Welcome Pastor Lim!

 

            I was born in South Korea the youngest of two sons and three daughters in the environment of a Christian family. Christianity, especially Methodist, came to Korea in 1885, and I’m a third-generation Christian in my family. Until junior high school, my dream was to become a scientist. That goal changed in ninth grade. There was a revival in my church at that time. On the last day, I remained in the sanctuary after the service and prayed. Suddenly I experienced the Holy Spirit and felt a strong desire to be a pastor. Thus, I entered the department of theology at Yonsei University.

           While studying theology, my faith and perspective changed. I was very conservative and exclusive and had a narrow perspective. Initially, I had experienced an inner struggle because of the difference between my faith and perspective and my new learning. I doubted my belief in faith and the existence of God. However, I overcame the struggle and doubt through discussions with professors, pastors, and friends, and the prayers of my parents. Through continuing study, I gained a new, broader, and open perspective.

           God’s presence and help continued throughout my life. Through God’s guidance, I met a pastor who supported my idea to study abroad. Yet, in spite of his mentoring and support, I could not visualize myself in another country. He continued to encourage me, saying, “If you have the desire and pray to God, God will help you.” My dream was finally realized in 1997 when God led me to Boston where I began my studies at Boston University.

Through God, I continued to meet good, kind, and caring people. Whenever I faced difficulties, God steered me in the direction of good people, especially great pastors. This was evident when I served as a Christian education director at the Korean Church in Worcester.  While there, I met a Korean pastor and liked his style of ministry which I hoped to use as my model.

           After his departure, the church experienced conflict with a new pastor. I always returned home with a broken heart. At that time, I met a pastor who became my first mentor. I discussed everything with him; he answered my questions and prayed for me. I began to attend worship at his church and listened to and enjoyed his sermons. That experience helped me to overcome many difficulties.

           Through these experiences, I felt that it was the local church ministry to which God called me. Before this, I was more interested in studying, but God had a different plan for me. God led me into ministry. I began ministry in 2001 when I was appointed to St. Nicholas United Methodist Church in Hull, Massachusetts as a local pastor. Since then, I have served Weymouth UMC, Weymouth, MA, Lisbon UMC, Lisbon Falls, ME, Faith UMC, Chicopee, MA, and Greenland UMC, Greenland, NH.

While serving the church, I felt that I needed to grow in ministry. Thus, I began the program of Doctor of Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2011. I have learned pastoral skills. However, it was very hard to finish the degree program while I served the church as a full-time pastor. I could not write a thesis for the degree and did not finish the degree.

           Finally, I want to introduce my family. I married my wife, Eunyoung Choi on December 26, 1996. Eunyoung is my best adviser and helper in my ministry. Because she studied theology and because she is the pastor’s daughter, she knew the church and ministry well. Through our conversations, she gives me many good ideas.

Although the doctor told us that we didn’t have a chance of having a baby, God gave us the most precious gifts, two daughters. My first daughter, Janet, just graduated from Clark University. My second daughter is Laura, and she graduated from Portsmouth High School and will start Skidmore College in the fall.

           I thank God for allowing me to serve the churches and their people. Also, I thank God for all the things that He has given me in the past, now, and will provide in the future.