Samuel Kim

Samuel grew up in Kunsan, South Korea, in a predominantly non-religious home. He would attend the occasional church service but was unable to view church as anything more than religion. Upon completing high school and fulfilling his two-year obligation of Korean military service, Samuel enrolled in a university to study tourism. He sought a job helping people plan trips to other countries and directing their travel plans.

While in college, Samuel developed a desire to learn English. This drew him to attend an English-speaking church nearby, which was positioned near a US military base. The pastor of The Haven Independent Baptist Church, Bill Stewart, was wise in his handling of Samuel, and men would gather to memorize Bible verses. Samuel recounts his experience in memorizing John 3:16 for the first time, realizing God's tremendous love for him as a person. "Not religion," he says, "but reality."
Through studying God's word and seeing a congregation that treated Christianity not as a religion but as a life-changing lifestyle, Samuel turned away from his sins and turned to Christ.

Samuel was told of a Korean ministry nearby that needed a translator. His ministry began with translating the midweek Kings Kids program into Korean. Though his English was nominal at first, with practice, study, and much preparation, he became more comfortable. Soon, the need arose for a translator for the adult service. With fear and trembling, Samuel agreed to do his best. He asked for the service schedule and sermon notes early, and then would spend hours each week looking up words and translating on paper to prepare for each service.

Every year, Fairhaven Baptist College enrolls a few foreign students. These students come from other countries with a student visa and a strong recommendation from an Independent Baptist missionary or pastor. At this Korean church, pastored by Jim Taylor, Samuel met a couple of Fairhaven Baptist College graduates who were assisting Pastor Taylor. With a desire to be used of God in a special way and with a strong recommendation from his pastor, Samuel applied for a student visa to Fairhaven Baptist College.

As a student at Fairhaven, Samuel was challenged deeply by the sermons and testimony of a missionary to China who was speaking at Fairhaven. Samuel's burden for China became so great that he spent over a month with this missionary last summer, learning the ministry, culture, and basics of the Chinese language. Samuel's passion for the lost was evident as he preached to the congregation of Fairhaven Baptist Church recently.

Samuel Kim will graduate in May. He plans to finish a master's degree while simultaneously learning Chinese, after which he desires to enter China as a missionary. In a sense, his desire to work in the travel industry is being fulfilled. He would love to help the people of China, but not for travel to countries on this earth; he wants to direct them to the heavenly country. Please pray for this fine, sincere young man as he continues down the path of God's will for his life.