Stephen K. Lee

Pastor Stephen was born in a parsonage in Seoul, South Korea, where his father served as a pastor in the Korean Methodist Church. As a third-generation Christian, he grew up in a family of faith with one brother and two sisters. His wife, Young Hwa, is a homemaker, and they have two children – their son, Shawn, and his wife, Paula who live in Chester, Virginia, and their daughter, Janet, who lives with them.

Pastor Stephen was ordained in the Korean Methodist Church in 1989 and came to the United States in 1992 for advanced studies at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. His theological education includes B.Th. and Th.M. degrees from Korea, M.Div. and M.Phil. degrees from the U.S., and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach (2020).

After transferring his clergy membership to the United Methodist Church in 2003, he served in the Arkansas Conference and transferred to Virginia Conferences in 2005. His ministry has included planting churches in South Korea, Texas, and New York, as well as serving Korean and American congregations in various settings. Most recently, he served at Colonial Beach UMC, Charity UMC, and Sycamore UMC before being appointed to Bethany UMC in 2025.

Blessings to all!