Retirements – TEMPLATE – 2022 Michigan Annual Conference

Rev. Seungho "Andy" Baek

New Hudson United Methodist Church

Growing up an introverted person, I never imagined speaking before a crowd. When I came to the United States as a graduate student in 1981, I never dreamed that I would become an ordained minister. Even then, God had a definite plan for my life journey.

Nurtured and baptized by Rev. Young-Bong Yoon in Detroit KUMC, God reminded me of His Word. I developed a visional statement for my pastoral ministry which is: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).

God led me to a cross-cultural and cross-racial ministry for most of my pastoral career of 33 years. I am very proud of being part of the UMC for our strong stance against racism and strengthening racial ethics throughout the denomination. I am immensely grateful to the UMC for inviting me to participate in the ministry of God’s kingdom.

Throughout my ministry, my wife and children have been a major part of my work in the local churches, being actively involved and sacrificing along with me; for this I am very grateful. They have been an amazing blessing.

Cross racial ministry is not easy. We must be proactive and intentional in dismantling the misunderstandings and prejudices over racial ethnic issues. This is where the mandate of God’s kingdom leads us to what we will experience in heaven: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). Praise be to God!

SEUNGHO “ANDY” BAEK [(FE) – D 1987, FE 1993]

1997 Transferred from Wisconsin Conf; 1997 Grand Rapids Suhbu Korean New Church Ministry; 2001 Appointed Extension Ministries (¶344.1b,c) GBGM (New Church Ministry-Suhbu Korean Congregation; 2005 Suhbu Korean UMC (Re-named Church of All Nations 2006); 2006 Church of All Nations/Oakdale; 2008 Schoolcraft; 2010 Appointed in Other Conferences (¶346.1) West Ohio Conf, Columbus Korean; 2012 Union City (¾ time)/Athens (¼ time); 2015 Appointed in Other Annual Conferences (¶331.88, ¶346.1) Detroit Conference, Ann Arbor District, Dundee; 2018 New Hudson

Rev. Pam Beedle-Gee

Sebewaing: Trinity United Methodist Church

John and I have truly been so blessed to serve God. After all the years, and all the adventures we’ve had, one story from the first year of my ministry stands out. I’d like to share it with you now.

Evan turned five the year I helped with the kindergarten class. His teacher had her baby just before Christmas, so I was teaching his class about the nativity. Each week I introduced a character, and we learned all about them. Now it was Christmas. Putting the characters in front of Sophia and Evan, I asked them to tell me the story. It was going well. All the characters made it to the manger.

“What happened next?” I asked. Evan quickly gathered Joseph and the shepherds and put them in front of the hay dripping from the roof. Then Evan had Joseph jump in the air as Evan announced, “and he scores!”

What just happened?” I asked. “He shot a basket,” replied Evan. “But where is the hoop?” I asked. “Under the hay!” he replied, looking at me as if he couldn’t understand why I even asked that question. Before Sophia could get upset and take Joseph from Evan’s hands, I gently put my hands over theirs and said, “I don’t remember that part of the story.”

“While Jesus sleeps, Mary cooks dinner, and all the boys play basketball.” As easy as that, Even had written himself and his family into God’s story.

Oh Lord, give us the eyes of a child! Amen.

PAMELA A. BEEDLE-GEE [(FE) - PE 2003; FE 2006]

2003 Grosse Pointe (Assoc); 2009 Garden City: First; 2018 Sebewaing: Trinity

Rev. Terri L. Bentley

St. Louis: First United Methodist Church

My call to ministry came long before I listened to God. I had to stop arguing and say, “Yes, Lord. Here I am.” I give thanks for the people at Wacousta Community UMC for encouraging...

and helping me say yes. Many things happened in that community church that shaped my faith, including trips to Ichthus, Disciple Bible Studies and district camps.

My first appointment took me to Stevensville UMC where again I found beautiful people of God. They taught me much in those first years of ministry. Rev. Gene Lewis was a wonderful example as I served as his associate. One of the most memorable events from Stevensville was my trip to Liberia with others from the congregation.

From Stevensville God brought me to St. Louis where I have served for more than 12 years with faithful people. Throughout my ministry I have been blessed to have the support of my husband Tom. His shared commitment to the church has enabled me to do more than I could have done. He has worked beside me in Haiti, Liberia, and on Native American reservations, always helping wherever he was needed. We are thankful to staff and to the people in our congregations who served as partners in ministry. We have treasured friendships. I give thanks for my colleagues and the wisdom, love, and support we have shared.

We are looking forward to time with family as well as new adventures God has for us. God’s work never ends. We are always called to love and serve others.

TERRI L. BENTLEY [(FL) – FL 2002]

2002 Stevensville (Assoc); 2008 St. Louis: First

Rev. First Last

Last United Methodist Church Served

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