Jay Kim began his pastoral leadership at the Presbyterian Church of Wilmington in 2025. Prior to coming here, he served in a variety of churches and ministry settings, gaining broad pastoral experience in different areas of church life. 

His pastoral philosophy is closely connected to his theological understanding of faith and the individual. He describes himself as a Christ-centered individualist or a Christ-centered Christian humanist. He believes that God’s work of salvation in human history begins with the individual and continues through individuals. From Adam to Christ, and now through the Holy Spirit working in each person, God carries forward the history of salvation. Through Jesus Christ, he affirms a deeply personal understanding of salvation

His ministry places a strong emphasis on teaching and formation. Centered on worship, every ministry and department of the church is encouraged to grow in learning Christ and studying Scripture. Christian education is therefore at the heart of his pastoral ministry. 

Rev. Kim was born in South Korea and came to the United States for higher education and advanced academic study. He earned a B.A. from Princeton University, master’s degrees from Vanderbilt University and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and holds doctorates from Harvard University (Ph.D.) and Denver Seminary (D.Min.).

His wife, Susan Kim, and their two teenage sons currently reside in Los Angeles, California.

If you enjoy fishing and hot, spicy food, you might quickly become one of his good friends. 

pastorjaykim@pcwilmington.org