Growing up as a 3rd generation pastor’s kid. I have seen, experienced, and critiqued what it means to be a Christian. I’ve worshiped in a conservative Korean setting where sticking to the rules and having good behavior was the model of a good Christian. I’ve also served and led in several mainline denomination churches where polity, traditions, and church history were the pillars of Christian foundation.

When God called me and my family to plant Free Life Community Church back in 2020 I thought I had it all figured out.  Create a core team,  get some great musicians, lights, and a smoke machine, and find a building where I can pack out. However, God had other plans for the world.  Covid-19 became a household name, social-distance became our new norm, and the enemy was having a field day in our communities, country, and the church.

My definition of a Christian drastically changed. All the training, all the experiences, and all the services that I attended didn’t seem to mean much anymore. So, what do I do next? Well, a smart woman once told me, “if you ever get lost, read the Word of God”. I’m glad I remembered what my grandmother said to me. I got down on my knees, opened God’s word and started to search for God and of course I found Him. I found God as He was faithful to Abraham. I found God as He saved the family of Noah, I found God as He showed up in a burning bush, I found God as Job was tormented by the enemy but God was still faithful, and of course I found God in fragile man named Jesus, who came to earth to sacrifice Himself on the cross so that we, sinners, can be set free and live a free life in Christ.

As I start 2024 as a father, as a husband, and as a pastor leading church called Free Life Community Church: a Gospel-Centered, multi-ethnic, multicultural, multi-lingual church that is on mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ from every nation, tribe, and tongue.  My mission is clear: to make God known through preaching His Word. My vision is concrete: to live a life more like Christ so that others may see that knowing His truth will set you free. Finally, my Values are defined by the Holy Spirit.

Although change can be complicated at times, if we live by the Mission, Vision, and Values of God, I believe that God will always lead us, watch over us, and call us to His purpose.

Hebrews 13:8-“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

God Bless You

Pastor Paul Park

Lead Pastor Free Life Community Church

Assistant Pastor, The Fount