A single moment during a service trip to an island completely changed the direction of my life. As a college student, I was an inexperienced volunteer who complained about the heat, humidity, limited water, and uncomfortable conditions. Though I claimed to be “serving” elderly women with physical limitations, I often caused them more trouble than help. After the work was finished, however, one of the women I had assisted offered a heartfelt prayer of blessing for me. I was deeply shaken. I had imagined myself helping others from a higher place, but in truth I was the one receiving grace from below. That grace of being brought low led me toward pastoral ministry and gave me my first real experience of the power of the message of the cross.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)
Since then, God has guided me faithfully. I entered theological studies at Calvin Theological Seminary and, especially through ministry at Hahn-In, learned the practice of pastoral care and experienced vividly how the gospel frees and transforms our lives.
Looking back, I faced many frustrations during two years of master’s study beginning in 2012 and the nine years of doctoral work that followed. Yet God faithfully shaped me into a pastor through the gospel and through the community of faith. I can only confess that all this grace of God continues in my life today.
Now, as senior pastor, I desire to run alongside our congregation in the power and joy of the gospel alone. My prayer is that our community will serve one another through the power of the cross and grow into a beautiful church that delights God.
Rev. Kyung Phil Kim, Senior Pastor
