Report submitted by Rev. Hongyun Won, Los Angeles Gospel UM Mission
On October 5-8, 2026, the Korean Association of the United Methodist Church held its annual gathering under the theme “Encounter, Engage, Empower” at the Embassy Suites San Francisco Airport Waterfront. Leaders and members from the California-Pacific Conference, including Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank, Rev. Dr. Tom Choi (Hawaii District Superintendent), and Rev. Kenneth Suhr, attended to share in fellowship, prayer, and mutual encouragement.
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank Offers a Prayer of Gratitude and Fellowship
Bishop Dottie Escobedo-Frank of the California-Pacific Conference offered a prayer before the meal, recalling the tradition of Jesus sharing meals with His disciples and emphasizing the sacred significance of gathering around a common table.
She prayed that those gathered would find renewed spiritual strength through fellowship with one another. She also expressed gratitude for everyone who made the meal possible—from those who grew and harvested the food to those who prepared and served it, as well as those who worked quietly behind the scenes to clean up afterward.
Even as participants enjoyed the abundance of food before them, the bishop invited everyone to remember those who face hunger, praying that they, too, would have enough to eat. She also prayed that those gathered would remember people in need and be moved to take part in caring for them.
“May we experience the holiness of Your love at this table.”
Honoring the History of Korean Ministry at San Francisco Korean UMC
San Francisco Korean UMC traces its beginnings back to 1903, when early Korean students and political exiles, including Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, gathered to form a community of faith. As the very first Korean church established on the U.S. mainland following the earliest congregations in Hawaii, it stands as a historic mother church that took the monumental first steps of Korean immigrant church history in America. It was within this sacred legacy that the Korean Association of the United Methodist Church (KAUMC) was founded in 1974, marking its 50th anniversary this year.
Commemorating this milestone, attendees visited San Francisco Korean UMC—a living landmark of Korean immigrant church history. Walking through its historic sanctuary, clergy and laity reflected on fifty years of collective ministry, looking back on the enduring heritage of faith while exploring the present realities and future horizons of Korean-American ministry within the denomination.
From Grief to Mission: Reaffirming Support for 140 GBGM Missionaries and Launching PIM
For half a century, Korean United Methodist churches have faithfully served as bridges within the immigrant community and essential partners across the denomination. While the recent disaffiliation season brought real pain, loss, and ongoing challenges for remaining congregations, God is actively renewing vision and courage among Korean leaders.
Previously, Korean congregations pledged to support 140 missionaries serving through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM)—a commitment that successfully reached 100% of its fundraising goal in 2025. At this convocation, leaders reaffirmed their sustained dedication to walking alongside these GBGM missionaries. Furthermore, the gathering provided an invaluable opportunity to initiate collaborative discussions on Partners in Ministry (PIM), designed to uplift struggling and small-membership churches through both financial assistance and relational mentorship. Moving past grief, leaders confirmed a collective commitment to sowing fresh seeds of gospel hope.
A Shared Holiness Across Cultures
Today, many Korean clergy in our conference and beyond faithfully serve in cross-racial and cross-cultural appointments. By sharing their deep heritage of prayer and discipleship while honoring God’s image across diverse communities, they continue to weave a common spiritual thread that enriches the whole body of Christ.
The Korean Association remains dedicated to caring for pastors, offering ongoing pastoral formation, and serving as a spiritual catalyst for the renewed United Methodist Church. We invite the entire Cal-Pac family to join in prayer and partnership as we pursue holiness together and labor for God’s kingdom on earth.
