The congregation of Mercer Island United Methodist Church recently welcomed a new pastor, the Rev. John Go.

Go and his family come to Mercer Island from Portland, Ore., where he served as pastor of Tabor Heights United Methodist Church for the past seven years.

Rev. Go was born in Incheon, South Korea, and is a graduate of Kangnam University in Yongin, South Korea. He also holds a Master of Theology degree from that university and a Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological School of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.

Rev. Go’s wife, Mia Park, received a Master of Divinity degree in June 2019 from Garrett Evangelical-Theological Seminary of Northwestern University in Chicago. She is a candidate for ordination in the United Methodist Church.

The couple has two daughters. Grace, 13, will attend Islander Middle School, and Gloria, 9, will attend Northwood Elementary School.

John Go enjoys soccer, golf and other sports. He enjoys fishing and is looking forward to casting a line in Lake Washington. He also enjoys singing and sings regularly with a double quartet.

In addition to his theological training, Go is interested and experienced in developing diversity in congregations, in building programs that include the greater community, and in creating churches that are safe, secure and sacred places for everyone.

Mercer Island United Methodist Church is located on the north end of the Island at 7070 SE 24th St. Sunday morning worship is at 11 a.m. Everyone is welcome.