7B Saturday, August 1, 1998 Bureau County Republican

Cross-cultural setting fulfills

pastor's dream

BY LYLE GANTHER

BCR STAFF

MALDEN - A dream has been fulfilled for a new pastor of two Methodist churches in Bureau County. Henry Whang, who was appointed the pastor of the Wyanet and Maiden United Methodist churches on July 5, always has dreamed to be with people living in a rural setting.

"I always wanted to have a ministry in a rural area," he said.

Whang said he also wanted to serve in a different culture instead of a Methodist church that served a Korean community. "This cross-cultural setting is a very, special experience," he said. "I will 1earn a lot more in another culture." Whang said he is one of 20 Asian pastors serving in a cross-cultural setting in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Churches, one of the most open conferences in the denomination for this kind of ministry.

The people attending the Wyanet and Malden United Methodist Churches have been friendly to the Whangs since their arrival.

Despite this appointment being his first after graduating from seminary, Whang said he brings an old style Methodism to his ministry since the United Methodist Church, which started in Korea almost 100 years ago by missionaries, has been maintained in the Methodist churches in Korea.

Whang said he hopes to draw more members back to the Malden United Methodist Church. "I will try and pray very hard for this to happen," he said. The goal of Whang’s ministry at the Wyanet United Methodist Church, is to insure the members grow spiritually and keep their faith. "I like both churches," and the people have been very nice and hospitable to us," Whang said.

Whang also likes the cooperation among five Methodist churches in Bureau County. Those churches have formed an organization called MOROWW, which stands for Malden, Ohio, Red Oak, Walnut and Wyanet.

Whang was ordained on June 7 after studying pastoral care at the Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago. He previously attended the Perkins School of Theology in Dallas.

Whang came to this country from his native land of Korea in 1986 and settled with his family first in Little Rock, AR., and then later in Austin, Texas. His wife Esther, came with her family in 1984 and settled in Orange County, Calif. The two met when they were both in the Los Angeles Airport on trips to see relatives in Korea. The Whangs have been married for four years and have a daughter, Priscilla, who is 2 ½ years old.