No. 478 – A Personal Note of Gratitude 2026 04 12

No. 478 – A Personal Note of Gratitude 2026 04 12 Today, I would like to share a personal milestone with our church family—not as an accomplishment to celebrate for myself, but as an opportunity to express my gratitude to God and to all of you. On May 15, 2026, I was awarded the degree of Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). When people hear the word “doctor,” they often think of physicians or academic researchers with a Ph.D. A Doctor of Ministry degree, however, is designed specifically for pastors who are called to preaching, shepherding, and practical ministry. As I look back, I remember graduating from the same seminary with my Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in May of 2005. It is hard to believe that twenty years have passed since then. Throughout those years, God has faithfully shaped, refined, and guided me through the joys and challenges of ministry and life. This doctoral journey began in 2021, during the uncertainty and disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when much of the world seemed to come to a standstill, God called me back into a season of learning, reflection, and preparation. While the journey was not always easy, it became a meaningful time in which the Lord deepened my understanding of ministry and clarified His direction for the future. My doctoral project was titled: “Developing an Apologetic Doctrinal Workshop to Train Believers at Atlanta Korean Baptist Church to Communicate the Gospel Effectively to the Next Generation.” While the title may sound somewhat academic, the central question behind the project is very simple: How can we communicate the gospel more clearly, more convincingly, and more faithfully to the next generation? With that question in mind, I sought to develop a practical training model that brings together the gospel, Christian doctrine, apologetics, and discipleship. My hope is that this project will become more than a research paper. I pray it will serve as a useful tool for strengthening our church and equipping future generations to know, love, and share Christ. Church family, I sincerely believe this degree is not merely a personal achievement. It is the fruit of a journey we have walked together. Your prayers, encouragement, patience, and support have sustained me throughout these years. I could not have completed this work without you, and for that I am deeply grateful. I would also like to mention one practical matter. In about a month, I will need to travel to New Orleans for several days to participate in graduation-related events. Although I will be away briefly, I am making preparations in advance to ensure that there will be no interruption to the ministry of our church. Most importantly, our Sunday worship services will continue as planned, and I remain committed to faithfully serving you through the ministry of the Word and prayer. Looking ahead, my desire is to put this research into practice within our church. I hope we will continue to build a gospel-centered culture that helps people understand not only that we believe, but also why we believe, what we believe, and how that faith transforms the way we live. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your pastor. I am grateful for each of you and look forward to what God will continue to do among us in the years ahead. With gratitude in Christ, Pastor Choi