Rev. Hwa-Young Chong

Bishop Dan Schwerin is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Hwa-Young Chong as Prairie North District Superintendent, effective July 1, 2023. Rev. Chong currently serves at Naperville: Community and will follow Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer who has been appointed as Director of Connectional Ministries, effective July 1, 2023.

“In my time of prayer and discernment with the Northern Illinois Conference Cabinet, while also listening to the Prairie North Superintendency Committee, I heard the need for a Superintendent with a hospitable and supportive heart. Someone who is theologically grounded and effective in ministry. Someone who can love the laity and clergy we are called to be in ministry with. I believe that person is Rev. Hwa-Young Chong. I am excited to work with Rev. Chong’s gifts in theological reflection and to see her gifts in pastoral ministry unfold as a superintendent of the whole conference, assigned to work with the faithful people of Prairie North” said Bishop Dan.

Rev. Chong was born in Seoul, South Korea, to a family that had been practicing Methodists for four generations.  Faith has always been an important part of her upbringing. Her education includes a B.A. in Christian Studies from Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, Korea, and M.Div. & Ph.D. in Theology from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.  She was ordained elder in the Northern Illinois Conference in 1995 and has served local churches in cross-cultural and cross-racial settings.

Rev. Chong shared her response to my invitation, “I am deeply humbled to be appointed by Bishop Schwerin to serve as the District Superintendent of the Prairie North District.  I sense “fear and trembling” (Phil.2:12) in this new role. I have admired Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer’s leadership and hope to work with the pastors and laity of the 73 churches in Prairie North to build upon her fruitful ministry. I am excited to learn more about the churches and communities in Prairie North. I pray that God will use all my gifts and experiences to strengthen our common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I am grateful for Bishop Schwerin’s trust in my leadership and look forward to serving the Northern Illinois Conference as a cabinet member. I appreciate all your prayers in this time of transition.”

Hwa-Young is deeply grateful for her call to ministry. She grew up with several Methodist pastors in her family, including her grand-aunt, one of the first two clergywomen ordained in the Korean Methodist Church in 1956. Yet, she never anticipated becoming a pastor.  While serving homeless children as part of her volunteer work in college, she sensed her first call to ministry.  She came to the United States to pursue advanced degrees in theology. It was while serving as a student pastor at Bethany UMC in Highland Park that she felt confirmed of her call.

She loves ministry and considers the church a dynamic movement through which all people of God partner to bring a positive transformation in the world. Serving local churches has been a blessing. Passionate about sharing Christ’s love and grace, she is committed to congregational vitality, spiritual practices, lifelong learning, peace and justice, and ecumenism. Deeply rooted in Wesleyan theology, Hwa-Young strives to practice personal holiness and social holiness in her daily life.

Her connectional leadership includes serving the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the Annual Conference Shepherding Team. She has taught courses in theology, spirituality, and leadership at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary as an adjunct faculty member.  She also has led workshops and classes for pastors and laity on theology, spirituality, and leadership, including a 5-day academy of spiritual formation. She is married to Dr. Thomas Smith, a professor at Northern Illinois University. They have two adult children, Dahee and Minji.  Hwa-Young’s family enjoys fine arts activities, cross-cultural engagements, and volunteer work.

Please hold Rev. Dr. Chong, her family, and everyone in an appointment transition in prayer.