Reverend Dave (DaeGyu) Yim

Lead Pastor

Pastor Dave (Dae-gyu) Yim was born and raised in Incheon, South Korea. He married Bang-Wool in 2010 in Seoul, South Korea. He is the father of a 13-year-old son, Jiho, a 10-year-old son, Jiwon, and an 8-year-old son, Jisung. 

Pastor Dave personally accepted Jesus as Savior while in middle school, an experience that remains vivid. While praying with his mom, he felt that God loves him so much. Later, in high school, he was on a short-term mission trip to the Philippines, where God reaffirmed God’s love, extending it not only to Pastor Dave but also to the people he encountered in the Philippines. He firmly believes that the universal love of God is available for all men and women worldwide through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Pastor Dave graduated from Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea, in 2008. He earned his master’s degree from Methodist Graduate School in Seoul in 2011. In 2011, immediately after completing his graduate studies, Pastor Dave came to the United States to study abroad, accompanied by Bang-Wool and Jiho. He obtained his M.Div. (Master of Divinity) degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston in 2015. Bang-Wool majored in music composition at Soong-Sil University in Seoul in 2005, and she has been providing piano lessons for many children while also accompanying piano at various churches. Pastor Dave was commissioned as a provisional member in 2020 and fully ordained as an Elder in 2022.           

Pastor Dave served as a student pastor and children minister in Seoul for four years before he came to the United States. He was an assistant pastor at Our Saviour’s UMC in Schaumberg for two years while he was in the seminary. He dedicated five years to ministering at Leland UMC & Ottawa Evangelical UMC at a local pastor and four years to ministering at Savanna First UMC as an Elder. Pastor Dave is deeply passionate about facilitating both the physical and spiritual growth of churches and helping people meet Jesus Christ. His love for God’s churches is evident, and his heart is committed to serving God, God’s people, and others in the local community. Pastor Dave is also enthusiastic about studying the Word of God and sharing its teachings with church members. He loves visiting people. Additionally, he holds a strong passion for mission work, music, caring for children and youth, and people in need.           

Pastor Dave enjoys listening to music, reading books, and outdoor activities such as riding bicycle, hiking, and gardening during his free time. He also likes playing table tennis, guitar, and soccer. Family meals bring him joy, and he appreciates all kinds of food. Pastor Dave has a deep love for nature and trees.