Answering the Call: Christian Service in the Church & Higher Education and Military Service in South Korea

By Darrell W. Wood

The following article was written by the author in 1996 while serving Dallas Baptist University as Director of Public Relations/News and Information, 1989-2000.

God has worked providentially in the life of Dr. Jong-hwan (Jonathan) Kim to prepare him for a ministry in Christian higher education. Associate Registrar at Dallas Baptist University since October of 1994, Jonathan sees his opportunity to serve at DBU as another step toward fulfilling his calling--"teaching Christian education at a Baptist college or seminary, and helping others grow spiritually in a local Baptist church."

Kim brings to his task at DBU a cosmopolitan perspective combined with strong convictions about the role of Christian education in the life of the believer. His philosophy of education relates spirituality to the practical concerns of everyday living.

"We too often teach and practice a dichotomized concept of Christianity," Jonathan said, "but we are Christians intellectually as well as emotionally and socially, and in everything we think and do as believers." Raised in a Christian family, Jonathan's views were shaped by early influences and reinforced by his educational experience. After receiving a Master of Arts in Religious Education (MARE) at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1988, he went on to earn his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in foundations of education from Southwestern in 1992.

He made his public profession of faith in Christ at Grace Bible Baptist Church in Seoul in 1975 at the age of 11. He was baptized the same day.

The initial sense of God's call to ministry came during his three years of study at the Korea Baptist Theological College in Taejon; punctuating his pilgrimage, however, are twists and turns he did not anticipate.

But the one thread running through the rich tapestry of his life is the conviction: God's will for him is to contribute to the field of Christian education as a Baptist.

"I wanted to be a minister of education because God calls individuals to that ministry," Jonathan said, "not just as preparation for the pastorate."

To prepare for ministry, Jonathan decided to leave Korea for further education at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. He graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in religious education.

Upon returning to Korea for a visit in 1990, he was formally introduced to his future wife, Ji-bun, a gifted artist. They were married later that year. Jonathan and Ji-bun (Jeanny) now have a son, Sihyun (Nathan), born in 1991, and a daughter, Sijin (Jamie), born in 1994. Jonathan was ordained to the ministry by Fort Worth Korean Baptist Church, where he served as minister of education/music, 1987-90.

From 1990-91, he served as minister of education/administration at Berendo Street Baptist Church (also known as Los Angeles Korean Baptist Church) in California. One of the largest Korean congregations in the U.S., Jonathan enjoyed his responsibilities at the church, ranging from all aspects of educational ministry and administration to frequent preaching.

But another call came--this time from the South Korean government. Military duty is mandatory for all Korean men until age 28. As a witness to his family, friends at church, and fellow countrymen, Jonathan felt duty-bound to fulfill that commitment. So he and Ji-bun moved back to Korea. During his two-year tour of duty, he served as English instructor and chaplain at the Korea Air Command and Staff College in Seoul from 1992-94. His assignment included preaching, counseling, and ministering to Air Force officers.

God is using all these experiences to equip Jonathan for effective ministry. And he believes these opportunities are foundational to his formation as a minister of the gospel through education. "My long-term goal is to be a full professor, teaching the philosophy, psychology, and sociology of education at a Baptist university or seminary," he said.

For Dr. Jonathan Kim, the integration of faith and learning--intellectually, emotionally, and socially--must also model a unity of belief and practice in Christ.

Update: In 2022, Dallas Baptist University's online faculty directory lists Dr. Jonathan Kim as Associate Dean of Christian Studies in the Mary C. Crowley College of Christian Faith and Professor of Christian Education.

The testimony of Jonathan Kim's life, and for all God-called ministers of the gospel, is--

those whom God calls, He equips. (cf Ephesians 2:10)

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