WHO WE ARE
Reverend Michelle Kim
SENIOR PASTOR
Pastor Michelle was born in a family of 4th generation of Presbyterian churches in Seoul, South Korea. She came to the United States after marrying her husband, David Kim in 1982. She received a call from the Lord as a pastor in 1994. Pastor Michelle served in two Baptist Churches after graduating from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2005, she moved to the Korean United Methodist Church in Greater Washington, where she served eight years as an associate pastor. She was ordained as an Elder in full connection in the Virginia Conference in 2012. She then served Arlington Korean United Methodist Church, Bethel United Methodist Church, Rehobeth United Methodist Church, and Centenary United Methodist Church.
Pastor Michelle earned certification in Spiritual direction at Shalem Institute in 2001, and in 2006 she achieved the Doctor of Ministry, majoring in ‘Spirituality, Medicine, and Ministry’ at Wesley Theological Seminary. Pastor Michelle emphasizes the importance of the spiritual life of the congregation and has been pursuing empathetic leadership, which is following Jesus’ model of compassion for those who are weak and needy.
Pastor Michelle holds Romans 12:15; “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” as her ministry vision Bible verse, since God gave it to her during her discernment process, when she was first called to the pastoral ministry. As this Bible verse indicates, Pastor Michelle’s first priority is the intimate relationship with God and then with church members.
For the connectional ministry in the Virginia Conference, Pastor Michelle has been serving on the Board of Ordained Ministry since 2021 and also as a spiritual director at the Clergy Soul Care Retreats.
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Isaac Hughes
ORGANIST
Mr. Isaac A. O. Hughes was born in Ghana and holds a Bachelor of Art and Master of Philosophy in Music from the University of Education, Ghana. He is a dynamic musician with over 25 years' experience playing the organ/piano and leading choirs. Since 2019, Isaac has been the Organist and Choir Director of Ghana Wesley United Methodist Church, Woodbridge, VA.
Prior to this, he held various positions in the Methodist and Catholic Church ranging from Music Director, Choir Director and Principal Organist for several churches in Ghana.
Katia Coppi
administrative assistant
Katia Coppi was born in Italy where she grew up and studied. She holds a Bachelor in Translation and Interpreting and a Master in International Relations. She can speak English, French and Spanish and she is also an Italian teacher with over 8 years' experience teaching her native language.
Prior to this, she worked as Language School and Administration Coordinator for the Italian Cultural and Community Center in Houston.