Arum Kim

St. Thomas  UMC

Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Graham Road UMC in the Arlington District

Family: Living in Springfield with husband Joon Shin, two daughters–one born this summer!, and two giant cats. 

What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Having fun with the youth group!

What are you most passionate about in ministry? Building a church as a place for all generations where new disciples, both young & old, are continuously born and raised

What was your very first job? Posting fliers and signs on the streets

Fun fact about you: I have a black belt in Judo!

Donna W. Taylor

Spirit & Life

Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: An Associate Minister from First Agape Baptist Community of Faith in Alexandria

Family: Our family enjoys friendly competition by playing scrabble and monopoly. As early as age 5 or 6 the children increase their vocabulary and learn to ‘negotiate’ real estate deals – lessons for life and living!

What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Spirit & Life a recent church plant, embodies Christ and embraces the multicultural diversity of Dumfries, VA through outreach to non-profit organizations that serve and seek new beginnings for persons living in the local homeless shelter.

What are you most passionate about in ministry? Spirit and Life Church is bold about its mission for diversity and to authentically encounter Jesus Christ through worship and small groups for lives of service.

What was your very first job? In my first job, I served as a junior counselor at a summer day camp for a vibrant group of preschoolers near my home in the Bronx, New York.

Fun fact about you: Before COVID-19, I would swim laps from 7a.m. to 9 a.m. from Monday – Saturdays at the local Gold’s Gym. Since the pandemic, I walk 2 miles around my neighborhood instead, 5 or 6 days a week.

Hyungkyun Kim

Christ Church

Kameron M. Wilds

Rising Hope Mission Church

Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Smith Memorial UMC

Family: My wife is Samantha (5th Grade Teacher at Stratford Landing Elementary), Two children ages 6 & 4.

What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? I am eagerly looking forward to living out my theology with my neighbors along the Rt. 1 corridor.

What are you most passionate about in ministry? My passions in ministry intersect Asset Based Community Development, Social Entrepreneurship, and God’s love and identification amongst the poor. I look forward to partnering alongside the members and community guests at Rising Hope.

What was your very first job? Dishwasher at a little dive restaurant when I was 15.

Fun fact about you: I am an avid collector of sport memorabilia.

Matthew J. Benton

Bethel (Woodbridge)

Michael W. Plasters

St. Matthew’s  UMC

Minoo Kim

Saint Mark’s-Commonwealth

Sandi Benton Plasters

St. George’s  UMC

Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Lead Pastor in another District

Family:Daughter- just graduated high school. Two dogs – Gracie (2-year-old Golden Retriever), and Cricket (8-year-old mini Dachshund)

What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? In-person worship

What are you most passionate about in ministry? Empowering others

What was your very first job? Hostess at Denny’s

Fun fact about you: My parents named me Sandi because I was born in Virginia Beach.

Sean D. Gundry

Buckhall

Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Gainesville (Associate)

Family: Wife, Robin – 2 kids,  (4) and (2) and one dog, Peanut (Dachshund, Basset, Beagle mix)

What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? Being able to worship in person again – helping them construct a vision and plan for reaching new people for Christ.

What are you most passionate about in ministry? Reaching new people for Christ & serving in mission

What was your very first job? Soccer refereeing

Fun fact about you: I coached high school basketball for 10 years

Sung Il Yoo

Sudley

Church (or other job/position/school) from which you came: Regester Chapel UMC in Stafford

Family: I live with my wife, and we have one son who is going to JMU this fall.

What are you most excited about for the coming year at your new church? an opportunity for spiritual awakening

What are you most passionate about in ministry? laying spiritual foundation

What was your very first job? youth pastor

Fun fact about you: I love music, playing instruments including guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, and drum.