Greetings!

Marina United Methodist Church was founded in the home of Jean De La Paz and was later charted as a church on January 6, 1963 with Pastor Dorothy Gleason as its first pastor. We went from being a small house church to building our first church home at what is now Vince DiMaggio Park on Reservation Road. Not too long later, the church outgrew that space and moved to its current home on Beach Road, next door to Olson Elementary School.

Marina United Methodist Church is a Christian community with a welcome as wide as the bay. Reflecting the great diversity of our city, we welcome people from all backgrounds into the full life of the Church. Rooted in our Wesleyan tradition, we strive to be grace-filled people, sent out to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our world.

Our Staff

Meet Our Pastor – The Reverend Hoonseok (David) Kang
I have served both the Frontenac United Methodist Church and the Arma United Methodist Church who are 100% Anglo congregations in southeast Kansas as their Lead Pastor since July 2021.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the Republic of Korea and a Master of Theology in Christian Education from the Republic of Korea as well. I also completed a M.T.S. Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. I started my ministry in the Korean Methodist Church (KMC) in 2003 as a provisional member, then I became an ordained pastor in April 2004. I served churches in the KMC as an elder in the full connection of the KMC, then studied in the United States of America at Perkins school of Theology, SMU.

In my ministry, I have always been very passionate through my faithful relationship with Jesus Christ and share my knowledge of the Bible and extensive personal experiences through my sermons and teachings while practicing my own personal genuine journey by following in Christ’s footsteps. I truly believe that the United Methodist church exists to declare the name of the Lord (Jesus Christ). This is a place to build a home for those who do not have one. I love reaching out to those who need help and encouragement while building their own genuine relationship within our church community as the Lord’s disciples that we are.

After three years in Marina, Pastor Angel Rivero has been appointed to the First United Methodist Church of Roseville.

Nick Williams, Organist/Pianist 

Kathy Kulper, Lay Leader

Our Faith as United Methodist Christians 

United Methodists profess the historic Christian faith in God, incarnate in Jesus Christ for our salvation and ever work in human history in the Holy Spirit. We share many basic affirmations with Christians from other communions and communities. And, at the same time, we have a rich and distinctive foundation as members of The United Methodist Church. 

Christian living — faith and love put into practice — is at the heart of United Methodism. Our theological task is best summarized by the Book of Discipline: “As United Methodists, we are called to identify the needs both of individuals and of society and to address those needs out of the resources of Christian faith in a way that is clear, convincing, and effective. Theology serves the Church by interpreting the world’s needs and challenges to the Church and by interpreting the Gospel to the world.” You can learn more at www.umc.org. 

Means of Grace

• Prayer 
• Searching the Scriptures
• Holy Communion 
• Fasting 
• Christian Conferencing 

Holiness of Heart and Life

• Personal Piety 
• Social Holiness