Rev. Dr. Young Whan Kim

Rev. Dr. Young Whan (John) Kim, 95, peacefully joined our Lord on Monday, the 6th of April 2020. He was born on the 8th of February 1925, in South Korea to In-Cho Kim and C. Wha Lee, the youngest of their three sons. The pivotal moment in his life came at 6 years of age when American missionaries introduced him to Jesus, sparking a relationship that became the guiding principle of his life. His relationship with Christ shepherded his pursuit of ministry; graduating in 1949 from Cho-Sun Theological Seminary in Seoul, he then crossed the Pacific to continue his education at Bob Jones University in South Carolina (1953-55) and Alma College in Michigan (1955-56). He later received his Master of Divinity degree from Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he fondly remembers winning the hand of Dr. Yong Soon Kim, his wife of 60 years. He is survived by Yong Soon, his daughter, Sheila Heinle, son-in-law, Jeffrey Heinle, and granddaughters, Samantha and Alexandra.

Shortly after studying at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (1964-65), he was commissioned by American Sunday School Union (later American Missionary Fellowship, now In Faith) as a missionary for urban ministry, sharing the gospel widely in the city of Philadelphia. In 1967, Rev. Kim founded a discipleship training program for inner city youth, Pioneers for Christ, fueling his passion for meeting people where they are. His ministry has led to generations of “Pioneers for Christ” across vocations, spawning similar discipleship programs and church plants in other states. Although he retired over three decades later, he remained a beloved “mentor and father in Christ” for countless young people who now as adults, are influencing the generations that follow.

As frailty accompanied advanced age, his enduring faith always gave him the strength to sing the Lord’s praises (quite literally bursting into joyous song for all to hear)! How fitting that he passed away during Holy Week which culminates in freedom from eternal separation from God, reuniting us with our heavenly Father in Christ. Rev. Kim’s life was a picture of discipleship in Christ, leading, encouraging, and serving others in love and self-sacrifice.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

- Isaiah 40:31

A private interment will be conducted at George Washington Memorial Park in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

A memorial service to celebrate his life is to be held at a later date.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in his memory may be directed to Pioneers for Christ by visiting https://infaith.org/give/general-fund.