Sarang Church in Seoul, the host church for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) General Assembly this October, has launched the search for its third senior pastor, forming a nine-member search committee on April 13, according to Korean Christian news outlet iGoodNews.
Elder Seung-hwan Han, who serves as the clerk of the church’s session, was appointed chair of the search committee. Church leaders said they plan to select a successor by the end of this year. After the selection, the new pastor is expected to serve alongside current Senior Pastor Jung-hyun Oh for about six months before an official installation service is held in January 2027.
The search committee is tasked with establishing criteria that align with the church’s vision and ministry direction as they seek a leader to guide Sarang Church into its next chapter.
Founded in 1978 by the late Rev. Han-heum Ok as Gangnam Eunpyung Church, Sarang Church adopted its current name in 1981. Rev. Ok announced an early retirement at age 65 during a session meeting in July 2001. After a two-year search, the church called Rev. Oh, then senior pastor of Sarang Church of Southern California, as its second senior pastor in March 2003. Rev. Oh began his ministry at Sarang Church in August 2003.
During his tenure, Rev. Oh emphasized the globalization of discipleship training, next-generation leadership development, and movements for peaceful reunification in Korea.
Ahead of his planned retirement, Rev. Oh is leading preparations to host the WEA General Assembly in Seoul from October 27 to 31. As co-chairman of the organizing committee, he said the assembly aims to reaffirm the WEA’s goals of “living orthodoxy, reformed conservatism, and the pure gospel” and offer biblical responses to contemporary global church issues.
