Small Town News

Methodists welcome new pastor

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New Feather River Parish Cooperative Pastor Youngrae Kim hails originally from Seoul, South Korea, one of the largest, most prosperous and technologically advanced cities in the world.

Yet, growing up amidst all the hustle and bustle, the noise and traffic jams, he always longed for life in a small town. His journey in Christ has led him to Plumas County, and Kim likes it; he likes the feel of it, the contemplative silence.

Pastor Kim first came to the United States in 2000, with his wife of two years, Youngkim.

They lived in a dormitory while for four years he attended the Wesley Theological Seminary of Washington, D.C.

His favorite parts of the national capitol area were all of the museums, the most impressive of which was the Holocaust Museum.

He was also impressed by the diversity of people who lived there and worked together for peace.

While he attended the university, he also worked in youth ministries.

After seminary, Kim entered the ministry in San Jose as associate pastor of the Korean United Methodist Church of Santa Clara Valley, where his adult ministry began--another stage in his preparation for becoming a pastor.

There he was involved with youth, young couples and senior citizens. He met many kinds of people in different age groups, which he said was a very good way to grow and become a more mature pastor while practicing what he learned in seminary.

While there he gained an understanding of immigrant people, some new and many from 40-50 years ago.

There were 700 church members there--a "pretty-good sized church," he said.

As in Seoul, there were many people with high-tech jobs with companies like Samsung, LG and other major electronics manufacturers.

Kim liked the weather in San Jose and the diversity of the people. "It's not so diverse here," he said of Plumas County. "But the people have been very kind and warm and welcoming.

He's also noticed people here are not as busy and unconcerned as city people can be. "The economy is so down, and some people are frustrated or in difficult situations," he said, "I would like to share with them the hope of the Gospel.

"The most important thing in Christian life is relationship," he said. "And so many suffer from broken relationships in their families, their churches, workplaces and communities."

He would like his ministry to restore those relationships, first with God. "A strong relationship with God is important, the center of our faith life," he said.

Scripture, meditation, prayer and serving others are all important in the development of that relationship.

"So our motives should be to love God, to love ourselves and love others," he said emphatically.

That is how he will work on his ministry, with the Bible, prayer and service to others in the community.

Although Kim was raised in a traditional church, he likes to incorporate some contemporary and modern elements into his ministry, especially with music.

Community choir members have begun their season of practices and performances, and September will feature folk music, including a Korean folk song his wife and his mother, Choonduk, will help teach.

The Kims, their children Timothy, 8, and Daniel, 4, and Choonduk will host an open house after parish-wide services Sunday, Sept. 13, from 3-5 p.m., at the parsonage in Greenville, behind the church, on Pine Street.

For more information, call Pastor Youngrae Kim at 284-7316.



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© 2009 The Chester Progressive Chester, California. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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