Ethnic Background: Korean
Conference: California Nevada
Probationary Date: 06/13/1993
Full Membership Date: 06/11/1995
Number of Eligible Quadrenniums: 1
Education:
[2017] Clergy Coaching Training, Online
[2008-2010] UpperRoom 2-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation
[2001-2003] Theological Reflection, University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, IL
[1999] Stephen Ministry Leader Training, Seattle, WA
[1993] Clinical Pastoral Education, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL
[1990-1993] Master of Divinity, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL
[1977-1981] Bachelor of Art, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
Ministry Experience:
<Appointments>
[2017-Present] Campbell United Methodist Church, Campbell, CA, Senior Pastor
[2013-2017] First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, IL, Senior Pastor
[2006-2013] Rockford District Superintendent, Rockford, IL, (Dean of Cabinet: 2011-2013)
[2004-2006] Tinley Park United Methodist Church, Tinley Park, IL, Pastor
[1999-2004] United Methodist Church of Libertyville, Libertyville, IL, Associate Pastor
[1993-1999] Grace United Methodist Church, Elgin, IL, Pastor
<Annual Conference, Jurisdiction, General Church, or Other Ministry>
[2022-present] Cal-Nev Board of Ordained Ministry, Clergy Boundary Training Coordinator
[2022-present] Cal-Nev District Council on Ministries (chairperson)
[2016] Bible Study Leader at 13th World Assembly of World Federation of Methodist
and Uniting Church Women
[2015] Clergy Leader at Northern Illinois Walk to Emmaus
[2014-2017] NIC Clergy Fund Board
[2013-2017] NIC Board of Ordained Ministry
[2013] Bible Study Leader at Caribbean Regional Seminar of World Federation o
Methodist and Uniting Church Women
[2013] Clergy Leader at Northern Illinois Walk to Emmaus
[2012] Keynote Speaker at Wisconsin Conference UMW Annual Gathering
[2012] Bible Study Leader at North America Seminar of World Federation of
Methodist and Uniting Church Women
[2012] First Alternate Delegate to General Conference
[2011-2017] Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Board of Trustees
[2011-2013] President of the National Association of United Methodist Korean American
Clergywomen
[2010-2012] New DS/DCM Training Design Team
[2009] Class Leader at School of Mission of the Northern Illinois Conference United
Methodist Women
[2008-2012] North Central Jurisdiction Mission Council
[2008] NIC Delegate to General Conference
[2006-2013] Korean Ministry Plan Board of Advisors
[2004-2006] NIC Chicago Southern District Committee on Ordained Ministry (Registrar)
[2004] NIC Delegate to Jurisdictional Conference
[2004-2006] NIC Chairperson of the Order of Elders
[2001-2006] Candidacy and Clergy Mentor
[2000-2006] Northern Illinois Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
[1996-2004] Northern Illinois Conference Board of Pension (Secretary)
[1996-2000] Northern Illinois Conference Board of United Voices for Children
Community and Ecumenical Involvement:
2018-present] Campbell Ministerial Association (Chairperson)
[2019-present] Mustard Seed Mission Society (Treasurer)
[2017-present] Santa Clara Methodist Retirement Board of Directors (Vice president)
[2013-2017] Arlington Heights Ministerial Association
[2006-2013] Dubuque Presbyterian Seminary Council of Advisors
[2006-2013] Rockford Urban Ministries Executive Council
[2006-2013] Rosecrance Board of Directors, Rockford, IL
[2004-2006] Tinley Park Clergy Association
[2004-2006] South West Interfaith Team
[2003-2004] Lake County United
[2001-2012] National Association of Korean American Women for Peace (Treasurer)
[1999-2004] Libertyville Ministerial Association
[1999-2004] Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Asian Center Steering Committee
[1997-1999] Garrett- Evangelical Theological Seminary Field Education Supervisor
[1996-1998] Elgin Community College Future Leadership Development Project Task Force
[1993-1999] Elgin Interfaith Clergy Association
Other Relevant Experience:
Why are you being called to the episcopacy at this time? What is it that you especially bring to the role of bishop with the current challenges facing our denomination and the Western Jurisdiction right now?
The current state of our denomination is calling for leaders who can calmly navigate the current challenges facing our denomination and jurisdiction and boldly step into the future God is willing for us. This will require embracing paradigm shifts that tap into the revivalist roots of our Methodist tradition. For God is doing a new thing and in order to perceive it, we must be Spirit-filled and Spirit-led. How exciting it is to discern the new ways God is calling us to continue our church’s mission – creating disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
I was truly humbled to receive the call to episcopacy through the open nomination process. I believe I am being called to the episcopacy at such a time as this because God has a plan to use me for the work of denominational transition and transformation.
The following are the gifts, affirmed by others throughout my life and ministry, that God has equipped me with for the task ahead:
1) Vital faith which is deeply rooted in the Wesleyan tradition and Korean Methodist spirituality;
2) Practice of spiritual discernment through active listening;
3) Progressive theology which has expanded and matured through various life and ministry experiences;
4) Commitment to ministries of preaching, teaching and disciple-making;
5) Servant leadership grounded in integrity, authentic relationship building, and empowerment of others;
6) Collaborative spirit that fosters teamwork and unity;
7) Focus on equipping the laity for church’s mission;
8) Embodied pastoral presence;
9) Compassion for the marginalized through social activism;
10) Heart for mission and evangelism;
11) Administrative and organizational skills;
12) Mentorship of candidates through ordination process;
13) 22 years of local church ministry experience in various church settings and sizes;
14) 7 years of cabinet experience;
15) Annual conference and general church ministry experience.
Describe how the last two years have affected your ministry.
The past two years have brought a number of positive changes to my ministry at Campbell UMC:
1) Online worship which was a distant dream is now a reality. When in-person activities shut down in 2020, we rushed into action to keep our church family connected and engaged to their faith through online worship. And we have persevered through the many challenges by staying together. New volunteers with technical expertise stepped up, and the congregation embraced doing church differently. Our online presence has led to new growth, allowing us to reach people far beyond our immediate community;
2) We experienced God’s abundance through the generosity of our church family. Amazingly, we drastically increased our apportionment giving the past two years. And recently, we launched a capital campaign, with one of our goals being to build a church in Sierra Leone;
3) We became a hosting church of the Safe Parking program last year. For a month, we welcomed and fed our homeless neighbors who parked overnight on our church campus. The experience had a transformative impact on our volunteers, who witnessed to the congregation and ensured we will be hosting them again this year;
4) Our African ministry has grown in vitality, with more members taking on leadership roles within the church.
These positive changes were the fruits of collaborative efforts undertaken by our church staff, leaders, and volunteers, who stayed the course in a time of fear and confusion. Though physically separated, we sought to stay knitted together as a church family so that we might be a non-anxious presence in our highly anxious world. This allowed us to stay positive and hopeful even when things looked bleak. Through it all, we learned to trust in God, discovering that our leap of faith will be met with God’s provision.
Endorser: Rev. Dr. Hwa-Young Jueng
Relationship to Candidate: Friend
I have known Ouk-Yean for over 30 years, first as a classmate at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, then progressively as a friend, a colleague in ministry, and a leader in the United Methodist Church. In all these years, I’ve found her consistently intelligent, loyal, compassionate, effective, justice-loving, and committed, bringing forth fruitful changes in persons and communities she has served.
Ouk-Yean is well-versed in diverse biblical and theological ideas and traditions. It’s a great joy to engage in conversations with her on theology, church, and society. I deeply appreciate her feminist and progressive approaches. She brings together the deep wisdom of Asian perspectives and the vibrant spirituality of Wesleyan holiness. Ouk-Yean is one of the finest leaders in the church I’ve encountered. I believe we need her varied experience, deep spirituality, and fruitful leadership to transform and heal the United Methodist Church amid the uncertainty and brokenness we sense. I wholeheartedly support her and am grateful that she offered herself as an episcopal candidate in the United Methodist Church. As a bishop, she will bring much-needed wisdom, passion, and commitment for our global church.
Rev. Dr. Hwa-Young Chong, Ph.D.
Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference
Lead Pastor, Community UMC, Naperville, IL
Affiliate Faculty, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Endorser: Mr. Bruce Hallinan
Relationship to Candidate: Church Council Chairperson
As Chair of Campbell’s Church Council, I have worked with Rev. Ouk-Yean since her appointment in July 2017. She has been a devoted leader to our church and local community. Blessed with strong compassion and organizational skills, she has been crucial in our transformation from a predominantly aging, white congregation to a vibrant, young West African membership.
Working closely with Rev. Daniel Gbundema and the Church Council, Ouk-Yean is guiding the different groups within our church to merge into one fellowship. Using her leadership experience and skills, she has opened communications and earned the trust of both groups.
During the pandemic, Ouk-Yean quickly recruited people with skills previously not needed during in-person worship and formed a team that brought the Word and Spirit into our homes each Sunday.
Pastor Ouk-Yean has insisted meetings include time for prayer and devotion. With the presence of the Spirit, Campbell has increased our apportionments, tackled large capital projects, assisted a young member in her ordination, built a strong African choir, welcomed an organized homeless community to our campus for a month, and supported our sick and dying members with love.
I have no hesitation in recommending Rev. Jueng for bishop in the Western Jurisdiction.
Endorser: Rev. Alyss Swanson
Relationship to Candidate: Colleague
As a Deacon of Reconciling Ministries at Campbell UMC and a pastoral psychotherapist, I have been blessed to work alongside Pastor Ouk-Yean for the last five-plus years. During that time, I’ve witnessed her pastoral gifts as she compassionately reflects the pain and suffering of others, offering comfort while gently guiding and inviting those in need into exploring and experiencing deeper parts of themselves and connecting with God. I, too, have been transformed through her presence as she has journeyed with me into a deeper prayer life. All told, the fruit of her spirit is sweet and robust in every space she ventures.
Pastor Ouk-Yean arrived at Campbell UMC at a complex and challenging time when its African Ministry was growing under Pastor Gbundema and my appointment as a queer clergy and Deacon of Reconciling Ministries. This milieu, in many ways, perfectly reflects the greater church and its tension between conservatives and progressives. And yet, Pastor Ouk-Yean has faithfully and perhaps prophetically leaned into every moment of discomfort and pain through that discord to invite grace, compassion, and moments of transformation and unity. May God’s will speak to you as I lift up Pastor Ouk-Yean before you.