• Pastor

    I grew up in the countryside of South Korea. As a farm boy, I used to work with my parents in the pig and cow farms, rice fields, strawberry and watermelon patches. Upon coming to the United States and completing my Master of Divinity degree, I fell in love with scripture-based, spirit-filled, intellectually compelling, and traditionally innovative Wesleyan theology. I served youth and college groups at Atlanta Bethany UMC in Sugar Hill, Georgia from 2006-2013. After coming to Berkeley, California, I served youth and children’s ministry at Berkeley Korean UMC in Oakland from 2013 to 2018. Previously, I served at San Ramon Grace UMC as a solo pastor (2018-2021) and at Santa Rosa First United Methodist Church as an Associate Pastor. With a passion for serving others, my ministry is focused on deepening the relationships with one another and with God.

    I have a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Yonsei University (Seoul, South Korea), a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Candler School of Theology, Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia), and a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from Graduate Theological Union (Berkeley, California). I previously taught courses at the Jesuit School of Theology/Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and Holy Names University and Oikos University in Oakland. With the hope to bridge between church and academia, I am also serving as Editor-in-Chief of Asian American Theological Forum since its inception in 2014 (https://aatfweb.org). I am the author of the book, Intergroup Conflict, Recategorization, and Identity Construction in Acts: Breaking the Cycle of Slander, Labelling, and Violence, published in 2023 through T&T Clark Bloomsbury's Library of New Testament Studies.

    I am married to Da Hye Jung who has expertise in children’s ministries and music (Soprano). My 7-year-old son, Luke, is full of energy, curiosity, and personality, and my 5-year-old daughter, Phoebe, is fearless and sometimes clueless. I used to be a Hawks fan, had a conversion to Warriors after coming to the Bay Area, and experienced no backsliding ever since.

    Publications

    Intergroup Conflict, Recategorization, and Identity Construction in Acts: Breaking the Cycle of Slander, Labeling and Violence. Library of New Testament Studies 691. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2024.

    “‘Who can speak for me?’ David’s Ten Concubines and the Case for Comfort Women,” in Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, II, Texts@Contexts, ed., Athalya Brenner-Idan and Gale A. Yee (New York: T&T Clark, 2021), 31-42

    "Architecture & Preaching: An Analysis & Praxis" in Arts & Preaching: An Invitation to Spirit-Filled Creativity, ed., Sunggu Yang (Eugene, OR: Cascade), forthcoming.

    "The Future of American Progressive Christianity: A Korean-American’s Reflection on Romans 12:2" in Everyday Ethics, Everyday Practices: Asian and Asian American Theological Perspectives, ed., David Kwon (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock), forthcoming.

    “Minjung in the Sinking of the Sewol Ferry: A Reading of Luke 10:25-42 from Minjung Theology’s Perspective.” Korea Presbyterian Journal of Theology, Vol. 48 No. 3 (2016. 9): 59-79

    *Please visit www.aatfweb.org and read my other online publications.

  • Office Manager & Children's Ministry Coordinator

    Emily Malott is a dedicated member of our office staff and also serves as our Children's Ministry Coordinator. She loves helping others and has a passion for teaching, which is why she loves leading our SonShine Kids Sunday School class. Emily was practically born into church as the granddaughter of a former missionary and pastor, so she has followed Christ her entire life. She looks forward to meeting you and assisting you however she can!

  • Video & Sound Technician

    Larry Badger oversees sound, lighting, streaming and video production here at the Yuba City First United Methodist Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Fresno State University in Radio, Television and Film production and is retired from a life in journalism after 42 years as a reporter then editor at The Appeal-Democrat newspaper.

    He accepted Christ in 1972. He has an extensive background in technical theater, particularly sound and lighting. He help found the Joyful Sounds sound company in the late 1990s.

  • Punjabi Congregation Leader

  • Choir Director & Pianist

    Hi, my name is Alice Epler and I serve as choir director/pianist.  I began playing for church services at the age of three, under the direction of the choir director.  Music and a variety of other church ministries  including:  directing several children's choirs, directing 3 bell choirs, church pianist at 6 churches in 63 years.  I also have experience outside the church.  Toured with an evangelistic group for 5 years as pianist, vocal director, and coach,  music arranger, and auditioned potential additions to group.  I toured 2 years with a solo career and between the group and myself I've recorded 4 albums.  4 summers on Broadway; and 3 years as a studio musician providing background vocals for the popular country stars of the 70;s. Education:  B.A. in music pedagogy, B.A. in vocal science, and performance, B.A. in choral and instrumental conducting.

  • Youth Coordinator

    Melinda “Mindy” Poukish is our Lay Leader and coordinates our youth ministry here at the Yuba City First United Methodist Church of Yuba City. In seventh grade, she accepted Christ at a Youth Winter Retreat.  She was very active in our Youth Group, and as a senior, she was the student leader of our youth Mexico team to Merida.  While in college she participated in two short-term mission trips that led to the beginning of her career in Marketing/PR as a Strategy Coordinator with the Peace Corps. 

    Over the last thirty years of her career, she has gained experience in corporate, as Director of Marketing at Xerox, and non-profit, as Director of Christian Growth at FUMC YC, environments.  She currently owns a business that evaluates corporate branding and data handling compliance.  She has coordinated youth ministry since 2005, and her fourteen-year background in coordinating Worship Arts, Evangelism, Cross-Cultural Ministry, and Ministry Programs was vital in connecting our youth to experience ministry in our church and beyond.  Currently, while the Youth Corner is being created, she actively communicates and connects the youth of our community to our church.