See Part 1 and Part 2 in the blog archives.
The period of 1995-2005 was one of growth and multiplication for Berkland Baptist Church (BBC). It was also a period of growing dissatisfaction and division among the leaders in their feelings toward Rebekah Kim and her leadership of BBC.
Becky Kim was intimately involved in many details of running all the BBC churches. She appointed the leaders of the new churches and made reassignments. The top leaders during this time included:
There were BBC wide gatherings of the pastors not infrequently. Leadership retreats/meetings were days long.
I just re-read "The Letter" that Ed Kang wrote to Becky Kim. It is dated August 22, 2005. I am not going to post the letter (do not ask me for it) but some excerpts can be found in the blog archives. According to the letter, there were pastors' meetings at Boston, Daegu (Korea) and Irvine. There was growing concern about Rebekah Kim's behavior, harsh rebuking and shaming of her disciples in a public manner, and overall lack of humility and accountability. Andy Lee's affair is mentioned, along with many other incidents. Ed Kang says he tried his best to give her feedback but that she rationalized her behaviors and never repented.
It's clear that Ed Kang had had enough. In The Letter, he states his intention to vacate the Alcatraz building as soon as possible but to stay in the area and "minister to those who will follow my leadership apart from BBC." Most readers will know that Berkland Baptist Church split after this. This article for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni published in the Fall of 2009 identifies all 15 as Berkland churches but according to this blog, the split was effective as of January 1, 2006. Some churches decided to stay affiliated with each other but many went their own way. BBC Boston changed it's name to Antioch Baptist Church in 2011 according their website. Many other churches changed their names too.
Thus, Gracepoint was born. And the organization's tentacles are spreading like wildfire to college towns all over the United States. Is this a sign that the church is being used by God to expand God's Kingdom? Or is it a sign of the military like control and power that the leaders have over their sheep? Is it OK to hurt and discard people when they don't serve your purpose as long as you believe that the purpose aligns with the Great Commission? What does it say about a church when all the staff are home grown (quite incestuous actually) and no one from the "outside" ever obtains a position of influence?
As flawed as my current church is, I am grateful that I get to experience a growing freedom in my understanding of God and in my relationship with the God of the universe. I don't spend most of my days at church events. My church doesn't tell me where to live or who to live with or who to marry. I am encouraged to love God and love others as myself without feeling like I have to be tired all the time to prove how much I love them.
There can be no love without freedom. Jesus never forced anyone to do anything they didn't want to do. He is standing at the door and knocking. He asks to be invited in. It's always been an invitation. Guilt and shame may work for a while, but they can never free us from ourselves.
If you've been hurt by Berkland or Gracepoint, I pray for a growing tenderness and a complete spiritual and emotional healing. God never wastes pain.
The period of 1995-2005 was one of growth and multiplication for Berkland Baptist Church (BBC). It was also a period of growing dissatisfaction and division among the leaders in their feelings toward Rebekah Kim and her leadership of BBC.
Becky Kim was intimately involved in many details of running all the BBC churches. She appointed the leaders of the new churches and made reassignments. The top leaders during this time included:
- Ed Kang and Kelly Kang at BBC Berkeley, the largest.
- YB Im and Sue Im led the San Jose/Silicon Valley branch and then started BBC LA in 2003, which is now called Life Baptist Church in West LA. I believe his name is Daniel now. See side note below.
- Chris Pak and Sally Pak served at BBC Boston. Stared one of the churches. Anyone know which one? Currently pastors Bridgeway Church in Palo Alto.
- Andy Pak started/served at BBC Irvine. Not sure where he is now.
- Peter Lee and Eunice Lee started BBC New York and BBC LA (?), started missions/churches in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Moscow. Also started BBC Washington DC in 20002, renamed Worthy Life Baptist Church and is affiliated with Antioch Baptist Church ("West Coast Retreat" held together with Philadelphia Mission Baptist Church. Philadelphia Mission Baptist Church self proclaims as a church plant of Antioch Baptist Church.)
(Interesting side note: Many Berklanders (yes, that's what they were called) were encouraged to change their names from Korean names to more Americanized/Biblical names around the late 1990's. There are at least seven persons currently on staff at Gracepoint who have changed their names. This shows the type of control that the culture and leaders had over the congregation. I am not saying that they were coerced but it's worth noting.)
There were BBC wide gatherings of the pastors not infrequently. Leadership retreats/meetings were days long.
It's clear that Ed Kang had had enough. In The Letter, he states his intention to vacate the Alcatraz building as soon as possible but to stay in the area and "minister to those who will follow my leadership apart from BBC." Most readers will know that Berkland Baptist Church split after this. This article for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni published in the Fall of 2009 identifies all 15 as Berkland churches but according to this blog, the split was effective as of January 1, 2006. Some churches decided to stay affiliated with each other but many went their own way. BBC Boston changed it's name to Antioch Baptist Church in 2011 according their website. Many other churches changed their names too.
Thus, Gracepoint was born. And the organization's tentacles are spreading like wildfire to college towns all over the United States. Is this a sign that the church is being used by God to expand God's Kingdom? Or is it a sign of the military like control and power that the leaders have over their sheep? Is it OK to hurt and discard people when they don't serve your purpose as long as you believe that the purpose aligns with the Great Commission? What does it say about a church when all the staff are home grown (quite incestuous actually) and no one from the "outside" ever obtains a position of influence?
As flawed as my current church is, I am grateful that I get to experience a growing freedom in my understanding of God and in my relationship with the God of the universe. I don't spend most of my days at church events. My church doesn't tell me where to live or who to live with or who to marry. I am encouraged to love God and love others as myself without feeling like I have to be tired all the time to prove how much I love them.
There can be no love without freedom. Jesus never forced anyone to do anything they didn't want to do. He is standing at the door and knocking. He asks to be invited in. It's always been an invitation. Guilt and shame may work for a while, but they can never free us from ourselves.
If you've been hurt by Berkland or Gracepoint, I pray for a growing tenderness and a complete spiritual and emotional healing. God never wastes pain.
