The Gospel creates a lasting multiethnic family of Christ.
An Unexpected Ministry Journey
From a Korean Church Youth to an American Church Pastor
I have been richly blessed with life transforming experiences and opportunities to meet truly amazing people in the service of Christ as a minister of the gospel over the past 30 years. I will always be grateful to many Korean American pastors (and fellow immigrant friends) who introduced me to Christ and helped me grow in my faith. If someone would have told me as a young believer back in 1985 that I would grow up to serve as a pastor in an American church, I would have laughed out so loud at the ridiculous thought - and derided that silly person. A pastor? In an American church? That’s absolute nonsense. But, by the grace of God, that’s exactly what happened.
I’ve had the great joy of shepherding a wonderful fellowship of believers in a PCA congregation in our beautiful city of Seattle. Believe it or not, I was the only ethnic minority in that church when I began serving. But during those challenging eight years, God began to open my eyes to the possibility - and the beauty - of a multiethnic family of Christ. That experience led me to pursue doctoral research at Covenant Seminary to explore how minority pastors overcome leadership challenges in majority culture congregations.
I often describe the process of research, discovery, and writing my dissertation by using an analogy of biblical imagery: It was like an experience of God giving me a scroll to eat. Initially, the scroll was sweet to my mouth as I was discovering the answers to help me understand what I experienced personally and institutionally as an ethnic pastor in a majority culture PCA congregation. The sense of isolation and experiences of marginalization (no matter how small or unintended) was part of the journey. The Lord was with me and blessed me through it. But then, the scroll became bitter to my soul as I saw in his Word that the Christian church should never have been divided by race but was always meant to be a multiethnic family of believers.
Ever since that experience, the multiethnic ministry rooted in the gospel that makes all things new has been my singular passion. I saw afresh in Matthew 28:18-19 that a multiethnic ministry happens when we intentionally engage our communities. That biblical conviction led to planting New City Church. During those brief five years, all of us were deeply enriched (and transformed) by the microcosm of our multiethnic life-together in the power of the gospel!
And through the intentional invitation of fellow servants with a shared vision, I’ve had the privilege of teaching and speaking about the multiethnic body of Christ in classrooms, churches, conferences, zooms, and gatherings over the years. And now, whether you’re an ethnic minority pastor, a majority culture pastor, or a team of ministry leaders, I want to help you be equipped and flourish in multiethnic ministry that flows from the wonder of the gospel.
Reach out for personalized ministry support.
Email Eddie:
hello@multiethnicity.org
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