Belonging, Becoming, Beloved: Stories of Faith and Abundance

What does it mean to truly belong? In this episode of Belonging, Becoming, Beloved, Sean and Frances sit down with Bruce Grady, Executive Presbyter of New Hope Presbytery, to explore the power of belonging, the importance of community, and the courage required to create space for others. Drawing from his experiences in ministry, higher education, and his own journey as an African American leader,...

In this episode, Sean Chow and Frances Lin sit down with José Rivera, Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of San Juan, to explore what it means for Puerto Rico to host the 228th General Assembly in 2028. More than a logistical undertaking, José describes the Assembly as “a spiritual act” and “a pastoral gesture” for the Presbyterian Church in Puerto Rico. José shares the rich history of Presbyterianism...

What does faithful mission look like in a world shaped by migration, displacement, and deep division? In this episode, Sean and Frances sit down with Joseph Russ, Global Ecumenical Liaison for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), to explore how the church is responding to the realities of migration in the United States, Central America, and beyond. Drawing on nearly a decade of ministry in El Salvado...

Bobby Musengwa joins Frances and Sean for a conversation about God's abundance, the danger of scarcity thinking, and why no one in the church is optional. Together they explore belonging, the importance of young people in their formative years, and what it means to create communities where every person has a voice, a place, and the opportunity to become who God is calling them to be.

What does faithful leadership look like when communities are separated by thousands of miles, churches feel forgotten, and public life is marked by deep division? In this episode of Belonging, Becoming, Beloved, Sean and Frances sit down with Elizabeth Schultz, Executive Presbyter of Yukon Presbytery, and Rev. Matt Schultz, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Anchorage and candidate for Alaska’...

In this special episode, hosts Sean Chow and Frances Lin turn the microphone on themselves. As they continue their journey toward General Assembly, they take time to share their stories, their friendship, and the experiences that have shaped their vision for the church. Sean and Frances reflect on their paths into ministry, from church planting and new worshiping communities to presbytery leadersh...

What happens when a church stops asking how to survive and starts asking how to serve? In this episode, Sean and Frances sit down with Commissioned Pastor Kevin Riley of Mount Baker Presbyterian Church in Concrete, Washington. Kevin shares his remarkable journey from addiction, homelessness, and incarceration to pastoral leadership, reflecting on the mentors, congregations, and moments of grace th...

In this episode, Sean and Frances sit down with Rev. Dr. Melissa Allison, pastor, mediator, educator, and co-leader of the Presbytery of Detroit, for a conversation about trust, conflict, and hope in the life of the church. Melissa shares how conflict can become an opportunity for deeper understanding, why belonging must precede agreement, and what it takes to build trust in communities shaped by...

What does it mean to belong when fear, uncertainty, and displacement shape daily life? In this conversation, Sean and Frances sit down with Rev. Rafael Viana, pastor of El Camino and Casa Brazil in the Greater Atlanta Presbytery and a leader in the ACCENTS network. Rafael shares stories from immigrant congregations, reflecting on the challenges facing Latino and immigrant communities, the realitie...

This week Frances Lin and Sean Chow had a conversation with Rev. Laura Terasaki , the Executive Presbytery of Northwest Coast Presbytery. We talked about being a young mid-council leader, small churches in Alaska, and jubilee within her presbytery

This last week we had a conversation with Rev. Dr. Deborah Boucher-Payne and Rev. Dr. Juan Sarmiento as they talked about the Task Force for Theology and Practice of Ordination. They have several recommendations coming to the General Assembly.

A fews ago with had a great conversation with Rev. Brian Symonds . We talked about being "with" the community, McCormick and Schmidts during seminary, and the struggles of being a pastor. We invite you to join us as we continue having conversations with some great people.

A few weeks ago we had a great conversation with Rev. Dr. Lindsay Armstrong. Throughout our conversation we talked about Presbytery of Greater Atlanta's history in starting churches, developing resources for immigrant leaders and communities, and even where to get the best tacos in Atlanta.

A few weeks ago we had a great conversation with the Honorably Retired Rev. Dr. Bruce Humphrey. We talked about his service to the church from rural church in Alaska to a large church in San Diego. We invite you to join us for the conversation.

A few weeks ago Frances Lin and Sean Chow had a conversation with Rev. Dr. Felipe Martinez. Our conversation led us to talking about how to listen to the community, medical debt, refugee housing, and more.

What happens after a church conflict ends, but the pain remains? In this episode, Sean and Frances welcome Rev. Dr. Leanna Fuller, Joan Marshall Associate Professor of Pastoral Care at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and author of a new book on congregational healing and reconciliation. Together they explore why unresolved conflict continues to shape congregations long after the original events ha...

Rev. Sungwoo Sam Kim serves as the Transitional Associate Presbyter for the Presbytery of San Francisco. He brings broad experience in immigrant ministry, new worshiping communities, leadership development, and cross-cultural engagement within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Prior to his current role, he served as leader of Atlanta Oikos Church and as Translational Ministry Coordinator at Columb...

Rev. Dr. Virginia “Gini” Norris-Lane became the executive director of UKirk in July, 2019, after having previously served as campus minister at Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX from 2005-2019. She holds degrees from Temple Junior College (AA), Baylor University (BS in Education), Austin Theological Seminary (MDiv), and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). She has been ordaine...

Sam Codington joined the McGregor family as pastor in February of 2025. He grew up as a pastor’s kid in a Presbyterian church in the Upstate of South Carolina. After college, he moved to California and received a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. While he was a pastor in San Diego, he was the moderator of San Diego...