SIMON KIM (Junior & Senior High Youth)

Name: Simon “Sung Ho” Kim (My Korean/Middle Name is in Quotes) simon@riversidestl.org

Role at Riverside: Not sure if the exact title is “Youth Pastor” or “Youth Director” but either way you get the idea. I’m just here to love on students and show them that they can be themselves and it’s a beautiful thing.

Family: SINGLE! I’d like to think that I’ve been too busy with seminary and church stuff to go out and find a girl who can actually stand me but I’d be lying…there is NO girl who can stand me. (I hope that’s not true) Also, Most of my family is in St. Louis and I got an older bro in the Bay Area.

Education: Since I was born and raised in St. Louis the question everyone asks is…What high school did you go to? I went to Marquette High School (Rockwood School District) and got a Marketing degree from Saint Louis University-GO BILLIKENS…NIT! I got/am finishing my MDIV from Covenant Seminary.

Dream for Riverside: That the youth would see the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ and understand how that drives our lives towards the Father. I want the youth to feel safe and free to be who they are at Riverside and put down their “masks” and be loved for who they are, not by what they can accomplish.   

Favorite quote: “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Matthew 16:24-27, 1 John 3:16, There’s more but these are the first I thought of

“Relationships hold the key to the human heart.” Dan Allender

Favorite big screen moment: When Rudy was hoisted on the shoulders of his teammates and was carried off the field with the emotional music in the background.

Favorite music: I like guys like Chris Tomlin, David Crowder and the other Passion Worship Guys. Some Hillsong stuff is ok. I have always had a liking for alternative music (My Chemical Romance, Stone Temple Pilots, etc). I can appreciate most every type of music EXCEPT country…I tried but it’s not the Lord’s will. 

Heroes and mentors: My parents, Brother James and his wife Julie, Brian Burkey (My old Youth Pastor), the amazing people at KPC and countless Covenant Seminary Professors the Lord used to help shape me.

What I am learning these days: I’m learning that I’m more sinful than I could ever understand and that I’m more loved by the Father than I could ever fathom.

A few of my favorite things:

1.)    Anything sports related (watching, playing, sports highlights on ESPN)

2.)     Eating some good food (White Castle at 1am, buffets, actually I’ll eat anything)

3.)     Working Out (I’m a work out junkie)

4.)     Playing guitar

5.)     Playing with my PS2 but I think I should get a Wii (I got whooped recently)