First Presbyterian Church
Our Staff
Rev. Dr. Isaiah Kim Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Isaiah Kim proudly represents the fourth generation of his family’s deep-rooted commitment to the Presbyterian Christian tradition. After college, his passion for discipleship and mission took him across the world. Through mission organizations, OM (Operation Mobilization) and YWAM (Youth With A Mission), he has trained and served in the following countries: Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, England, and Sweden.
In pursuit of deeper theological understanding, Pastor Isaiah moved to the United States, receiving his M.Div. and Th.M. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. from Concordia Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. His academic journey continues as he enlightens future leaders as an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary, Littleton, Colorado.
During his time at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Pastor Isaiah met his wife and ministry partner, Mi Young Chung. Together, they are blessed with four children and have embraced the call to homeschool, instilling the foundational values of faith and education. The family cherishes their time together, especially while hiking and exploring West Virginia’s serene landscapes.
Pastor Isaiah also serves as a hospital chaplain on a voluntary basis, seeing this as a vital way to serve and support the community. His compassionate presence brings comfort and hope to those facing challenging health situations.
Pastor Isaiah aspires to embody the role of a theologian pastor, blending theological knowledge with the boundless love of Christ. He is committed to preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ with unwavering fervor, nurturing the health and vitality of the Church, and actively contributing to the expansion of God’s Kingdom.
Mi Young Chung Christian Educator
Mi Young, a vibrant second-generation Korean-American, has woven her rich cultural heritage into her approach to education and faith. Raised in Chicago, Illinois, she discovered her calling in the field of education early on, beginning her journey as an elementary school teacher. Her profound love for children and her desire to intertwine the teachings of Christ with educational growth propelled her towards specializing in Christian Education.
Her pursuit of excellence led her to Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. There, Mi Young deepened her knowledge and honed her skills in Christian Education, emerging as an expert in the field. Her academic journey is a testament to her dedication to nurturing young minds in the light of the Gospel of Christ.
Mi Young’s vision extends beyond traditional teaching methods. She is driven by a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of combining the Word of God with the love of Christ in education. Her approach is holistic, aiming to foster not just intellectual growth, but spiritual, emotional, and social development in children. Mi Young’s passion for raising godly children is evident in her innovative teaching practices, which are designed to instill a solid foundation of faith, character, and love.
Choir Director
Garry Grice is a tenor who sang principal operatic roles with such distinguished companies as New York City Opera, Bavarian State Opera, Milwaukee Florentine, Calgary and Des Moines Metro Opera, among many others in the United States and German speaking Europe. Several of Mr. Grice’s operatic roles and concerts have been televised in the US, Canada and Germany. As opera producer and director, he has served as artistic director of Pennsylvania Lyric Opera for eight years, and Indiana Opera North for eight years. As an educator, Garry taught at Washington State University at Pullman and the University of Kansas City Conservatory. Garry acted as head of voice and opera at Indiana University at South Bend (4 yrs), and director of opera theater at the University of Notre Dame for six years. He maintained a private studio in New York City for several years and most recently, he taught voice lessons and directed musicals at Indiana University Kokomo. Garry and Wendy believe their music is a gift from God to be used as a mission and a portion of their tithe. They consider the students they teach as their mission field, and they have always been active in church music. Garry directed both choirs and bells choirs in churches in Indiana and Pennsylvania before settling in West Virginia.
Pianist
Wendy Grice recently retired as Director of Music at Indiana University Kokomo where she taught a variety of music classes, directed the choirs, and taught private voice lessons. She has performed over 25 principal opera roles, and she created the role of Susanna Wesley in the world’s premier of A Church of One Book for the Northern Indiana United Methodist Church. Wendy has appeared as soloist with orchestras in the Midwest and on the East Coast. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Vocal Performance and Literature, a Ph.D. in Education with a focus in vocal pedagogy, and advanced graduate study in Choral Conducting. She taught at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, East Stroudsburg University, Marywood University, and DeSales University in Pennsylvania, and finally, Indiana U. Kokomo. As the daughter of a United Methodist pastor in Indiana, Wendy has been a professional church musician since the 1970s. She has directed choirs and acted as organist/pianist in churches in both Indiana and Pennsylvania. Wendy finds fulfillment as a Christian musician in the musical fellowship with other worshippers, and she is an avid believer in participatory worship.
Church Administrator
Leisa Moten joined First Presbyterian Church Hinton over two years ago after serving as an administrative assistant for more than twenty years at her childhood church in Bluefield, Virginia. A graduate with honors from The National School of Business and Technology, Leisa discovered her passion for desktop publishing, computers, and office work during her studies. Her love for serving God and people, combined with her business school education, naturally led her to a career in church administration.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Leisa is deeply committed to volunteering and helping those in need. She has actively engaged with the surrounding communities by serving as a peer counselor at a Crisis Pregnancy Center, organizing drives to provide food and supplies for the homeless, and co-founding an animal service and advocacy nonprofit organization fourteen years ago that continues to improve the lives of animals in the area.
Leisa is dedicated to using her administrative skills to serve our church, embodying good stewardship and gratitude. She aims to foster relationships within the congregation and ensure that everyone who enters our doors feels welcomed and experiences the love of God.
Organist
Ms. North has a rich musical background, having started piano lessons at the age of six and playing for various churches earlier in her life. In 2009, she moved from San Antonio to Hinton, drawn by the allure of mountains and distinct seasons. Shortly after her arrival, she joined First Presbyterian Church and became an active choir member. When the church’s organist left a few years later, Ms. North stepped in and found a deep passion for playing the beautiful instrument.