Bishop John Schol has appointed two Eastern PA Conference pastors to become superintendents of the North and West districts July 1. They will soon begin meeting monthly with the Cabinet to learn about their future leadership responsibilities.

The primary role of a superintendent is to develop the strategies to develop leaders, grow congregations and inspire mission in the community. Additionally, superintendents have oversight for the spiritual and temporal affairs of the conference.

The Rev. Jenny Freymoyer will lead the West District, succeeding the Rev. Bumkoo “BK” Chung, Cabinet Dean, as he completes an eight-year term. The Rev. Hun Ju Lee will lead the North District, succeeding the Rev. Steve Morton, who leaves that appointment after four years.

Freymoyer has served in EPAUMC for 10 years, the past four years in a dual-role as the pastor of Salem UMC in Shoemakersville and as Assisting Elder for the North District. She works with Morton to support and help connect the 108 churches and their pastors across the sprawling “Great North District.” Previously, she was the pastor of Epworth UMC in Bethlehem for six years.

Lee has led Olivet UMC in Coatesville since 2019 and formerly was the pastor of Landenberg UMC, Chatham UMC in West Grove, Eddystone UMC and First Korean UMC of Philadelphia in Prospectville. Previously, he was the youth ministries director for five years at Korean UMC in Bethlehem and a youth pastor at several New Jersey churches.

A wife and mother of three, Freymoyer previously served in various staff and “high-capacity” volunteer roles in EPA and in Georgia, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She serves on the conference Board of Benefits and was previously co-convener of Women in Professional Ministry and a member of the Northeast District Transformation Team.

‘God has a great future for the United Methodists of EPA’

–Bishop John Schol

Building relationships to support clergy, church leaders

“I am quite humbled by the sacredness of the work ahead, and I look forward to building relationships with clergy and church leaders in the West District in order to strengthen our connection and local churches,” Freymoyer said. “I have a heart for pastors, especially during this time, and I’m really excited by the opportunity to support them.”

Lee has four theological degrees, including a doctorate from Duke University Divinity School and advanced training in Christian education. A U.S. citizen since 2007, the husband and father of two directed church-run schools in his native South Korea. A member of the conference Episcopacy Committee, Board of Ordained Ministry and District Committee on Ministry, he served on the conference Commission on Religion and Race for 9 years.

“I am surprised, humbled, privileged, and honored to be selected as a District Superintendent to serve the people, churches and pastors of the North District,” said Lee, who is passionate about evangelism and pastoral care. “My call to ministry was, and still is, based on a deep desire to serve God and serve God’s people. My life is dedicated to helping people develop and deepen their relationship with God.”

In introducing the two new DSs, Bishop Schol described Freymoyer as a leader who is “positive and hopeful” in the face of challenges, “passionate about development and growth” and a “thoughtful and spiritual.” He described Lee as “born of and called by God” as a trained “teacher and a discipler,” who although “anchored in tradition, seeks to transform the future” of ministry.

”I am excited for the future of EPA because of these two leaders and the many other leaders serving our congregations and our conference,” wrote the bishop. “God has a great future for the United Methodists of EPA. I invite everyone to welcome and pray for Hun Ju and Jenny during their transition.”

Read Bishop Schol’s entire announcement letter.