2026 Appointments

Dobyo Amos to Trinity UMC, Mullica Hill Assosciate

Dobyo Amos is a graduating from Drew Theological School this May. Originally from Nigeria, he holds a Bachelor of Divinity from Africa University in Zimbabwe and a Diploma in Common Law from Nigeria. He serves as a Mosaic associate minister at Freehold UMC and was previously a pastoral intern at Morristown UMC in Greater New Jersey. Dobyo has five years of teaching experience outside the local church. He also served as President of the African Students Community at Drew and works with the Office of Accessibility Resources, developing leadership skills while pursuing his call to ministry. The Cabinet believes that Dobyo’s ability to work with people of all developmental ages, strong preaching skills, and passion for growing the Church makes him an excellent fit for the Associate Minister at Trinity UMC, Mullica Hill.

Yeongrok Choi to Simply Grace UMC in Bloomsbury

Yeongrok Choi is deeply honored to join Simply Grace UMC in Bloomsbury as their new pastor. Graduating this May with an M.Div. from Drew Theological School, he also holds an A.A. in Music, alongside a B.Th. and Th.M. in Liturgy from South Korea. A passionate worship leader, Yeongrok released albums and led the band “Givneus” in Korea before serving as the Music Director and pastoral intern at Bridgewater UMC for three years. With a profound passion for warm hospitality, he strives to invite all creation to God’s table of love, overcoming all discrimination and boundaries to celebrate together in grace.

Michael Oluseye Ojo to The United Methodist Church in Union

Michael Oluseye Ojo is being appointed to The United Methodist Church in Union because his gifts for pastoral care, preaching, and community engagement align with the congregation’s strengths and emerging needs. He brings a compassionate, shepherding presence shaped by chaplaincy experience, equipping him to guide a congregation seeking stability, spiritual leadership, and thoughtful communication. His commitment to healing, discipleship, and evangelism complements a church with strong worship, music, small groups, and active lay leadership. As an ordained minister in the Methodist Church Nigeria who continues his theological formation, Michael brings both depth and humility to ministry. Supported by his wife Kemi and their three children, he leads from a strong foundation of faith, family, and service, helping the congregation grow in connection, purpose, and witness.

HyunHui Kim to Union Village and Bernardsville UMC

HyunHui Kim is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who was born, raised, and educated in South Korea. Her cross-cultural experiences have shaped a ministry rooted in hospitality, justice, and care across differences. She currently serves as Lead Pastor of Cranford UMC in Cranford, New Jersey. She holds both the M.Div. and Ph.D. from Drew University. As a pastor and constructive theologian, she brings theological depth and pastoral sensitivity to the life of the church, helping congregations deepen their faith, cultivate belonging, and respond to the needs of the world with compassion, courage, and hope.

YoonCheol Shin to Red Bank UMC

YoonCheol Shin loves the church. Having grown up in the church as a home away from home, he has devoted his ministry to fostering communities where people of all generations and stories gather, share life, grow in faith, and encounter God together. Born in South Korea, raised in the Dominican Republic, and educated in the United States, Yoon lives at the intersection of cultures. He has served at Bernardsville UMC, Union Village UMC, and Calvary Korean UMC. Yoon earned his M.Div. from Drew Theological School and his M.S.Ed. and M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. He is happily married and enjoys traveling and discovering God’s presence in creation.

David Geller to St. Paul’s UMC in Bayhead

David brings a deep love for Christ and people, shaped by his call to ministry and his commitment to the guiding motto, “Love God, Love People, Make a Difference.” With training in both divinity and social work, and experience in pastoral care, preaching, and equipping lay leadership, David offers compassionate, relational leadership well suited to St. Paul’s welcoming and mission-oriented congregation. His energy, care-centered ministry, and passion for community engagement make him a strong match for the church’s hopes for spiritual growth and renewed vitality.

Junehee Yoon to Hamilton UMC in Neptune, NJ

Pastor Junehee Yoon is a compassionate leader who is committed to building a church community where all people can experience God’s unending grace and share that grace with others. As a Christian ethicist holding a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics, she believes such community-building is a faithful response to the Methodist vision of communal and personal holiness that seeks both love and justice. Pastor Junehee earned her Ph.D. and M.Div. from Drew University and a S.T.M. from Yale University. In addition to her pastoral ministry, she teaches Christian Ethics as an adjunct professor at Drew Theological School and United Lutheran Seminary.

Hamilton United Methodist Church in Neptune continues to live into a renewed vision for ministry in a post-pandemic world. Committed to discipleship and mission beyond our walls, Hamilton serves locally through food and hygiene collections, homelessness ministries, prayer shawls, and partnerships with Madonna House and Aslan Youth Ministry, while supporting GhanaFresh, a children and youth ministry in Ghana. Worship blends traditional and contemporary expressions and reaches both in-person and online communities. There has been an emphasis on discipleship through sermon series and Bible studies focused on faith in action, justice, love as an ethic, and the cost of discipleship. Through partnerships, community events, and faithful reflection, Hamilton looks ahead with hope, seeking deeper formation, renewed stewardship, and expanded ministry for all ages.

Gwiseok Lee to Whiting United Methodist Church in Whiting, New Jersey

Pastor Lee brings a joyful commitment to ministry shaped by his deep faith, strong Wesleyan roots, and a passion for walking alongside congregations with compassion and creativity. His gifts for preaching, pastoral care, and building authentic relationships make him a wonderful match for the heart and mission of Whiting UMC.

Whiting UMC is a vibrant, service-minded congregation with a strong spirit of hospitality and a deep desire to continue growing in new ways. As a church rooted in caring for its community while looking toward the future, they have expressed hope for a pastor who is present, encouraging, and ready to help expand outreach and digital ministry. Pastor Lee’s energy, faithfulness, and relational leadership make this an exciting and promising match of pastor and people as they begin this next chapter together.

Latasha Milton to Bridgewater UMC

Latasha is an ordained elder who has faithfully served urban and suburban congregations. She is passionate about intergenerational ministry, with a focus on children, youth, and young adults. She is committed to leading the church beyond its walls through a restorative justice lens. Latasha holds a M. Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a MS in Family Relations Counseling and Early Childhood and a BS in Pre-Med. Biology and Chemistry from the Univ. of Southern Mississippi. She is an author of children’s book and self-help devotionals for women. She enjoys reading, sports, and traveling.

Bridgewater UMC invites all people to engage in disciple-making and serving others with the love of Christ. BUMC currently offers one blended Sunday worship service in two expressions: in-person and live-streamed. It has an outstanding music ministry with adults/children, a praise band, and bell choirs. It has a vital youth ministry seeking to reach out to young adults. Small group ministry is steadily growing: Children/Youth/Adult Sunday School, Women’s & Men’s Bible Study, Prayer Group, Lent/Advent Study, and topical classes. Church is actively engaged in 25 local outreaches and global missions, being committed to empowering the laity to strengthen leadership, financial stewardship, mission, and ministry.

Jennifer Cho to St. Andrews UMC in Spring Lake

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church is a vibrant fellowship of sixty disciples dedicated to worship, service, and mutual care. Our community fosters deep spiritual growth through Sunday school and dedicated Bible study groups, while building lasting connections through our monthly “lunch bunch” and compassionate shawl ministry. Widely recognized for an exceptional music program, we serve as a local cultural hub by hosting acclaimed concerts featuring the Atlantic Wind Ensemble and vocalists from neighboring congregations. This spirit of outreach extends to our broader community through the United Methodist Women’s popular annual rummage sales and seasonal bazaars.

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Cho is an ordained elder in the UMC and currently serves as Senior Pastor of Bridgewater UMC. She holds an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Drew Theological School. With decades of pastoral leadership experience, she is known for thoughtful preaching, collaborative leadership, and cultivating vibrant, Christ-centered communities. Her ministry focuses on forming disciples who deepen their faith, embody compassion, and live out the gospel with courage and integrity in daily life, and she is deeply committed to mission and justice work and to building an inclusive church where all are welcomed, affirmed, and empowered to share their unique gifts and calling. She has served in leadership roles within GNJ, guiding congregations through renewal and transition and mentoring candidates for ministry. She is married to Rev. Dr. Brandon Cho, retired elder and lead pastor of Beacon UMC.

JunGyu Park to Asbury United Methodist Church in Cinnaminson

Pastor Park brings a deep love for God’s people, a heart for intergenerational connection, and a passion for building communities of belonging—gifts that align beautifully with Asbury’s strong mission presence and desire for renewed vitality. With experience in youth ministry, digital outreach, and cross-cultural leadership, he is well-positioned to help Asbury connect with young families while strengthening its outreach to neighbors through ministries like Good Neighbor Outreach and beyond. His collaborative, shepherding spirit offers hopeful energy for Asbury’s next faithful chapter.

Daekyung Ko to St. Paul United Methodist Church in Willingboro

Pastor Ko brings a heart for intergenerational discipleship, creative worship, and community engagement—gifts that beautifully match St. Paul’s multicultural spirit and desire for renewal. With experience strengthening worship, mentoring leaders, and building bridges across cultures and generations, he embodies the “builder” leadership St. Paul is seeking. As the congregation looks to grow younger families, expand outreach, and deepen vitality, Pastor Ko’s collaborative and relational approach offers fresh energy and faithful vision for this next chapter of ministry together.

Cameron Overby to Richwood UMC

Cameron Overbey is an ordained elder in Greater New Jersey and has served Cranford UMC and Red Bank UMC over the last 12 years. He has also been active on various boards and agencies in the Raritan Shore district and offers leadership to organizations in his community focused on youth health, equitable housing, and care of the environment. He has also served as a volunteer firefighter and t-ball coach. Cameron has a passion for building beloved community and helping congregations embody the love of Christ, living out their faith in their community in transformative ways. With his strong leadership experience in the local church to all ages, his commitment to connectionalism, and his desire to see the Church be a beacon of hope in the community, the Cabinet believes him to be an excellent pastor for Richwood UMC. Cameron graduated with a BA in Theology from Valparaiso University in 2011 and with a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School in 2014. He is married to Kelsie (married 14 years together), and together they have 2 children, Sammie (7) and Mattie (5), and a dog, Ace (1).