Wherever He Leads Me
Wherever He Leads
Me
(Matthew 28:16-20)
June 29, 2025
Houlton, Hodgdon, and Mars Hill UMC
Dear
beloved Houlton, Hodgdon, and Mars Hill UMC families, today, we gather together
as one big family in God, one body in Christ, one Spirit in the Holy Spirit,
and one in love. This is a special day because we are stepping into a new
chapter of life together.
Eleven
years ago, God brought our family to Houlton. When the District Superintendent
asked us to come to Northern Maine, we were sad to leave Dalton UMC, our first
Anglican church. We were also nervous. We didn’t know anyone here. We had no
Korean friends or familiar food. But we prayed, “Wherever God leads, we will
follow.”
And
so, we came. And you welcomed us with open hearts. I still remember Michael
Swallow. Though he was in his late 80s and his hands trembled, he helped us
move in with steady love. Houlton and Hodgdon churches brought us baskets full
of food and gifts. You helped us feel at home. We even rode in the Fourth of
July parade on a truck with a welcome sign made by Don Woods! Everyone in town
knew who we were—“the Korean pastor’s family.”
With
God’s grace and Paula’s help, we began serving two churches. We couldn’t have
done it without Paula, Perry, Duane, Bonnie, and so many of you. In 2022, God
added Mars Hill UMC to our journey. Thanks to Pastor Mary Miller, we were able
to grow and serve together. She has been a great blessing—faithful, wise, and
inspiring.
Yes,
it’s cold here—six months of winter! But it’s beautiful. We fell in love with
Northern Maine. We fell in love with you. You became our family. You raised me
as a pastor. You cared for my family, especially during my health struggles. You
brought us food for three weeks, prayed for us, and even gave us offerings to
help. You became parents and grandparents to us. When I had surgery, gave
birth, or couldn’t pick them up, you were there.
You
taught them how to live, how to share, how to play music, and even how to do
math. You helped raise our children in love. There aren’t enough pages to list
all the blessings we’ve received through you these past 11 years.
I’m
thankful that I’m not moving far. I’ll still be nearby. You’re stuck with me!
But still, it’s hard to say goodbye. Since May, I’ve been saying, “This is the
last meeting” or “the last service.” My heart is heavy. I’ve cried many times.
In
today’s Bible passage, Jesus’ disciples also went through a goodbye. Before He
went back to heaven, Jesus gave them His last words—the Great Commission. And
in those words, we find comfort, calling, and courage.
1.
My Galilee
The
Bible says, “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus
had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped—but some doubted.” (Matthew
28:16–17)
The
word “eleven” reminds us that one of them—Judas—was gone. The disciples were
hurting. They had lost their friend. They were scared and confused. At first,
they stayed hidden in Jerusalem. But Jesus told them to go to Galilee, where it
all began. That was the place Jesus first met them, called them, and showed
them miracles.
Galilee
was their home. And Jesus brought them back there to comfort them. Some believe
over 500 people gathered on that mountain. There, Jesus reminded them of His
love, their purpose, and their community.
For
me, Houlton, Hodgdon, and Mars Hill are my “Galilee.” This is where I became a
pastor. This is where I was comforted and cared for. This is where I began the
journey of ministry. Now you send me to Patten, and I go with a full heart.
We
may feel grief and fear today. But Jesus meets us here in our Galilee. He
comforts us and sends us peace.
2.
The Great Commission
Then
Jesus gave the Great Commission. He said,
“All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So go and make disciples
of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I’ve commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18–20a)
Jesus
gave us a mission with three parts:
- Go – Tell the good news to
all people, everywhere.
- Baptize – Welcome people into
God’s family.
- Teach – Help others learn and
live like Jesus.
Looking
back, I thank God that our three churches lived out the Great Commission.
Even
when I couldn’t speak English well—I mixed up “R” and “L” and said “Black Fry”
instead of “Black Fly”—God helped us grow. With Mary Taylor’s help, we started
a women’s Bible study. It grew into two groups. I learned from strong, faithful
women like Ethel, Patty, Joyce, Liz, and especially Helen Woods, who has walked
with us for all 11 years.
Together,
we opened Sunday School in Hodgdon. Now, we have 15 children and 7 volunteers
with Stacy and a wonderful team. We shared so many memories in Houlton with
Sunday School, youth choir, VBS, Mom and Me, Super Saturday, and Together Tuesday
programs. We celebrated our last Together Tuesday with 12 volunteers and 15
children.
When
we had to leave the two-church ministry, we were sad. But God gave us Mars
Hill. There, we were blessed by faithful brothers and sisters—John and Nina,
Joan and Blinn, Brian and Diane, Bonnie and Andy, Gaye, and others.
Today,
our three churches are united as one. You put each other first. We share
services and events. We are one in the Spirit.
Victor
gave me a poster for my new office in Patten. It says, “The world is our
parish.” We say this together today—“The world is our parish.” God is sending
us all, together, to share His love with even more people as John Wesley did.
Henri
Nouwen said the spiritual life is not just about arriving, but also about
returning. We left heaven to come to earth. We leave our mother’s womb. We
leave home for school or marriage. One day, we will leave this world and return
to our eternal home. Life is full of leaving—but each step can be filled with
God’s blessing. Wherever God leads me, I will follow Him. Wherever God leads
us, can we follow God?
3.
God Is Always With Us
Jesus
finished with this promise:
“I
am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
In
the beginning of Matthew, Jesus is called Immanuel—“God with us.” At the end of
Matthew, Jesus says, “I am with you always to the end of the age.” We are never
alone.
In
John 16:7, Jesus said it was better for Him to go—so the Holy Spirit could
come. That means we have a helper, a guide, and a friend always with us.
Even
though I won’t be in the same pulpit every Sunday, I will still be with you in
prayer. God has a big plan, even if we can’t see it all yet. As we work
together for the Cluster One-Day VBS, Women’s Retreat, and new mission
projects, I believe we’ll see even more of His plan.
One
church can’t do everything. But together, we can do greater things.
"For
the past month, I have often fasted in the morning and sang one song every day:
'When He Leads Me.' 'I can hear my Savior calling, Take thy cross and
follow, follow me. Where He leads me, I will follow, I’ll go with Him, with Him
all the way.' As the hymn continues, I confess, 'I’ll go with Him through the
garden. I’ll go with Him through the judgment. He will give me grace and
glory.'
Today,
God gathered us in our spiritual Galilee, where He first called us. He
comforts our grief and fear. He gives us the Great Commission. He gives us
courage with His promise to be with us always. Now I can sing this song throughout
my life. May God let us say all together, 'Wherever He leads me, we will follow
Him.' Amen.
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