In April 2001, I was appointed by the first Korean-American bishop, Hae-Jong Kim, to plant a new Korean-American church in the Greater Pittsburgh area. This ministry was intended to serve Korean immigrants, second-generation Korean Americans, and intercultural families. Before my …
Embracing Curiosity with Alyssa Ruch, Director of Pathway Bridges
Pathway Bridges, a Lilly grant-funded program, has been equipping churches to bridge the gap between the church and the community since 2022. New cohorts launched in the spring and fall of 2025. Three years in, there’s still an aura of …
The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Awards
Call for Nominations The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference is now accepting nominations for The Foundation for Evangelism Laity Award, formerly the Denman Award. This award honors laity with exceptional evangelistic ministries that bring people into a life- transforming relationship with …
Interview with Rev. Dr. Sang Choi, Interim Associate Superintendent
Late last summer, Rev. Choi joined the team here in EPA as an Associate Superintendent. In December, we sat down to chat about life in ministry and the parts of his job that bring him the most life and joy. …
Joy is revolutionary: Annual Conference awards celebrate ministries across EPA
On March 29, 2025, United Methodists from across EPA gathered at Paoli UMC for the Annual Conference Awards ceremony. The event was more than a celebration of individual achievements—it was an opportunity to pause and notice the ways God is …
The Overlooked virtue of changing your mind
“Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him.” (Joel 2:14a, CJB) The EPA Conference North District and Congregational Team (CDT) partner to bring Bishop Will Willimon to our pastors and other local church leaders as he …
EPA Latino Commission events bless minds, bodies, souls
June has been a busy but blessed month for the Eastern PA Conference Latino Commission, as it engages members in three transformative experiences for their minds, bodies and souls. First, 20 Latino clergy and laity gathered June 8 at the …
Go deeper this summer at the next 2024 Laity Academy
Have you been hearing a quiet whisper, or maybe a not-so-subtle shout for you to take the next step in discipleship? The Laity Academy Summer Session II, scheduled for August 2-3, at Eastern University’s Palmer Theological Seminary in St. Davids, …
Leadership Academy offers 2 new Bible study courses led by Bishop Schol
The EPA&GNJ Leadership Academy features two new, in-depth Bible study courses in June, with discussions led by Bishop John Schol via Zoom. The courses are Gospel of Luke and Gospel of John. Each course includes eight videos, pre-course assignments, helpful …
Historic church shines a light of service in a place of refuge
In its 230th year of ministry, Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church in North Philadelphia maintains a legacy of loyal service to its community. It will celebrate that 230th anniversary with a banquet and other activities in November 2024. The …