Introducing Daniel Ko, who will be running in our Pastor Track this year as long as he limits his Chicago references to 11. We asked Dan 3 questions… who are you, what is your God story, and why is now the time for you to be in the Seven Mile Pastor Track?
My name is Dan and I’m the elder son of Korean immigrants. Born & raised in Chicago, I have Cubbie-blue running through my veins, which should induce some empathy with Bostonians who’ve followed the Red Sox pre-2004. After several years of ministry in the cornfields of Illinois, I heard the call of God to move to Boston. So in June 2008, I moved here and am now attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Joining me in this journey out east is my wife-to-be, Caroline, whom I met in my years at the University of Illinois. She’s originally from the Long Island area of New York & is perfect in every way imaginable. In all seriousness, she’s my better 3/4s.
Although I grew up with believing parents, I never understood the Gospel, nor did I ever try to. Up until the end of High School, I was your typical rebellious teenager who found joy in breaking the mold of the typical asian scholastic superstar. But through a funny set of circumstances, I found myself at a conference where the Gospel was being preached and it all just sort of clicked. I was really bad, God was indescribably good, & He loved me so much that He died for me. And from that day forward, things were really never the same. I made a 180 degree turn from what I was pursuing after and began to run furiously toward all things God. It was during my Sophomore year of College that I heard the frightening, yet awesome, call of God for me to go into the ministry of pastoring His church. From that point on, I’ve been asking God to open the doors and praying I’d have the faith to follow Him.
After stepping foot into Seven Mile Road in the Summer of 2008 through what seemed like the sovereign hand of God, cleverly disguised as a strategically placed Craigslist ad, I’ve found myself walking in step with the church’s mission to the city and to God’s people. It was incredible to know that in a city where the Gospel is conveniently brushed aside, that there was a brave community staying faithful to God’s mission. And in a season where I’m asking for clarity in God’s call to pastor His Church, I’m thankful that there are other brothers that I can run alongside of so that I don’t go off a cliff. I’m thankful for the opportunity and I pray that I’ll steward it well. I don’t know what God has in store for us in the next several years, but I do know that He’s building a beautiful Gospel community in Boston and I hope to be used by God in this city for the years to come.
