Chris keen to cross barriers

Wednesday, 02 December 2009

By REBECCA GARDINER

PRIVILEGED TO PREACH: Pastor Chris Kim, with wife Joy and youngest daughter Shalom. Times photo Wayne Martin.

• Howick and Botany TimesSERVING God and his community is a privilege for church pastor Chris Kim.Mr Kim has been ordained as a Korean minister at a special ceremony in front of church officials, family, friends and fellow parishioners of East City Life Church in Pakuranga.The husband and father-of-three believes that becoming a minister is humbling and a “great honour” to his family.“Now I am recognised in the Korean community and society as a pastor,” says Mr Kim, who lives in Howick. “It is important in Korean society. “It’s my dedication as a servant of God in public.”He says he felt a mixture of emotions leading up to his ordination.“It is a very honourable position before God but it is very difficult. “There will be many challenges, and I must think about others first before myself.”He preaches alongside Pastor Martin Proffitt at East City Life, which meets at Elm Park School on Gossamer Drive.People from South Africa, Samoa, Korea and Malaysia are among those who attend the multi-ethnic Pentecostal church.“I like the bridge between the different cultures,” says Mr Kim.“It is my privilege to serve different cultures.” Instead of running separate services in different languages, sermons are combined and all parishioners are present at once.“I translate for them [the Korean members of the church]. “Pastor Martin and I want to see changes in our community. “Whether you’re a Kiwi, Korean or South African, God wants us to all be together as one,” says Mr Kim.

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Chris keen to cross barriers