Wherever He Leads Me

   *Houlton & Hodgdon & Mars Hill UMC combined service 

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.”

*Michael's 90th birthday in 2015 
(1 year later, we moved up here)  



* 4th of July Parade



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.

                                  *2025 WOW (Women Of Witness) 

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.


2025 Hodgdon Children's Sunday 

2025 Together Tuesday
Joan's 90th Birthday with Mars Hill UMC





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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