Sun-Ah Kang

I’m a cradle Methodist from South Korea, and just received my PhD in Biblical studies at Garrett-Evangelical. I also serve as an ordained elder in the Northern Illinois Conference. My dissertation explores the influence of the Proverbs 31 woman (“the capable wife”) on Korean Christian women, and the way that has been compounded by both the cultural Confucian ideal of “wise mother/good wife,” and American missionary work. I attempt to retrieve this text for Korean women in creative ways, including fresh readings for the ancient Confucian teaching of Naehun. I live in northwest Illinois with a couple of old-time prophets: Peter, a fellow UMC Provisional Elder and spouse, and Sungho, a toddler full of curiosity.

Through my experience as a teaching assistant for a Hebrew Bible course at Garrett, I gained a profound understanding of the intersection between theology and the local church. While I found it inspiring to hear about students discovering spiritual communities at Garrett, I also observed church leaders limiting women’s roles by appealing to biblical authority. As someone who has personally experienced marginalization, the stories of these students deeply impacted me. This led me to pursue ordination in the UMC with a firm goal of empowering women’s spiritual growth. My aim is to bridge the gap between theology and the local church by emphasizing the importance of rediscovering biblical texts and interpretations that empower women.

I am from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. I like to introduce my country as the “Big Congo,” the second largest country in Africa and larger than the Republic of Congo. I am fascinated by languages and I speak six, including English, French, and Portuguese. But, after studying economics at Africa University, I served as a missionary in Brazil, and began to ask myself questions about Christian service, which led me to Garrett-Evangelical. I thank God today that I am graduating.

Pauline Omboko

(MDiv)

(PhD) (MAPCC)

My first semester was very difficult, not only the difference in language and culture, but because I struggled to deconstruct my embedded theology. I am from Africa and, for us, life is as spiritual as it is physical. Old beliefs had deep roots. But then, I followed a professor’s advice and started a practice of active listening. By listening to others, their stories, and their perspectives, I found I was learning about myself at the same time. My faith and belief system started becoming clearer. I started to fully embrace who I was, to validate my faith, doubts, and questions. Listening deepened my humility and respect for others. More than anything, GarrettEvangelical leaves me with a desire to seek and learn more about God, life, and my faith.

I am originally from Memphis, Tenn., and moved to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1983. Since I already had a masters in adult education, I ran from God when I was called to go back to school. I remember thinking, “God, you’re going to have to swallow me up like Jonah before I go back.” However, God kept putting individuals in my pathway to remind me of what I needed to do and more importantly where I needed to go—to Garrett-Evangelical. Well, God won and five years later I’m graduating, Garrett-Evangelical has nourished my spiritual life by opening my mind to new perspectives and ideas. It has also deepened my faith in God, helping me look beyond what I think I’m capable of doing. I have learned not to put God in a box. The perspectives, ideas, and cultures around me broadened my ability to engage with people who are different from me, while also helping me better know my own beliefs. It’s incredible preparation for how to create a safe counseling environment. In the fall I will sit for my national exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and apply for the designation from my state to become an LPC-in-training. I cannot wait to work as a therapist.