“I wanted to give back as much as I received.”
Pastor Seok-geun Shin (67), along with three church members, provides food to the homeless in Koreatown every Saturday.
“Just a few days ago, I ordered 200 boxes of Choco Pie from Zion Market for our homeless ministry,” he said. “I collected them today (Oct. 11) and plan to distribute them this coming weekend.” Choco Pie is a snack cake consisting of two small round layers of cake with marshmallow filling and a chocolate covering.
The pastor’s generous act caught attention when a Korean American, who observed him purchasing 200 boxes of Choco Pie, reported the story to the Korea Daily. “The homeless situation is a societal issue, but serving them is our duty,” said the person who reported. “I hope the Korean American community acknowledges the compassionate endeavors of such a man.”
Recalling his challenging youth, Pastor Shin said, “I received unconditional help during those times. Inspired to give back, I initiated this ministry.” His commitment to serving the homeless has been 13 years.
Every weekend, he hands out food, water, and wipes to approximately 350 homeless people. “Numerous organizations go out and help homeless people, like Downtown LA and MacArthur Park,” he noted. “Our church, however, directly reaches out to those living on the streets who often go unnoticed.”
He lamented the changing dynamics over the years, saying, “When our outreach began, many homeless people were primarily battling hunger. Today, drug addiction is a more prominent challenge. While a few might come across as intimidating, the majority are gentle souls.”
The pastor expressed his sorrow over the noticeable rise in Korean American homeless people. “It deeply saddens me to see fellow Korean Americans in such situations. I ensure they receive a little extra food during our distribution.”
Recent street sweeps by city administrations have caused homeless people to frequently relocate. Pastor Shin recalled, “I once witnessed a homeless person from Burbank being forced to move to Koreatown due to territorial disputes among the homeless.”
Having migrated to the U.S. in 2001, Pastor Shin has been devotedly ministering since, establishing the New Beginning Presbyterian Church in 2010. “I’ve always been more drawn to homeless outreach than mainstream ministry,” he said, adding, “I hope our services bring warmth to those we assist.”
While the church’s primary mission is outreach, Pastor Shin has taken it upon himself to earn a living. “I work at Beverly ADHC during the week and dedicate my weekends to our missionary efforts,” he shared.
Contact: (213) 507-8441
BY YEJIN KIM [kim.yejin3@koreadaily.com]
