On Wednesday, October 1, West Ohioans Rev. Serena Joy Wolfe and Carolyn Kwon boarded a plane for Seoul, South Korea, as part of a first-ever Ministry Cooperative program launched by the Ohio Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church and the Korean Methodist Church. From Oct. 1 through Nov. 30, three young leaders from Korea will come to Ohio, while two young leaders from Ohio will serve in Korea. East Ohio Rev. Sam Mohn will join Wolfe and Kwon on Nov. 1.

The program commemorates the 140th anniversary of Methodist missionaries arriving in Korea. Mary Scranton and her son, William, played instrumental roles in the development of Christianity, education and health care in Korea during the late 19th century. In honor of their work, the new program aims to foster exchanges between young leaders from both conferences to serve, learn and grow through cross-cultural ministry.

"I am filled with joy to see this first exchange of young leaders take place,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Ohio Episcopal Area. “I pray God’s blessings on each one of these leaders and on the experiences they will share. This exchange is an important step in strengthening the relationship between The United Methodist Church and the Korean Methodist Church. May this time of sharing and learning deepen our partnership and strengthen our witness together in Christ."

Bishop Jung and Bishop Seong-Bok Kim of the Seoul Conference plan to expand the cross-cultural experiences through joint conferences, mission projects and a second ministry cooperative program in 2026.

UPDATE:

Three pastors from the Seoul Annual Conference of the Korean Methodist Church, Rev. Ki, Hyang-Keum, Rev. Shin, Hong-Sun, and Rev. Chung, Mi-Jin, have arrived in Ohio to begin their mission and ministry in the Ohio Episcopal Area. This marks the launch of the Ministry Cooperative. Over the next two months, these leaders will engage in local ministry, cultural exchange, and deepen our shared faith journey.