An introduction from Pastor Paul:

As I begin my new call at Sturge, I feel like I have lived in some interesting times.  I was born in Seoul, Korea, just as the country was emerging from the devastation of the Korean War.  It was an exciting time—construction everywhere, and a sense of optimism.  We were comfortable in Korea.  My father was an architect and my mother was a college-educated homemaker. Then, in 1972, we moved from Seoul, Korea to Baltimore, Maryland. W e arrived just as the hippies were leaving.  When, in 1973, my dad died, my mother ended up never leaving her “temporary” job as a seamstress. But even during that dark time, God watched out for us.  The cupboard was often bare, but we never went hungry.

I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord at the age of 15.  The 80’s were a fantastic time to be a young Christian; we felt that the Lord was doing something exciting and powerful with our generation.  My home

church grew from 40 original members meeting in two rented rooms to a church of several thousands meeting on our own campus.  I had always imagined becoming a lawyer, but a funny thing happened on the way to law school.  I ended up attending Yale Divinity School—which I thought would be my “temporary” detour.  Once I had a chance to serve at a local church, I knew my life’s calling was to serve as a pastor. God called and I was hooked.

In January, 1990, I drove from Columbia, Maryland to my first pastorate in Mount Lake Terrace, Washington.  Seattle was just emerging culturally on the national scene as the home of the grunge movement. I wish I could convey my excitement at beginning my ministry as an associate youth pastor.  I felt as if my heart would burst with joy.  Then, more blessing followed.  I met and married my beautiful wife Nan—it was love at second sight (why “second?” it’s complicated).  Looking back, I was barely older than some of the students I was pasturing.  It was an amazing time for me: to be blessed with my first church and a new marriage!

God then blessed us with our two boys:  Jacob and Seth.  Both are fun in their own fashion.  Jacob seemingly walks between raindrops.  Seth, on the other hand, sometimes wonders if raindrops have it in for him.  I cannot believe that both of them are now in middle school.

In 2000, as the Dot Com Bubble burst and just about everyone in my church was receiving layoff notices, I was reminded that the adventure never ends.  Yet through it all, we all grew in the Lord—learning to spot the Lord’s hand in our lives.  It’s been over 30 years since I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and I have tried to follow faithfully in the Lord’s footsteps.  But through it all, I can honestly say that the Lord has been good to my family and me.

Now, as we all take part in this new season at Sturge, I look forward to seeing what the next 30 years will bring.  I’m still excited, for the Lord is good!