08705
September 29, 2008

David Hudson will succeed Insik Kim as area coordinator for Asia and the Pacific

Kim retiring after 35 years leading PC(USA)’s Asia mission work

by Pat Cole
Associate for Mission Communications

LOUISVILLE — The baton of leadership for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s work in Asia and the Pacific is switching hands.

The Rev. Insik Kim

The Rev. Insik Kim, who has coordinated PC(USA) involvement in this part of the world for 35 years, will retire Oct. 31. He will be succeeded by the Rev. David Hudson, a PC(USA) regional  liaison for South Asia. 

Hudson, whose current work is based in India, was selected through a search process that began earlier this year when Kim informed PC(USA) World Mission leaders of his retirement plans.

Kim, a native of North Korea, came to the United States as a seminary student in 1967. Prior to joining the former Presbyterian Church in the United States staff in 1973, he served as supply pastor of Abbeville Presbyterian Church in South Carolina and pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Lavonia, Center, NY. He earned master’s degrees from Erskine Theological Seminary and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University.

As area coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, Hudson will be working with international partners, mission personnel, mission networks and other Presbyterians directly involved in mission in this area.

In addition to their present assignments in South Asia, Hudson and his wife, Susan, have served as PC(USA) mission workers in Pakistan and Korea. They were co-pastors of Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen, NC, before returning to mission service in 2007. David Hudson also has been pastor of Troy (NC) Presbyterian Church, interim general presbyter of Peace River Presbytery in Florida, and director of an international exchange program in Atlanta.

Hudson earned a B.A. degree from Wake Forest University, an M.Div. and Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary.

Kim praised the selection of Hudson as his successor.

Left to right — Sue, Mary and David Hudson

“While serving in Korea, David and Susan worked at the Center for World Mission where they met leaders from countries all over Asia and Africa,” Kim says.  “David is quite knowledgeable about the cultural and religious setting of Asia.  He is a pastor at heart, has the gift of listening ears and knows the importance of working in partnership.  He is a clear thinker and a good communicator.”

Hudson says he is honored to be following the “significant work” of Kim.

"Insik has made numerous contributions to the Christian witness in Asia and the Pacific in more than three decades of remarkable service," Hudson says.

"Among his many accomplishments is his work to re-establish PC(USA) mission relationships in China, helping to build a strong partnership with the China Christian Council and facilitating the sending of mission personnel to that country. Insik's enduring efforts with Koreans to promote peace and reunify North and South Korea has broken new ground.”