Reverend Hodong Hwang
Pastor Hwang was born and grew up in South Korea and moved to the United States in 2004. He majored in Electrical Engineering in college in Korea and worked in different corporations as an engineer including his own business in the semiconductor industry. As a life-long Christian, his struggles under the dictatorship and with the business experiences in the country led him to pursue theological study at Vanderbilt University. He was ordained in the Middle Tennessee Presbytery and served the Korean Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN, as the assistant pastor and the administrator for 7 years. He moved to Rochester after his wife, Dr. Jin Young Choi, was hired by Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School as the New Testament professor. They have been married for 23 years and have a son, Ben, who is in his senior year at Northwestern University. In Rochester, he has been working with refugees to teach them English and with college students as a chaplain.
Pastor Hwang will offer a calm and steady presence during Mendon Church’s next steps in the healing process, but will not participate in the more significant operational aspects of the church. His duties will include: filling the pulpit on Sundays; leading a Tuesday evening bible study in January and February; and caring for our congregation by visiting and serving communion to our homebound congregants, as well as working with the Deacons to meet the congregation’s needs in other ways.
A Note from Pastor Hwang: In case you’re wondering about me, I love to listen to people’s stories (and eat delicious food, although I sometimes find myself incapable of doing both at the same time!), so I will welcome any call, casual dialogue, comments, or suggestions anytime you offer them. You can reach me directly at (615) 306-2261 and/or harveydhwang@yahoo.com. I ask for your understanding in advance if I happen to call you by the wrong name – I promise that I will try hard to remember the correct one sooner rather than later! May God bless you and me in the new phase of our short journey together.
– Pastor HH
PASTORAL CARE AND PRAYER: For prompt pastoral care, please contact your deacon, Pastor Hodong Hwang (615-306-2261 or harveydhwang@yahoo.com) or Clif Genge (585-370-6658). If you have a prayer request please notify the prayer chain by emailing prayerchain@mendonchurch.org or by calling the church office at (585) 624-1457. Keep in mind that, prior to making the request public, always have permission from the individual or family immediately affected by the prayer.
