Staff
Dr. Stephen Um
Senior Minister
Dr. Stephen Um
Senior Minister
Stephen Um (Ph.D., University of St. Andrews) is the senior minister of Citylife Presbyterian Church in Boston, MA. He serves as a Council member with The Gospel Coalition, and is Associate Training Director for Redeemer City to City. For the past 25 years, Stephen and his wife, have been involved in several Presbyterian Churches throughout the Northeastern part of the country. He is the author of The Kingdom of God, Why Cities Matter (Crossway, 2013), the commentary on 1 Corinthians from the Preaching the Word series (2015), and Micah for You (Good Book Company). His sermons and resources are available online at The Center for Gospel Culture.
Dr. Richard Lints
Theologian in Residence
Dr. Richard Lints
Theologian in Residence
Dr. Lints is the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Hamilton Campus. He originally joined the Gordon-Conwell faculty in 1986 having previously served as Lecturer in Philosophical Theology at Trinity College in Bristol, UK. He served as Professor of Systematic and Philosophical Theology from 1994 until his appointment as Andrew Mutch Distinguished Professor of Theology in 2008. He has also taught at several other colleges and theological schools, including Yale Divinity School, the University of Notre Dame, Westminster Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary.
Rev. David Cho
Assistant Pastor and Chief of Staff
Rev. David Cho
Assistant Pastor and Chief of Staff
David Cho is an Assistant Pastor at Citylife Presbyterian Church, Boston, MA. After completing his B.A. in Economics and Comparative Religion at Tufts University, David resumed his studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he completed his M.Div. in 2007. His greatest passion is to see the gospel of grace reach both Christians and non-Christians. He currently resides in Boston with his wife Sharon.
Rev. Timothy Chang
Campus Pastor - Chestnut Hill
Rev. Timothy Chang
Campus Pastor - Chestnut Hill
Tim grew up in New York City (first five years in Brooklyn and then in Staten Island through high school). He has been in the Greater Boston area since 2004. Although he considers Boston his home, you’ll never see Tim cheer for any of the area sports teams as his allegiances still remain with New York. Tim enjoys good food – quantity over quality – and a hearty laugh. He and his wife Ji live in Newton, MA.
Justin Ruddy
Assistant Minister and Director of Community Groups
Justin Ruddy
Assistant Minister and Director of Community Groups
Justin is originally from the rusty city of Scranton, PA, but has called Boston home for the last decade. He is an alumnus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and serves on staff at Citylife Presbyterian Church. His interests include theology, songwriting, fiction, film and baseball.
Rev. Andrew Kerhoulas
Assistant Pastor and Music Director
Rev. Andrew Kerhoulas
Assistant Pastor and Music Director
After growing up in the mountains of NC, Andrew studied Music and Bible/theology at Asbury University. Andrew then spent three years at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div. ’12). There he met Anne, whom he married in ’13. Andrew is an assistant pastor and the music director for our Boston campus. In addition to seeing God’s grace change all kinds of people, Andrew enjoys trying his hand at songwriting, running, commuting on his bike, and drinking coffee.
Daniel Paik
Director of University Ministry and Missions
Daniel Paik
Director of University Ministry and Missions
Daniel is originally from South Carolina, where he earned a B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy at the Univ. of S. Carolina. After graduating, Daniel worked for a year with CRU in Beirut, Lebanon before moving to Boston in 2011 to study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he obtained his M.Div a few years later. He developed a heart for ministry in global cities during his college years and has come to appreciate Boston as his home. He and his wife Jenn live in East Boston. Daniel’s interests include theology, sports, and traveling.
Dave Nameun Cho
Director of Welcoming and Office Administrator
Dave Nameun Cho
Director of Welcoming and Office Administrator
Nameun first came to Boston in 2006, and 4 years later, earned his B.A. in Accounting at Boston College. After receiving his calling into ministry, Nameun entered Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he completed his M.Div. in 2013. His interests include baseball, board games, good food, and great company. Nameun’s greatest passion is to see the Gospel impact the lives of individuals through discipline, relationships, and missions. He currently resides in Boston with his wife, Sarah, and daughter, Isabelle.
Rev. Benjamin Bae
Assistant Pastor and Music Director - Chestnut Hill
Rev. Benjamin Bae
Assistant Pastor and Music Director - Chestnut Hill
After graduating from University of Southern California, Ben moved to the east coast for the first time to attend Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2011. He completed his M.Div in 2014, Th.M in 2016. Ben is currently serving at the Chestnut Hill campus as an Assistant Pastor and Music Director.
Sam Lee
Sound Engineer and Operations Coordinator
Sam Lee
Sound Engineer and Operations Coordinator
After graduating from Hanyang University in South Korea with a B.S. in Electronic Engineering, Sam was called to music ministry. In 2004, he moved to Boston to obtain musical training on Jazz Composition and Performance at Berklee College of Music where he studied with the likes of John Lockwood, Steve Rochinski, Matt Garrison, Jetro da Silva, and Greg Hopkins. Sam has performed at many notable venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Blue Note, and Scullers with many different artists. He continues to be very active in New England and NYC music scene as a bassist, sound/recording engineer, and composer. Sam’s vision is to reach out to non-Christian musicians as a bridge between them and Jesus Christ.
Lauren Boyer
Director of Mercy Ministry
Lauren Boyer
Director of Mercy Ministry
Lauren hails from Pennsylvania Dutch farm country but has been learning how to pretend to belong in a city for ten years. She first came to Boston to study International Relations at Boston University. After graduating, she spent two years doing ministry in the Middle East before returning to Boston to continue in full time ministry. She is passionate about helping others cross cultural, economic, and social divides to find common ground through Jesus Christ. Lauren loves laughing, the Philadelphia Eagles, music, baking, presidential history, and ice cream. She invites anyone to have a good laugh or a chat about Abe Lincoln over coffee and baked goods any day.
lauren.boyer@citylifeboston.org
Isaac Bruning
Family Ministry Coordinator
Isaac Bruning
Family Ministry Coordinator
The son of a military family, Isaac grew up in many parts of the U.S. and beyond. He met his wife, Lynn, in Arkansas at Harding University, where he completed his undergraduate studies and earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Ministry. The Brunings moved to the Boston area in 2015 for Isaac to begin theological studies. He is currently in his third year of the Master of Divinity program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and serves the married couples and families of Citylife. Isaac and Lynn live in Beverly and love—among many other things—good stories, the great outdoors, and their dog, Lazarus.
Kate Albert
Women's Ministry Coordinator
Kate Albert
Women's Ministry Coordinator
Kate originally hails from Philadelphia, and though she still roots for her home teams, she is slowly growing to love Boston sports. Kate earned a B.A. in Government from the College of William and Mary, where she also played four years of lacrosse. She then went on to earn her M.S. in Sport Administration from the University of Louisville. She spent several years as a collegiate lacrosse coach in Virginia before moving to Boston in 2015 to marry her husband, Tim. Her interests include theology, hospitality, and all competitive sports. Kate is passionate about women growing in their knowledge of and love for the Lord, and walking together through the joys and sorrows of life. She currently resides in Boston with her husband, Tim and their son, Caleb.
Kevin Keating
Pastoral Intern - Chestnut Hill
Kevin Keating
Pastoral Intern - Chestnut Hill
Although born in Chicago, Kevin spent most of his life in Iowa, where he received his B.A in English/Education. He came out to Boston to study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he received his M.Div. Kevin is constantly in the process of making things, whether it’s a board game to play with friends, an epic poem to perform at an open mic, or a play-area for his cat, Batman, to enjoy – engaging in creative work is one of the key ways he experiences awe in his Creator and connection to others.
kevin.keating@citylifeboston.org
Jennifer Paik
Children's Ministry Coordinator - Boston
Jennifer Paik
Children's Ministry Coordinator - Boston
Jennifer is originally from Southern California, but moved to Boston to earn her B.A. in Biology from Boston University. With a growing love for the city, Jennifer stayed to pursue a Masters in Public Health from Tufts University and has called Boston her home for over 7 years. She currently works as a research analyst for a health care agency. In her spare time, Jennifer likes to eat pizza, watch various documentaries, and explore restaurants in her new neighborhood of East Boston.
Lauren Murphy
Children's Ministry Coordinator - Chestnut Hill
Lauren Murphy
Children's Ministry Coordinator - Chestnut Hill
Originally from sunny California, Lauren moved to Boston 10 years ago, but neither snow, nor heat can keep her from this beautiful city which she has come to love! Lauren received her B.A. from Wellesley College and her M.A. in Counseling from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She is working to become a licensed counselor and also serves as the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at the Chestnut Hill campus. In her spare time, Lauren likes to explore Boston, have a good laugh with friends, and root for the Red Sox.
Esther Kim
Children's Ministry Assistant - Chestnut Hill
Esther Kim
Children's Ministry Assistant - Chestnut Hill
Esther is currently a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Counseling student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She serves as the Children’s Ministry Assistant Coordinator at the Chestnut Hill campus. Esther cherishes timeless friendships, spontaneous adventures, and delightful flavor and texture combinations in food.
Elders
Perry An
Ruling Elder
Tom Chung
Ruling Elder
Ryan McReynolds
Ruling Elder
Kurt Richardson
Ruling Elder
Kurt Richardson
Ruling Elder
Kurt grew up on a farm on the banks of a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, the deepest river (Choptank) in the world for its width. In his eleventh year the Orioles swept the Dodgers in the World Series and the Yankees finished dead last. As a sophomore in high school, Kurt trusted Christ and the trajectory of his life changed forever. Kurt went on to major in Spectator Sports at the Univ of Tennessee and has been on staff with Cru since 1977. Kurt and Susie came to Boston 7 years ago, after many years at Arizona State.
Diaconate
Ken Arnold
Deacon
Susan Arnold
Deaconess
Debbie Barnes
Deaconess
Latasha Boyd
Deaconess
Sarah Cho
Deaconess
Taylor Horner
Deacon
Anne Kerhoulas
Deaconess
Jemin Kim
Deacon
Betty Lee
Deaconess
Chloe Lee
Deaconess
John Lee
Deacon
Mike Lee
Diaconate Chair
Sage Paik
Deaconess
Michael Saji
Deacon
Erica Seery
Deaconess
Jonathan Seery
Deacon
David Song
Deacon
Ben Sharbaugh
Deacon
Marcus Tjia
Deacon
Jensen Ying
Deacon
