FRESNO – Contemporary adolescent culture perplexes many within the Christian community. That is not the case for Sherann Kim, youth evangelism specialist for California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC). She gravitates to young people.

“After I accepted Christ in August of my sophomore year of high school, I felt that the Lord was leading me into the ministry,” Sherann recalled. “I did not know into what area of service, but I knew that I really enjoyed being on student council and being one of the teen core leaders. I loved doing anything that had to do with working with my peers and other students.”

Born to devout Christian parents, Sherann and her older brother grew up in San Jose where they attended Korean Baptist Church.

Upon graduation from high school, Sherann served in her home church and attended community college for two years. She transferred to California Baptist University (CBU) where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Christian studies with an emphasis in youth ministry. While at CBU, Sherann found that her heart’s passion was communicating the gospel message.

“I fell in love with the whole idea of speaking and communicating the truth of the message of the gospel to teens,” Sherann said. “That’s a huge one for me!”

She returned to her home church upon graduating from CBU and accepted the position of director of student ministry overseeing both junior high and high school ministries.

“I really tried to make that ministry a great and safe environment for students,” Sherann reflected. “It was a place where they were able to know Jesus, love the Lord and be accepted just as they were.”

After serving on staff at Korean Baptist Church for four years, Sherann joined CSBC in January 2009 as a North American Mission Board (NAMB) US/C-2 missionary.

In her capacity as CSBC’s youth evangelism specialist, Sherann’s responsibilities include implementing the FiSH Club evangelism strategy on school campuses, promoting evangelism resources and training student evangelism teams. She loves people and is available to speak to youth groups and at special events. 

“I try to communicate with as many youth pastors as possible,” Sherann related. “It is a priority for me to go and teach sessions on evangelism. Teens have a tendency to fear sharing the gospel so I encourage them to share their stories with one another because their stories of transformed lives are powerful.

“I have a group of 12 students called the Connect Team who travel with me to evangelism sessions and youth rallies,” Sherann continued. “When they share their testimonies, other teens realize that they are not alone in sharing their faith or being unsure about their own faith in Christ.”

Sherann’s heart rejoices when she sees a teen become passionate about sharing Jesus Christ with a lost world.

“I love just communicating,” she stated. “I love being able to talk to people, sharing my story, sharing the gospel, and being able to reach out. It is an overwhelming joy for me to do that. Caring for people and being able to communicate are two primary things that I love to do.”

NAMB’s US/C-2 missionaries are college graduates who serve two years with participating state conventions in the United States and Canada. Sherann claims Joshua 1:9 for her future: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV).

Sherann enjoys going to ice hockey games and is a diehard fan of the Sharks, San Jose’s National Hockey League franchise.

Sherann’s message to California Southern Baptists:
I hope to encourage you today that Christ is more than enough for you. No matter where you are in your journey, whether you are serving adults, students, or children, remember that the Lord is sufficient. His overflowing grace is more than enough for you today, tomorrow and forevermore.”

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV).

Prayer requests:

• Pray that God will ignite the hearts of youth attending the 2010 Tsunami Student Conference in Long Beach, December 27-29.
• Pray that God will have His way as Sherann travels throughout California to work with students and churches.
• Pray that God will give Sherann strength and wisdom as she encourages churches and youth to build relationships within California’s teenage culture.
• Pray that God will clarify Sherann’s future ministry.

Sherann’s praises:

• Praise the Lord for the freedom we have in Christ.
• Praise the Lord for what He is doing with the churches in California.
• Praise the Lord for what He is doing in the hearts of California students.
• Praise the Lord for the opportunity to be part of His story.

Sherann recommends these books to pastors, parents and youth:

• Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, encourages change in the way Christians live their lives.
• Do Hard Things, by Alex and Brett Harris, stimulates teenage rebellion against low expectations.
• Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture, by Walt Mueller, navigates the confusing terrain of teen worldviews.
• Hurt: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers, by Chap Clark, penetrates the contemporary adolescent experience.

Contact information:
Sherann Kim
California Southern Baptist Convention
678 East Shaw Avenue
Fresno CA 93710
559.229.9533, ext. 333
shkim@csbc.com
www.studentwave.com