John Kim (left) and Ezra Kang (right) embrace each other as Kang is inaugurated as the new president of Jesus Awakening Movement for America (JAMA).
Pastor Ezra Kang was inaugurated as the second president of Jesus Awakening Movement for America (JAMA) after John C. Kim, the founder of JAMA and former president.
Kang, who had previously been on the board of directors before being appointed as president, has been taking on the practical role of president since the beginning of July, and was formally inaugurated into the position on October 17. Pastor Kang did ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ in South Korea for eight years, and in 1981, he moved to the U.S. to start Korea Campus Crusade for Christ in America. For 15 years, he served in this campus ministry, and in 1993 he and Kim started JAMA together. Since then, Kang has been serving in various leadership positions for 21 years, including secretary and vice president.
At the inaugural ceremony, which took place at Grace Ministries International (GMI), Kim explained the story of how Kang was chosen to become the next president, and expressed his gratitude. Kim had originally planned to resign from his position last year during the 20th anniversary of JAMA, but as the younger generation pleaded with him to hold off on his resignation, he decided to stay longer. However, during the beginning of this year, Kim said he received a command from God "to let go of his position as president, advance GLDI (Global Leadership Development Institute) into a four-year university, and raise up leaders who will transform this world."
Hence, he started to look for a predecessor once again among the younger generation, but he felt the Lord was asking, "Why aren't you looking right around you?" and decided to pass on the position to Kang. Although Kang initially declined, saying that he didn't believe he was fit for the position, after a confirmation through prayer, he decided to take on a four year term of the presidential position.
"Everything that JAMA was able to accomplish thus far has been God's work," Kim said. "I'm grateful for all of your love, prayers, help, and support."
As Kim reflected on the JAMA conferences, Intercessory Prayer Conferences, and other ministries that JAMA has been able to lead, he said, "I believe that America will repent, that there will be a great awakening movement, and that it will be transformed into a nation that serves the world."
Kim showed his appreciation for Kang and the JAMA staff, and praised them, saying that they were "the best team."
Kim will now be serving full time as the chairman of the board as well as founder of GLDI.
"God, who has started this movement for revival, will indeed fulfill it," Kang said. "I will be faithful to this with my life."
Kang expressed that he will continue to put in efforts for a nationwide prayer revival movement in America as Kim had done. He added that there are plans to start mentoring programs for 1.5 and second generation Korean Americans who are in ministry to learn from the older generation of pastors in English congregations and to raise up the next generation of pastors and ministers.
Benjamin Shin, the director of Asian American studies at Talbot School of Theology, said of Kim during the ceremony, "Kim is someone who is a Model in all aspects, a man with a Vision, and a man of Prayer. You are our MVP. Thank you for all you've done."
