Jae-Woong Chang

Since I came to the USA in 1993, I have studied at Claremont School of Theology and Boston University School of Theology. I have served at four immigrant Korean churches in Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York. I earned three masters degrees and a Ministry Doctorate from Yonsei University (Master of Theology) in Seoul, South Korea;  Claremont School of Theology (Master of Religious Education and Doctor of Ministry); and Boston University School of Theology (STM). My professional Ministry Doctorate project at LA Claremont School of Theology was “Overcoming conflict in the Korean Immigrant Church: In pursuit of Renewal and Reconciliation” (May, 1998).

As soon as I graduated from Claremont School of Theology and earned my doctorate degree in May of 1998, I started teaching at Global Leaders University and Methodist Seminary located in Los Angeles as a professor in the field of leadership (conflict management). During my ministry in California, I worked for Christian Herald USA as a missionary journalist and later became the chief planning editor of the paper. Currently, I am serving at Heavenly Vision Community Church since July of 2017 and as an elder with full connection in the New York Annual Conference of United Methodist Church. Prior to coming to Maryland, I served as a senior pastor in Connecticut at the Central United Methodist Church and Long Island United Methodist Church for over 12 years.

The Korean immigrant Church has been the center of Korean-American society since the early period of Korean immigration to the U.S. This is because of most of the first immigrants were Christians and established their community around the Church in the U.S. Later immigrants have done the same because the Church has been culturally attractive place.

Koreans are now in a significant period of their church life, namely, a period of self-examination, union and renewing of existing churches. New trends and future prospects go along with self-criticism. The renewal of the church overcoming conflict should take place and be based on self-evaluation and self-study projects. If they are to carry out the mission of the Church effectively, the churches must be renewed through self-examination.

The Korean Church is the most important institution in the Korean community. Although the Korean Immigrant Church is confronted with the seriousness of schism, the Church nevertheless has sent its roots deep into Korean hearts and it will bear much fruit. I feel that it is our task to channels our resources to renew Church and its ministry. The challenges are great, but satisfying as well, since God will be always with us.

My main ministry concern are how to overcome conflict in the Korean Immigrant Church to pursue renewal and reconciliation, how to heal and help the people who are in conflict by the power of the Holy Spirit, and how to overcome the divisions caused by our the multi-ethnic society, racism, hunger, economic war, and conflicts.

I would like to give thanks to the living God who led me to Korean United Methodist church to do my best in carrying out God’s pastoral ministry during the past lives.