Volunteer Spotlight: Alex Kang
Why did you decide to visit and stay at APCC?
I didn’t want to go to a Korean church that a lot of my old friends in the area went to. Nor did I want to go to a megachurch where there’s a ton of layers between the pastor and I. I googled local churches and essentially went with the first one; I got lucky in that sense with APCC. I stuck around since I wasn’t invited to join communion immediately while I wasn’t a member and the sermons were Christ-centered more so than a “do this to live a good life” speech. Grace and redemption were a necessary focal point for the sermons at the church I decided I want to commit to. I wanted to find a church that I could settle down and allow roots to grow.
I liked the fact that the church I saw while visiting wasn’t mono-cultural; it was multi-generational and there were kids everywhere—which was a rarity when I was in Korea. My current CG has a wide array of life stages which definitely helps shed different lights on sermons and topics that we discuss weekly. I like coming to church on Sundays and hearing how involved other members are in the local community; it feels as though I’m always hearing about a new outreach activity. There are always constant reminders that the mission field isn’t far off in some distant land; it’s right in front of us.
What ministry do you serve with and why?
In my time with APCC, I’ve been with the Welcoming team; Hon [McBride] signed me up before I could say okay. I’ve also recently joined the children’s ministry; though, as of now my time may be a bit strained since I’m finally opening my own restaurant. Children see things differently and it’s refreshing being around minds that are open to possibilities. Growing up I was fortunate to have consistent older brothers and sisters in the church to really invest time into me; and I’d like to be able to do the same.
How did you come to faith in Christ?
I grew up in a Korean Presbyterian church in the South where the Korean community was small. Church was a mix of Korean culture and pseudo-Christianity thrown in on top of it. That’s not to say there weren’t believers there, but meeting other Koreans and finding comfort with other Korean immigrants came first for many people that attended. Actions speak louder than words and there was always an “us vs. them” with the church’s actions towards the surrounding community. “Counting the cost” of following Christ didn’t come to mind until college when I began to take my faith seriously.
Post-college life was challenging in terms of my walk since I lived most of it in a foreign country be it Korea or Vietnam or other random country. Living a lifestyle that is so transient and uncertain doesn’t allow space to plant roots. These times were deserts in terms of my faith, but my time in these deserts only strengthened and confirmed my faith in Christ.
