The small parking lot nestled beside South White Horse Pike in Egg Harbor, NJ, was packed. A few cars overflowed onto the roadside as more than 60 guests arrived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Korean United Methodist Church of South Jersey, affectionately known as “Namboo” Korean UMC. The modest sanctuary, repurposed from a former residential office, usually welcomes around 20 worshippers each Sunday. But today, every seat was filled with a few guests standing in the back.
The air was thick with a sense of renewal and unity as congregants, many traveling from afar, gathered to honor a church that had endured division, loss, and, ultimately, healing. Leading them in this time of transformation is Rev. Sungwoo Kim, appointed in July 2023, whose presence has helped bridge the past’s pain with hope for the future.
“These past years have been difficult,” Rev. Kim reflected. “Before I arrived, the congregation voted to disaffiliate but missed the required 66% by just one vote. There was a lot of hurt from the disaffiliation process. Misunderstandings created divisions. Those who wanted to disaffiliate left, scattering in search of new communities. Those who remained were left with wounds – a small group holding onto faith and remembering the blessings they’d received from the United Methodist Connection in the past.”
As Rev. Kim walked through each blue, upholstered church chair, he recognized that those who stayed were theologically conservative but were also committed to United Methodism’s “big tent” values. He spent the first four months on his appointment visiting every member and listening deeply. That commitment to pastoral presence began to bear fruit. “Only 15 members stayed initially, but in the months since, we have welcomed seven new members,” he shared. Among them is a couple who dressed in traditional Korean hanbok and read Scripture during the worship service in both English and Korean.
A Service of Connectional Healing
The evening’s service opened with a moving prayer from Rev. Yoseb Jeon of First UMC in Freehold, a former associate pastor of the church. As he prayed, his words rose like a balm: “Lord of power, as we move forward in faith, may this congregation be strengthened daily with new hope, especially those serving in prayer, love, and humility despite hardships.”
Rev. Sang Won Doh, the Raritan Shore District Superintendent, took the pulpit next, delivering a sermon entitled “Gospel and Gratitude.” Exploring the benefits of gratitude from a scientific and spiritual perspective, Rev. Doh reminded attendees that gratitude, more than a command, is a way of life—a lens through which to view all of God’s blessings. Drawing from his experiences with African American congregations, Rev. Doh recalled their custom of responding to “How are you?” with “I’m blessed.”
“If we sincerely cared about each other’s well-being, we’d talk about our real issues—our finances, health, relationships,” Doh said. “But to those freed by the gospel, defined not by worldly measures but by Christ’s Kingdom, those issues fall away. You may be financially broke, physically unwell, or relationally troubled, but through the gospel, you are blessed.”
The depth of his words resonated deeply. Congregants nodded, affirming that while they may face challenges, they were indeed “blessed” under Christ. The warmth and unity in the sanctuary that day felt, to many, like a renewal of purpose and belonging.
Messages of Encouragement
Following the sermon, congratulatory messages brought the congregation back to the roots and future of their faith. Rev. Taegun Wang shared a reflection, connecting the church’s 50-year milestone to the biblical Year of Jubilee, a time of restoration. “In the Bible, prophets often stood in the minority,” he reminded them. “So don’t say, ‘Oh, we’re just a few.’ Be prophetic!”
Rev. Brian Roberts, Executive Director of the Stewardship Foundation and former District Superintendent of this congregation, offered his memories with a touch of personal gratitude. With two children from South Korea, Roberts reflected on the cultural experiences the church had provided his family. “Thank you for giving my children a place to learn of their heritage, their homeland,” he said. “On behalf of my family, kamsahamnida. I pray for the next 50 years to be filled with God’s blessings and mission.”
A Shared Meal, A Shared Hope
After the service, attendees moved to a newly constructed fellowship space. The church had received the proper permits just in time for this celebration. The space, a large reception tent supported by steel beams and strung with lights, held tables laden with Korean dishes, prepared by church members. Korean and non-Korean attendees alike shared food and conversation, united by faith and shared hopes for the journey ahead.
The Next 50 Years
As the Korean United Methodist Church of South Jersey looks to the future, they see an evolving identity rooted in both tradition and growth. With the church near Atlantic City, a diverse community of both Korean and American families has begun to take shape. Rev. Kim describes a unique Sunday service: the sermon is delivered in Korean, but English translations are projected on screens and provided in printed manuscripts. For many American members—often spouses of Korean congregants—this is their church, a place where they find belonging. Some even contribute hands-on, like painting the fellowship hall.
Rev. Kim sees this as an opportunity to bridge cultures. “How can we use more English or keep our Korean identity while leaning into being more multicultural?” he dreamed aloud, envisioning ways the congregation might deepen its connection with its diverse membership.
For Rev. Kim, healing and unity in the years ahead mean holding onto the church’s identity as both Korean and United Methodist. He envisions a church that remains steadfast in its heritage but is open to the evolving dynamics of its community, blending cultures and building bridges while honoring the traditions that have shaped it.
“We are United Methodists and proud to remain,” he shared, his gratitude unmistakable. “We remember all the gifts and graces we have received and stay because of our gratitude. Now, we are the southernmost Korean church in the Greater New Jersey Conference, which is why we call ourselves the “Korean United Methodist Church of South Jersey.” Please pray for us — that we may continue to keep that name. Whether we remain a Korean church or become a multicultural church, we’re here. And there’s always a Korean lunch every Sunday!”