The Rev. John Choi has been appointed the new pastor of Bethany United Methodist Church, Gloucester Point. His first Sunday will be July 6.

Originally from South Korea, Choi attended high school and college in Georgia. He holds a B.A. in History from Emory University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Choi has served in the Virginia Conference over the past 20 years, first as a youth pastor for one year and then four years as an associate pastor at the Korean UMC of Greater Washington.

He then served at Saint John’s UMC in Buena Vista for seven years. Following that appointment, Choi served at Central UMC in Mathews for eight years.

In the fall of 2022, he married Jurah, who was living in Seoul. He moved there the following summer, beginning what became a two-year leave from pastoral ministry. During that time, he visited historic churches, worked with a fitness trainer, and took doctoral classes from Boston University School of Theology, before returning to the U.S. with Jurah in April.

Choi’s particular interest is biblical teachings on a spirit-led life, as modeled by the Apostle Paul’s wishes for Christ to be formed in his people (Galatians 4:19), according to a release from the church. He also enjoys following baseball and golf. He and Jurah are looking forward to getting to know the Bethany Church family, as well as it’s beautiful, historic community that surrounds it, the release stated.