Hye Won Moon, DDS, has a passion for ministry! For the past 20 years, she has been practicing as a general dentist in Koreatown, Los Angeles. Her daughter, a recent Loma Linda University graduate, has joined her practice, allowing Moon more flexibility to plan church functions and put on weekly programs at L.A. Central Korean church. “Most of my patients are not Adventists, so I use this as an opportunity to invite them to our church functions,” Moon said.
As personal ministries director for her church, Moon plans a myriad of activities for both members and nonmembers. From self-improvement and coaching seminars, to healthy cooking classes, to personal visitation of sick church members, to biblical prophecy seminars, Bible study classes, and family education seminars, the way Moon shares her faith and involves church members is taking the church to a new level of engagement with the community.
Team building is an important aspect of Moon’s work. “We planned a self-improvement seminar for our church members because we discovered that some people left our church in the past due to hurtful words from other church members,” Moon said. “A coaching seminar followed that enabled us to become leaders individually and to encourage all church members to get involved.”
After the two seminars, a retreat was planned where participants could practice what they had learned and bond with one another. “A day trip to Bishop with attendees from the cooking seminar was a huge success,” Moon recalled, “and spontaneous short trips in nature after church have created an opportunity for us to engage on a personal level with new church members.”
Every Sabbath, careful attention is given to attendance. Are there sick members or long-term absent members? Are there prospective new members from the various outreach seminars? At the end of the service, Moon schedules the elders and deacons to make personal visits. “Dr. Moon’s active ministry has been generating so many seekers of truth that two pastors are always busy following up with visitation and Bible studies,” said Sam Lee, Southern California Conference Asian-Pacific region director.
Suzie Hwang took Bible study classes for one year before being baptized in July. She credits Moon’s persistence in involving her in church activities as a key reason for joining the church. “I am grateful for the love and support I received when I was hopelessly alone,” Hwang said. “I found the truth and my purpose in life in Jesus.”
L.A. Central Korean church has been energized by a personal ministries “dream team” of devoted and well-organized members. “It is very important for all church members to be involved, because we can accomplish anything when we all work together,” Moon said. “I have no doubt that all members will experience spiritual enrichment by helping others find faith in Jesus Christ.”
