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Dr. Sally Haynes
Senior Pastor

Thanks for checking out our website and my bio! Here’s what you ought to know about me: I've been in ministry in Missouri for 28 years. (Yikes, has it been that long?) Like many of you, I came to Missouri in a roundabout way. I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina. And then I fell in love with a Missouri boy, and the rest is history. I received both my M.Div. and my D.Min. from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City.

I believe that God's love is greater than any human can imagine, and that the Bible is that love story between God and humans. I believe that we are called to live that love out in the world, and that it makes a difference how we treat our neighbors, whether they live next door to us or half a world away. I think it is great that our forms of worship continue to expand, to draw in new generations, while building on the firm foundation given to us by our grandparents in the faith. I believe that God is at work in the world and in the church, and that the best days of the church are ahead of us!

Andy and I have three children, who are all in college and/or grad school. (I'll be glad to brag on them if you ask!) In my spare time (what's that?), I enjoy knitting and scuba diving, but not at the same time. I love to read, from murder mysteries to church-related books. Some books that I'm recommending right now are Dog On It by Spencer Quinn (a murder mystery told through the eyes of Chet the dog), Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard (a fascinating book about how President James Garfield was not killed by an assassin's bullet, but by the refusal of his doctors to use aseptic techniques), and The Outwardly Focused Congregation.

Rev. Choong-Ho Kwon
Associate Pastor

Nice to meet you! My name is Choong-Ho. I know it's a cool Korean name. I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. I graduated Methodist seminary and began my ministry career in Seoul, too. My wife Bu-Sung and I married in 1999. We met at the same church in Korea. We have two children. They are truly God's gifts – very active gifts!

Since we moved to Kansas City area in 2001, I have been serving United Methodist Church.

It's my pleasure to be a family of First UMC and serve with Rev. Sally Haynes. It is quite a blessing for all of us. And I hope our ministry become a blessing for our community too.

I believe God is preparing "New Days" for us. You and I are called to witness His wonderful Work.

Hope to see you all in one of our 4 wonderful worship services in every weekend.