Meet Our Pastors
Senior Pastor
Pastor James immigrated to the United States at the age of 15 from South Korea before finding his home in Los Angeles, California. He attended USC (go Trojans!) and majored in biomedical engineering with the intent of becoming a medical doctor. But God had different plans for him and during his senior year at USC, God called him into ministry. After obtaining his BS, he enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he has since completed his Master of Art in Pastoral Counseling, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (MSMFT), and Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling.
One of Pastor James' foremost and unwavering commitments is to strengthen and empower the families of this generation. This dedication remains steadfast as he serves as the senior pastor at GMC for EM and KM. He is thankful for the partnership with GMC’s pastoral staff and lay leadership team, whose faithful support makes it possible for him to honor his commitment and dedication in serving the church.
His beloved life partner of 31 years (and counting), Alisa-his wife, shares in his fervor of serving the Lord. You will often find her serving alongside her husband or in the neighborhood serving the elderly or special needs community. Alisa’s smile is as contagious as her love for the Lord. Together, they are blessed with three precious daughters—Faith, Hope, and Joy—each of whom is embarking on her own journey in pursuit of God's plan.
If he’s not at church, you can easily find Pastor James at one of his many branch offices, also known as Panera Bread, and after a demanding workday, his favorite indulgence awaits at Wendy's! Pastor James enjoys spending time with his family and fellowshipping with God’s people. While he's naturally an introvert, his life calling compels him to be otherwise!
Associate EM Pastor
Pastor Bob has spent the vast majority of his life in New Jersey and New York City, graduating from Cresskill High School and then majoring in American history at Columbia University. After college, he worked as a sportswriter for the Bergen Record, primarily covering high school sports, But he then answered God’s call to ministry, receiving his Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor since 2005, and has also worked as a SAT teacher, college admissions consultant, and even as an Uber driver.
Having arrived at GMC in January 2024, Pastor Bob is excited to see the EM continually grow into a community that loves Jesus and honors one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. He firmly believes that God transforms us through our increasing knowledge of the gospel, particularly the more we “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18). He is thankful to co-labor with the faithful staff, lay leaders, and volunteers of both the EM and KM.
Pastor Bob is a big sports fan as evidenced by his long-suffering commitment to the New York Mets. He loves to read books, and is usually in the middle of five different books at once. He is also an extrovert and that rare person who actually enjoys being among crowds. His beloved wife of five years, Jong Min Lee, can testify to how he likes to take her to places like Times Square and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. They also share a great love for food, and Jong Min loves to experiment with different cuisines and recipes. Bob and Jong Min enjoy spending time with people, having them over for meals, hearing their stories, and encouraging them in their faith journey with Jesus.
College Pastor
Pastor Song's journey at GMC began in 2022 when she embraced her role as the devoted shepherd of the youth group. Her love for Jesus is evidenced by her dedication to nurturing young hearts and minds through fervent discipleship and compassionate counseling. This passion has left an indelible mark on students and parents alike, spurring growth and transformation within the youth group families. Now, as her calling expands, she extends her guiding light to the college students of GMC, bridging the gap between generations with faith, grace and wisdom. With Pastor Song at the helm, the journey of faith continues to flourish, guided by her steadfast commitment to uplifting souls and fostering a deeper connection with God. Discover more about our college ministry here.
