Lydia Kim

Lydia Kim has joined the staff of the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/PW ministry area of the GAMC as the ministry specialist for Women’s Leadership and the National Network of Presbyterian College Women and Racial Ethnic Young Women Together. In collaboration with the associate for Women’s Leadership Development, Ms. Kim implements programming and ministries designed to meet the leadership development needs of women in the PC(USA). She serves as support for and the liaison with the National Network of Presbyterian College Women (NNPCW) and Racial Ethnic Young Women Together (REYWT). Ms. Kim will also create and implement the Field Staff program to increase the visibility of NNPCW and REYWT and recruit members into these networks. As well, she will manage the field staff, who will provide support for, programming of and resources to these young women’s networks and seek to assist young women in the networks explore their spirituality, Presbyterian faith and Reformed identity.

For six years Ms. Kim managed and developed residence life and community programs at Westmont College, New York University and Manhattan School of Music. She has also practiced clinical psychology. She has a B.A. in psychology from Clark University (Worcester, Mass.) and an M.A. and has completed academic and practicum components of a Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University (Garden City, N.Y.). She is fluent in Korean and is classically trained in piano and voice.  

She will bring to the position well-honed people skills and program planning skills, as well as a passion for working with young adults. “Having grown up in a Presbyterian church, I have seen the development of women’s roles in the church,” Ms. Kim said about her new position.  “As a student affairs professional, I have witnessed the challenges and struggles faced by today’s young women. I believe that we are faced with exciting but challenging times ahead as today’s young adult Christian women continue to find their places in this world and the church. I have been deeply impressed by the vision of Racial Ethnic and women’s ministries/PW in supporting ministries like NNPCW and REYWT and am excited to participate in the endeavor.”

Rhashell Hunter, Director of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/PW, remarked, “I am overjoyed to serve with Lydia Kim and look forward to her contributions to ministries with young women’s networks in the church.”  

Ms. Kim is a new resident of Louisville with her husband, Alexander Hwang, who serves as assistant professor of Historical Theology at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. They are the parents of two young children. We are pleased to welcome Ms. Kim to the General Assembly Mission Council.