By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this interview with Gail Song. She is the new Lead Pastor at Quest Church.
Personal and Ministry Background:
I’m a 2nd generation Korean American, deeply formed in the intersections of both Korean immigrant and black communities, and the Pentecostal faith tradition. While my mother was a pastor and believed I was called to ministry early on, my hope was to become the first Asian American female conductor of a major symphony orchestra. I had devoted my life to music from the age of three and even attended an elite music conservatory in New York. Upon her sudden death in 1994, however, I felt the undeniable call on my life, and have been serving vocationally in local church ministry since 1997.
I’ve had the privilege of being formed by and working within various denominational settings (UMC, Non-Denominational, COGIC, Four Square, Pentecostal Korean Immigrant, and ECC), which has allowed me to appreciate the breadth of the Church and the beauty that’s found amongst diverse traditions of faith. I believe all of these experiences have deeply shaped my life and expanded my leadership capacity to fluidly and authentically serve within a culturally diverse context like Quest.
What are you passionate about in ministry right now?
I’m passionate about leading a church that longs to be radically generous and wholeheartedly devoted in our pursuit of the multi of God’s kingdom here on earth. We hear from people over and over again, who walk through our doors at Quest for the first time, and tell us that this is the “last chance they’re giving God” (and the Church) before giving up on faith altogether. That sentiment alone ignites a fire in me and compels me to strive more faithfully to create a space where our collective human desire to belong and be whole is realized more fully. The Church is the tangible demonstration of Christ’s presence here on earth and we’ve got to do better at bearing witness to a God whose table is longer and wider and more expansive than what we imagine and currently make possible.
On a tangible ministry level, I’m excited about a couple of new initiatives that Quest will be launching this year, one of which is a new partnership with a group of diverse therapists in the area to create a multiethnic counseling center here on site—not just for the benefit of Quest but for the wider community of Seattle as well. Holistic wellness, liberation, and thriving in general are what I’m deeply passionate about as a pastor in this season.
How can we pray for you?
I would love your prayers for my marriage, my three sons, my health, and my team of friends, colleagues, mentors, and confidants who hold me accountable in this season. If I am thriving and healthy as a leader, I believe it’ll trickle into every area of my leadership and ministry life. My soul is deeply well and I covet your prayers for the continued, sustaining power of the Holy Spirit.
Five things you didn’t know about Gail:
What three traits define you?
Passionate. Empowering. Conviction.
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
Meat.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I would want to be a secret service agent for Michelle Obama or Beyoncé’s Tour Production Manager.
What is/was the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Losing 20+ years of relationship with my father was probably the hardest and most heartbreaking challenge, especially because it didn’t have to be that way. I’m grateful for the reconciliation that happened before he died in 2017.
What is the one thing you cannot resist?
A warm Bojangles chicken biscuit with hot sauce.
[Click Here] to visit Gail’s Facebook page
[Click Here] to visit Quest Church’s web page
