About
WHO WE ARE
Kardia Church is a community of Jesus-followers. We are multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and diverse in our politics and views but united in our commitment to Jesus Christ. We are called to Be a Blessing to the World, and you will see our people doing our best to be the hands and feet of Jesus from the streets of Los Angeles to the dusty roads of Cambodia.
We are all recovering sinners being made into saints by the grace of God. There are no perfect people here, but while God loves us as we are, he loves us too much to leave us as we are. The Holy Spirit is at work powerfully to transform and empower us to live for Jesus.
If you are looking for a faith community that is flawed but authentic, service-minded, open to all people and experiencing the supernatural work of Jesus in our lives, then come and join us. May God bless and guide you in your faith journey.
WHAT WE BELIEVE IN
We believe Jesus is the savior, the one who can save us from sin, sickness, death and darkness. He is God in the flesh, fully divine and fully human. All are invited to believe in him and receive life from him: new life, abundant life and eternal life.
We believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired word of God and is trustworthy and authoritative for all matters of belief and practice.
We believe that Jesus gives his Holy Spirit to those who believe and trust in him. The Holy Spirit is God dwelling within the Christian, actively working in us to empower us to embody and represent Jesus to the world.
ABOUT THE STAFF
Rev. Dr. Stephen Kim
Lead Pastor
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Rev. Dr. Stephen Kim
Lead Pastor
×Pastor Steve is dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship God in Spirit and in truth, who are motivated by love in all things, and who pursue a life surrendered to Jesus. He believes that those who follow Christ will be a blessing to the world. Pastor Steve is a graduate of Oberlin College (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv) and United Theological Seminary (DMin).
Pastor Steve has been Lead Pastor at Kardia Church since July 2008. Before that, he was an associate pastor at Christ UMC Hawaii. His wife, Rev. Suzana Kim, is also an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and they have two children, Naila and Garrett.
You can reach him via email at steve@kardiachurch.org.
Lois Olson
Children's Director
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Lois Olson
Children's Director
×I started as the children’s ministry director at Kardia in the summer of 2017. I became the youth director the summer of 2020. I came to Kardia because the Lord clearly led me. I love the families at this church and the way they create community with one another. I enjoy the congregation’s commitment to missions and am passionate about seeing kids grow up with a deep friendship with Jesus. I have three main goals for kids and youth: grow in confidence in the love of Jesus regardless of performance, hear the voice of God for themselves, and grow in Christlike character.
I grew up in Central Asia, where my parents did development work. This experience gave me a passion to see the love of Jesus expressed in many different cultures. I have lived in Southern California since 2004 and am a graduate of Cal State LA. I also serve at a House of Prayer in Pasadena and enjoy fellowshipping with believers of all types of backgrounds.
Leslie Kim
Administrator
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Leslie Kim
Administrator
×
Leslie Kim recently joined the staff to help out Kardia administratively. She has been a part of this church family since 1992, and is married to Gary Kim (our church drummer!) who had been attending since 1982. They have two children, Everett and Elsa. “I love the Kardia family and have always found it to be a place of safety, support and acceptance, and a place to grow in faith together with others.
You can reach Leslie with any questions about Kardia at lyk.mb@verizon.net – if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find someone who does!
Esther Choi
Praise Leader
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Esther Choi
Praise Leader
×My name is Esther and it’s been such a blessing and honor to be able lead our praise team since 2017. My husband Paul and I have 4 children, and started attending Kardia UMC in 2014 when we only had 1 child. Through all the chaos and busyness of raising children, I’ve always been grounded in the presence of God through worship and praise. When God called me to be obedient to His calling as a praise leader during the hardest time in my life, He has carried me through all of my battles and challenges, and my only hope is to be able to show my testimonies of His grace and mercy by being His vessel.
“And even in the madness
There is peace
Drowning out the voices all around me
Through all of this chaos
You are writing a symphony
A symphony”
-lyrics to Symphony by Switch
Rev. Carol Mayer
Preschool Director
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Rev. Carol Mayer
Preschool Director
×Pastor Carol has a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Erik, and three grandsons – Quintin, Paxton, and John. Carol serves as our Preschool Director and enjoys reaching out to families of our culturally diverse local community who are looking for a safe place where their children can be cared for and nurtured in a loving environment. Her passion is to help children to learn to be kind to one another and to love one another as God loves them. She loves traveling, camping and train trips.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Kim
Lead Pastor
LEARN MORE
Rev. Dr. Stephen Kim
Lead Pastor
×Pastor Steve is dedicated to making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship God in Spirit and in truth, who are motivated by love in all things, and who pursue a life surrendered to Jesus. He believes that those who follow Christ will be a blessing to the world. Pastor Steve is a graduate of Oberlin College (BA), Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv) and United Theological Seminary (DMin).
Pastor Steve has been Lead Pastor at Kardia Church since July 2008. Before that, he was an associate pastor at Christ UMC Hawaii. His wife, Rev. Suzana Kim, is also an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church and they have two children, Naila and Garrett.
You can reach him via email at steve@kardiachurch.org.
Lois Olson
Children's Director
LEARN MORE
Lois Olson
Children's Director
×I started as the children’s ministry director at Kardia in the summer of 2017. I became the youth director the summer of 2020. I came to Kardia because the Lord clearly led me. I love the families at this church and the way they create community with one another. I enjoy the congregation’s commitment to missions and am passionate about seeing kids grow up with a deep friendship with Jesus. I have three main goals for kids and youth: grow in confidence in the love of Jesus regardless of performance, hear the voice of God for themselves, and grow in Christlike character.
I grew up in Central Asia, where my parents did development work. This experience gave me a passion to see the love of Jesus expressed in many different cultures. I have lived in Southern California since 2004 and am a graduate of Cal State LA. I also serve at a House of Prayer in Pasadena and enjoy fellowshipping with believers of all types of backgrounds.
Leslie Kim
Administrator
LEARN MORE
Leslie Kim
Administrator
×
Leslie Kim recently joined the staff to help out Kardia administratively. She has been a part of this church family since 1992, and is married to Gary Kim (our church drummer!) who had been attending since 1982. They have two children, Everett and Elsa. “I love the Kardia family and have always found it to be a place of safety, support and acceptance, and a place to grow in faith together with others.
You can reach Leslie with any questions about Kardia at lyk.mb@verizon.net – if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find someone who does!
Esther Choi
Praise Leader
LEARN MORE
Esther Choi
Praise Leader
×My name is Esther and it’s been such a blessing and honor to be able lead our praise team since 2017. My husband Paul and I have 4 children, and started attending Kardia UMC in 2014 when we only had 1 child. Through all the chaos and busyness of raising children, I’ve always been grounded in the presence of God through worship and praise. When God called me to be obedient to His calling as a praise leader during the hardest time in my life, He has carried me through all of my battles and challenges, and my only hope is to be able to show my testimonies of His grace and mercy by being His vessel.
“And even in the madness
There is peace
Drowning out the voices all around me
Through all of this chaos
You are writing a symphony
A symphony”
-lyrics to Symphony by Switch
Rev. Carol Mayer
Preschool Director
LEARN MORE
Rev. Carol Mayer
Preschool Director
×Pastor Carol has a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Erik, and three grandsons – Quintin, Paxton, and John. Carol serves as our Preschool Director and enjoys reaching out to families of our culturally diverse local community who are looking for a safe place where their children can be cared for and nurtured in a loving environment. Her passion is to help children to learn to be kind to one another and to love one another as God loves them. She loves traveling, camping and train trips.
