Gratitude and commitment to the calling were evident throughout the ordination service of Hyun Ouk John this October. John was raised in the Adventist faith in South Korea. Upon emigrating from South Korea, he settled in Loma Linda where he served in the Loma Linda Korean church for 10 years. When this chapter closed, John transitioned to Andrews University, where he experienced the Covid-19 pandemic with his wife and three children. It was after he completed his Master of Divinity that he came to Southern California to accept a call to serve as pastor of the Valley United Korean church in 2022. “No brief biography could fully express the countless moments of God’s grace and faithful guidance throughout his journey,” John’s biography in the ordination program concluded.
The service was filled with meaningful music and messages for the occasion. In the homily, John H. Cress, SCC president, reflected on 1 Timothy 1:12, where Paul recognizes God’s putting him into the ministry. Cress spoke about the difficult days experienced in pastoral ministry—funerals, conflict, and more. “When those days come, remember this,” he said, “God put you in the ministry. He’s the one who put you there and he is the one who will be faithful.”
Royal Harrison, SCC Executive Vice President, then brought a ministerial charge to John and his wife. “Pastor John, God has called you to be more than just a pastor, a minister,” Harrison said. “He’s called you to be on the battlefield.”
As fellow pastors in attendance gathered to lay hands on John for the ordination prayer, SCC Executive Secretary/Ministerial Director Danny Chan prayed, “Today is not the beginning of his ministry, but it’s the faithful recognition that he has been receiving and has received the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Following the prayer, John received his ordination certificate and new credential that would signify his status as an ordained pastor. SCC Treasurer/CFO Kathleen Diaz presented John with a Bible that would be a special reminder of this occasion. Lastly, Vinh Nguyen, SCC Asian/Pacific Region director, provided John with a shepherd’s rod, to, as Nguyen put it, “rescue, oversee, and direct” the flock.
“I will do my best until Christ returns,” John said in his response. “I will be the servant that shouts and proclaims the gospel to the people.”