. It is also one of the greatest gifts!
In the fall of 2012, I began my first term as a full-time worker in Bangkok, Thailand. My God-given love for music and the arts profoundly informs my calling and desire to minister to professionals in the media and entertainment industry. I am deeply committed to seeing the gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed among the Thai people through the local church, culture, and the media & entertainment industry.
Currently, I am a serving member at Grace City Bangkok, an urban church plant in the city center, focusing on discipleship, justice, worship, and women's ministries. At Grace City we seek to see the city of Bangkok and its people restored through the gospel of Jesus Christ, becoming instruments of grace, justice, and mercy in the city and for the city. We are a Reformed and covenantal church body centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ as we live out the Missio Dei and seek the welfare of the city of Bangkok and beyond.
I am commissioned by my home church, Eden Presbyterian Church of Oregon, PCA, where I served on the pastoral staff from January 2007 to October 2012. I am a partner with an international and interdenominational fellowship of Christians who use their professional skills and training to share the love of Jesus Christ with the peoples of Asia and the Arab World. As a career missionary, I am passionate about mobilizing others in their call to love God and others, and demystifying the process of becoming a missionary and being on the field.
To get in touch and learn more about Grace City Bangkok, Eden, or to inquire about professional coaching, click below.