Paloma Korean Church has transitioned into a new era after honoring Reverend Seo Myung-sung, who led the community for 31 years, as pastor emeritus and welcoming Reverend Joo Sung-pil as the new senior pastor.
A Service of Gratitude and New Beginnings
The church held a service of thanksgiving for the appointment of the pastor emeritus and the inauguration of the new senior pastor at 4 p.m. on the 4th in the main sanctuary. The congregation gathered to express gratitude for the founding pastor’s dedication and to bless the church’s new chapter.
The first part of the service was led by Reverend Shim Gyu-seob (Chula Vista Presbyterian Church), with a sermon delivered by Reverend Noh Jin-geol (Pastor Emeritus of Fullerton Presbyterian Church). The second and third parts—the commissioning of the pastor emeritus and the inauguration of the senior pastor—were led by Reverend Choi Yong-sung, President of the Southern California Presbytery of the General Assembly of the Korean Presbyterian Church in America (KPCA). Reverend Seo expressed his gratitude to God for every moment of his ministry journey, as well as to his family and congregation, while asking the members to love and prayerfully support the new senior pastor.
The Legacy of Reverend Seo Myung-sung
Reverend Seo graduated from Seoul High School, Seoul National University with a degree in Naval Architecture, and earned a Ph.D. in Ocean Engineering from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). He later earned a Master of Arts in Missiology (1995) and a Doctor of Practical Ministry (Ph.D. 2004) from Fuller Theological Seminary. He founded Paloma Korean Church in July 1995, and has previously served as president of the San Diego Korean Clergy Association (2018) and the 47th General Assembly President of the KPCA (2023–2024).
Vision from the New Senior Pastor
In his inaugural address, newly appointed Senior Pastor Joo Sung-pil paid tribute to the leadership of Pastor Emeritus Seo Myung-sung, stating that he looks forward to walking and sharing joy in the Lord with the congregation.
Pastor Joo graduated from Chung-Ang University (2001) and Chongshin University Theological Seminary (2004), earned a master’s degree from the University of the Holy Land in Israel, and pursued a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) at Fuller Theological Seminary. After serving at the Korean Church in Israel, he has been serving as an associate pastor at Irvine Bethel Church since 2014.
