Korean American Immigrant Churches Becoming Pastoral Launchpads for Korea’s Megachurches

Pastor Kim Woo-Jun to Leave U.S. Church for Korea’s Global Mission Church

Kim Woo-Jun, 48, senior pastor of Torrance Good Church, has been confirmed as the fourth head pastor of Global Mission Church in Bundang, Korea. The church, with over 30,000 members, is one of Korea’s most influential megachurches. Kim’s appointment marks his departure from the Korean American church community after serving nearly eight years in Torrance.

While some view the news as a sign that Korean American pastors are gaining recognition, reactions within the local congregation suggest a different story. Kim informed his church of the transition only on April 13, less than a week before the final confirmation—leaving many congregants surprised and saddened.

Criticism of Sudden and One-Sided Recruitment Process

When contacted for an interview, Kim declined, citing the emotional toll his departure was having on church members. According to church representatives, many congregants were caught off guard. This kind of last-minute notice reflects what some describe as “guerrilla-style recruitment,” a practice not uncommon in the Korean church community, where most major decisions are made behind closed doors long before any formal announcement.

Though the term “calling” (청빙) implies a spiritual invitation, in practice, the process often resembles secular recruitment. Global Mission Church claimed to have held multiple open meetings and listened to its members in selecting a new pastor. However, there is no indication that the same level of transparency was extended to the sending church in the U.S. This imbalance raises questions about the fairness and accountability of such transitions.

Pattern of Pastor Departures Reflects Broader Trend

The case of Pastor Kim is not unique. Over the past decade, a number of Korean American pastors—including Oh Jung-Hyun, Kim Seung-Wook, Lee Moon-Jang, Hong Min-Ki, Jin Jae-Hyuk, Son Byung-Ryul, Lim Hyung-Chun, and Yoo Jin-So—have left U.S. pulpits for prominent churches in Korea. Even Kim’s predecessor at Global Mission Church, Choi Sung-Eun, came from First Baptist Church of Tacoma in Washington state.

This trend reflects Korea’s growing demand for bilingual, globally minded pastors. But it also reinforces a troubling pattern: as soon as Korean American pastors gain visibility, they are often recruited by Korean megachurches, reducing U.S. congregations to mere launching pads for pastoral careers.

Immigrant Churches Facing a Crisis of Continuity

The current landscape for Korean American immigrant churches is rapidly changing. Many churches are closing, and those that remain face internal divides between first-generation immigrants and younger generations. In this shifting environment, the role of 1.5- and second-generation pastors has never been more critical. These leaders often possess the cultural and linguistic fluency needed to bridge generational gaps.

However, just as these pastors begin to distinguish themselves, they are recruited away—leaving behind churches struggling with instability and identity. The long-term impact, especially on smaller congregations, is one of pastoral vacuum and emotional fatigue.

Can Immigrant Churches Be a Final Destination, Not a Stepping Stone?

Each pastor and congregation faces unique circumstances, and a move to Korea is not inherently negative. Yet the pattern raises a difficult question:
Can Korean American immigrant churches ever be seen as a final calling—rather than just a stepping stone toward bigger platforms?

Departing pastors may carry visions for broader impact in Korea. But what remains is a stark reality: immigrant churches are left to carry the weight of repeated departures, often without the time or resources to prepare for what comes next.