Irvine, CA
Network Director
Steve Kim
The old timers in our church remember me as the college student who blurted out at a discipleship meeting, “I want to marry someone like Princess Leia.” Someone teased, “It’s because you think you’re Han Solo, right?” And honestly, I had to say, “Yes.” On the Myers-Briggs, I’m an ENFP—the Champion. I grew up with cinematic soundtracks running through my mind, imagining myself as the hero who would save the day.
I grew up in an unhappy home with hurtful words exchanged between my parents and siblings, and at times things got violent. So I wanted to believe I could somehow be the hero who could at least save himself. But shortly after turning 16, I was confronted with the uncomfortable truth that I wasn’t the hero—I was the culprit. I realized I was no better than those I blamed for what was wrong in my life, because I’m a sinner. I’m my own greatest problem. But the good news of the gospel was that Jesus came to my rescue. At a youth retreat, I responded to an invitation to repent and accept Jesus as my Savior and Lord.
That narcissistic desire to be the hero followed me into college, where I was quickly humbled by trying to adjust to college life. Through the piercing truths of God’s Word, I also discovered that none of us are heroes—only Jesus is. But we get to be part of His rescue team, a team I’ve grown to love, cherish, and commit my life to. And though I’m no Han Solo, I did marry the person I was looking for—a fellow team member with whom I serve Jesus.
Eunice Kim
Growing up, I was blessed with a sheltered, comfortable, and boring life. But as an ISTJ, that was fine with me. I went to church but I was missing some essential parts of what Christianity was about, because I couldn’t imagine anyone actually living according to the Bible in real life, nor why they would be motivated to do so.
I came to Berkeley and started coming to our church as a freshman. I remember learning for the first time that Christian life was about having a real relationship with God - which seemed like a radical and slightly scary idea. At the same time, I saw how these young working professionals and college students took the word of God seriously and tried to live it out in their daily lives. The thing was, they seemed so full of life and wholesome fun, while at the same time being able to be open and honest about their sinfulness, being loved by God and loving others. It was like stepping into a whole new world, where I experienced God speaking to me in some undeniable ways and I recognized that I was a sinner in need of Jesus’ salvation. I became a Christian my freshman year.
Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”, and this is so true in my experience. He has transformed my life. I was an unrelational, selfish person who didn’t know how to love others. My greatest fear was facing difficulty and failure. But as I have followed Jesus, I have had to face my fears and difficult truths about myself and this broken world. And I have experienced the greatest thrills of learning to love people and see people’s lives transformed by the gospel as well. I could not have imagined that I would have so many people in my life beyond my own family, who are precious to me.
It has been a privilege and an adventure to plant and lead churches with my husband Steve. Our two boys have grown up living the church plant life, which has been quite challenging, but we see it as a great blessing and investment in their lives. The life of ministry never gets old and I am always reminded to have hope in what God can do in each person’s life as I remember my own story.