Today we’d like to introduce you to Hoseong Kim.
Hi Hoseong, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in South Korea, and from a young age I felt a deep pull toward ministry, prayer, and serving people. My journey has taken me across countries, careers, and seasons of both struggle and growth, but each step has shaped the calling I walk in today.
I came to the United States as a young adult and eventually settled in the Savannah area. Over the years I served in various ministries, pursued theological training, and worked in different fields, including my time in the U.S. Army. Those years were refining and often difficult, but they deepened my compassion for people who feel unseen, discouraged, or far from hope. Those experiences became part of the foundation of my ministry.
Along the way, I also found myself stepping into unexpected roles of advocacy. When the Hyundai plant in Georgia was raided by ICE, several mainstream media outlets reached out to me to speak on behalf of the Korean community. It was a painful and confusing moment for many families, and I felt a responsibility to be a steady, compassionate voice—offering clarity, support, and a sense of calm. That experience strengthened my desire to stand with those who feel vulnerable or unheard.
In 2025, after a season of prayer and discernment, I felt led to start a small, Spirit‑led church community focused on worship, intercession, and awakening hearts to God’s presence. God‑Pleasing Church officially launched in November 2025. We began simply—meeting in homes, parks, and borrowed spaces—but with a clear mission: to help people encounter God personally and to pray for healing in our city and beyond.
One of the most meaningful parts of our ministry has been the weekly Prayer Gathering at Forsyth Park, where we pray for peace, revival, and especially for the suffering people of North Korea, while also bringing awareness to what has truly been happening there. It has become a place where believers from different backgrounds come together in unity to intercede for justice, freedom, and healing.
Before the church officially began, I started offering a Free English Ministry to serve immigrants, newcomers, and anyone in the community who needed support. We have been providing these free English classes for over a year now, and it has become a beautiful way to build relationships and help people feel welcomed and empowered.
Earlier this year, I also began serving as a part‑time ESL instructor at Savannah Technical College. Although this is separate from our church’s Free English Ministry, both roles reflect the same heart: helping people grow, find confidence, and build a new life here in Savannah.
Today, our church remains small but sincere—prayerful, mission‑driven, and committed to serving the community. My story is still unfolding, but every step has been guided by a desire to please God, serve people, and bring light into places that feel forgotten.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. My journey has included seasons that were deeply challenging—personally, spiritually, and emotionally. There were times when I faced misunderstandings, setbacks, and circumstances that felt completely out of my control. Some of those experiences shook me, but they also refined me. They taught me humility, perseverance, and what it means to rely on God when everything feels uncertain.
Starting a ministry from scratch is never easy. There were moments when resources were limited, when doors closed unexpectedly, and when I wondered if anyone understood the vision God had placed on my heart. Building a church community without a permanent space, while also trying to serve people through prayer gatherings and free English classes, required a lot of faith and endurance.
There were also personal struggles along the way—seasons of exhaustion, discouragement, and spiritual warfare. But those difficult moments became turning points. They deepened my compassion for people who are hurting and strengthened my conviction that ministry must be rooted in prayer, authenticity, and love.
Looking back, the road has not been smooth, but it has been meaningful. Every hardship has shaped my character and clarified my calling. And today, I’m grateful—because the struggles have made the ministry stronger, more sincere, and more dependent on God’s grace.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is a blend of pastoral ministry, community service, and education. I serve as the pastor of God‑Pleasing Church, a small but deeply prayer‑centered bilingual (Korean & English) community in Savannah. Our heart is to reach both the Korean community and the broader local community. Our focus is simple: worship, intercession, and helping people encounter God in a personal and transformative way.
One of the things I’m known for is our weekly Prayer Gathering at Forsyth Park. Every week, we pray for peace, revival, and especially for the suffering people of North Korea. We also work to bring awareness to the realities of what is happening there. It has become a place where believers from different backgrounds come together in unity, which is something I treasure deeply.
Another major part of my work is our Free English Ministry, which I started over a year ago to serve immigrants, newcomers, and anyone in the community who needs support. We offer free English classes as a way to help people feel welcomed, confident, and connected. This ministry has opened doors to build relationships with people from many cultures and walks of life.
In addition to that, I also serve as a part‑time ESL instructor at Savannah Technical College. Although this role is separate from our church’s Free English Ministry, both reflect the same heart: helping people grow, find belonging, and build a new life here in Savannah.
What I’m most proud of is not the size of our ministry, but the sincerity of it. We are small, but we are faithful. We pray, we serve, and we try to love people well. What sets us apart is our focus on prayer, unity, and caring for those who are often overlooked—whether that’s the people of North Korea, immigrants learning English, or individuals searching for hope.
My calling is to build bridges: between cultures, between faith and everyday life, and between people and the presence of God. That’s the heart behind everything I do.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
When I look back on my life, I realize that I’ve taken many risks—just not in the way people usually define them. My risks have always been tied to faith, obedience, and stepping into places where the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. For me, risk isn’t about being reckless; it’s about trusting God enough to move forward even when the path is unclear.
Starting God‑Pleasing Church was one of those risks. We didn’t have a large team, a permanent building, or guaranteed resources. All we had was a calling and a conviction. Beginning a bilingual ministry, praying publicly at Forsyth Park every week, and speaking openly about issues like North Korea were all steps that required courage. They weren’t guaranteed to be understood or supported, but they were steps of obedience.
Launching our Free English Ministry was another leap of faith. I didn’t know if anyone would come or if we would have enough volunteers. But I believed that serving immigrants and newcomers was something God placed on my heart. Today, that ministry has become one of the most meaningful bridges between cultures and communities.
Even becoming a part‑time ESL instructor at Savannah Technical College involved risk—stepping into a new environment, learning new systems, and balancing multiple responsibilities. But it opened doors to serve people in ways I never expected.
So yes, I’ve taken many risks. But they’ve always been faith‑driven risks. I’ve learned that growth often happens outside of comfort zones, and that some of the most important things in life—faith, community, healing, justice—require stepping out even when the outcome is uncertain.
In the end, I don’t take risks for the sake of risk. I take them because I believe that when God leads, obedience is worth more than certainty. And every time I’ve stepped out in faith, I’ve discovered new strength, new purpose, and new opportunities to serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://god_pleasing_church_english.renderforestsites.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GodPleasingChurch
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