Our Pastor
Rev. Joseph Kim

 

Welcome! I’m so glad you’ve visited our website.

I’d like to introduce myself and my faith journey to you. I hope this introduction may begin to build a bridge between us.

I was born and raised in S. Korea and came to America to go to college. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington (BA in Sociology in 1990), Dallas Theological Seminary (Master of Theology in 1996) and Perkins School of Theology of SMU (Master of Divinity in 2000). In 2000 I was appointed to Dolgeville/Oppenheim United Methodist Church in Herkimer County, NY, then in 2004 to Elmira UMC: Centenary/Webb Mills, in 2007 to New Beginnings in Elmira, in 2008  to Fulton: State Street UMC and then in 2011 to Phoenix UMC along with State Street. I have been serving Manlius United Methodist Church since July 1, 2013.

I have my “suitable companion,” my wife, Jisun (“Sunny”) to whom I’ve been married since 1991. We have three children – Ezra, Abe, and Candace. (picture is taken at Ezra’s High School graduation in 2011)

Why did I want to be a pastor?
A BIG question. But briefly speaking, I was called by God. That sounds very simple, doesn't it? To me, however, it doesn't. I never thought I could be a pastor. I felt I was not qualified. In fact, I didn’t want to be a pastor. If there was any occupation for me to avoid, it would be a pastor. I’d rather be a lay missionary or “tent-maker.” But God put heavy burdens on my heart for becoming a pastor for years and finally I gave up and followed God’s call.

There are many meaningful moments in my ministries. But it all comes

to one word, “transformation.” My joy is to see people coming to know the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, grow in their faith, find their values and life purposes in Christ, and enjoy serving the Lord.

What do I expect to see happen at the Manlius UMC?
One of the Bible verses that keeps me going in God’s ministry is, “With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). So what do I expect? At least, I expect three things to happen at this church from this verse.

  • First, dream. I expect that the church dreams a big dream (God’s dream) and has a big imagination for the sake of God and God’s kingdom.
  • Second, prayer. I also expect that our dreams turn out to be prayers to God. Dreams and prayers have to go hand in hand to experience God’s mighty presence. So I expect our church to be a House of Prayer.
  • Power.  Finally, I expect that God’s mighty power would work in us so that God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” (Mark 9:23, The Message) I expect that every member of this church would say, “Anything is possible with God!”

My dear friend, thank you for taking time to get to know me. I’m so glad you and I walk the same WAY, know the same TRUTH, and have the same LIFE. If you haven’t found a church family yet or are looking for one, I’d like to invite you to our worship service. We, Manlius United Methodist Church, have a place for you to belong; we’re more than ready to be a part of your life journey. Let us grow together! Let us serve together!

Grace and peace!
Pastor Joseph

For further inquiry, you may request the CDs on which I have shared my call to ministry with this congregation.