Who She Is
She has worked in various social service and nonprofit/governmental/educational sector positions in Georgia, Oregon, California, Connecticut, New York, and has been working full-time with the State of New Jersey for the past 10 years. Kara has served in a variety of ministry positions in mainly Asian-American congregations in Atlanta, San Jose, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Springfield (MA), Wayne & Woodland Park (NJ). Prior to arriving at Calvary, she attended Grace United Methodist Church (Wyckoff), where she was a Lay Delegate to the Greater NJ UMC Annual Conference, Church Council Recording Secretary, Staff/Parish Relations Committee, contemporary Praise Band and Handbells Choir member. Kara is a “Panda Mom” (chilling out, eating potstickers), living with her two fun sons, Kyle (22), Ryan (19), and adopted canine son, Phoenix.
Her Story
Korea
Georgia
New Jersey
Pastor Kara was born in South Korea and immigrated to the U.S. as a toddler in the early 1970s.
She was raised in Georgia, where her father planted two Korean Presbyterian churches. She graduated from Emory University with a BA in Sociology & Music, received a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University and in 2022, received a Masters of Divinity from Drew Theological Seminary.
She is currently enrolled at United Lutheran Seminary to complete coursework as part of her ordination process with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).