Joe was born in Connecticut, but grew up in Seoul, Korea before moving back to the States as a teenager. Joe graduated from University of Connecticut (go Huskies!) with a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He attended Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.) for his theological studies in 2007 as he began serving in vocational ministry. Joe first served as a youth pastor at First Korean Presbyterian Church (CT). In 2010, he and his wife, Helen, moved to New York City to minister to college students with Reformed University Fellowship. He then transitioned to serve as a Youth Ministry Director and as an Assistant Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC. Most recently, Joe served as an Associate Pastor at Grace Church in Ridgewood, NJ before starting in his role as Senior Pastor at Joy in September, 2022

As the Senior Pastor at Joy, Joe serves as the primary preacher, provides oversight for the staff and serves as the moderator on the session of elders. He is eager to see the gospel proclaimed, take root, and bring renewal to everyone in our community and beyond. Joe is particularly passionate about seeing gospel-centered churches planted across metropolitan NYC, North America, and the world. In his spare time, Joe enjoys - time with Helen and their three children - Allan, Annie, and Aria. He also dreams of one day going on a backpacking trip, eating his way through Asia.

Isaac was born in Bergen County, NJ. A pastor’s kid, Isaac moved often and also spent time in California, South Dakota, and Oregon. Isaac graduated from Colgate University with a bachelor’s in philosophy and religion. He then went on to seminary, and graduated with a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. During that time, Isaac also fell in love with pastoral ministry and served as a pastor throughout his graduate studies.

Isaac joined Joy in September 2020 and currently oversees the evangelism, welcome & parking, food & fellowship, connections, and small group ministries. Isaac enjoys spending time with his wife, Iris. He also recently converted to becoming a dog person. Isaac’s hope for the people at Joy is that Joy would be a community overflowing with Christ-like hospitality, a community consisting in deep friendships that flow from the love of God, love of God’s Word, and love for one another.

Do Hee grew up in Maryland as the fourth child of a tightly-knit family of five sisters. Much of her formation happened at First Korean Presbyterian Church of Maryland, where she began to “inquire of” and “wrestle with” the Lord. She studied English literature as an undergraduate and then set-off to find her vocational call, which led her to receive an MFA in creative writing, work at the United Nations, earn a Certificate in Pastry Arts in NYC, open her own business in specialty cakes in DC, before finally landing at Princeton Theological Seminary, where she received her MDiv and met Enoch—her partner in all things—who proposed to her at Jonathan Edwards's grave.

Prior to joining Joy in 2022, she worked in pastoral ministry for 8 years. At Joy, she serves as an Associate Pastor, focusing on adult education, spiritual formation, and pastoral care. Do Hee’s hope for Joy is that it might be a light to those who may be lost at sea, that Joy might guide others safely to shore, and be a place where they might grow and flourish in community. She prides herself on being a member of her nephews’ and nieces’ Clash Royale clan with Enoch; and enjoys doing the NYT's crossword, Wordle, and Spelling Bee every day.

Jacob is a locally raised, meat-fed and pizza-finished man hailing from the lean streets of Ramsey, NJ. Upon graduating from Rutgers University, he moved down the turnpike to Princeton Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity in 2020. He is living out his childhood dream of being a youth pastor at Joy. He oversees youth Sunday worship, meetings, and pastoral care. He is passionate about raising our youth to be faithful disciples and members of our church through the ordinary means of grace.

When not working hard at Joy, Jacob is on a long journey to becoming a proper golfer. He also enjoys hitting the books, rewatching The Office, and most things Ariana Grande. Other interests include potatoes, Taco Bell, and High School Musical. It is his hope that our youth see Joy as their church, and that they would grow, mature, and bear lasting fruit here. He’s also praying that they would continue Joy’s gospel ministry to the coming generations.

Elyse has been a member of Joy from its birth in 1999. Her first job out of college was teaching grades 6 and 7 in Washington Heights, NYC through Teach for America. As she began her seminary studies at Alliance Theological seminary, she worked as Joy’s part-time administrator and youth pastor. In 2008 she left the States and ran an underground discipleship program in China for 7 years, where she started a native missionary training center. Upon her return to the States in 2016, she rejoined Joy’s staff as the Children’s Pastor.

It is Elyse’s hope that the children at Joy will know and receive the love of Jesus and share His love with others. She loves spending time with her husband, Johnny, and their two daughters, Anna and Joy. She hopes that one day they can revisit China as a family.

Dan was born in Texas but grew up in South Korea, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. At an early age, he found his passion for worship and discovered his natural gift for leading worship through music when he was in middle school. Later, he made the decision to pursue his life’s calling in full-time ministry and moved to New Jersey to join Joy in 2017. He earned his Master of Arts in Worship Studies at Dallas Baptist University in Texas. He is currently serving as the Director of Worship here at Joy.

Dan is a songwriter and is passionate about the production and recording of songs as well. He is a graphic designer and creates graphics for Joy’s ministry needs. Dan loves Christmas so much that he listens to “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey at the beginning of August every year. He and his wife, Hannah, along with their daughter, Deborah, love to explore cities and nature parks. It is Dan’s hope that Joy will enter God’s presence with a joyful sound as God beckons His people to come and abide in Jesus.

Kevin was born in Korea and moved to the US when he was ten. After living in California for one year, his family moved to Ridgewood, New Jersey, where his parents still reside. Kevin graduated from MIT and has an MBA from NYU Stern Business School. After encountering the saving knowledge of Jesus at Joy, he served in various ministries, including Fellowship, Parking, Toddlers, Small Groups, and he traveled extensively for short-term missions to Thailand, India, Nicaragua, Kyrgyzstan, and Malawi. In 2017, after spending over 20 years on the Structured Products Sales & Trading Desk at Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, and KBW, Kevin left the marketplace to pursue vocational ministry. He has been the Director of Missions at Joy since 2018.

Kevin and his wife, Deacon Do Yon, have two sons, Alexander and Edward. An avid volleyball player and instructor in his younger days, the older Kevin enjoys talking about sports, the financial markets, the Bible, and parenting. Kevin hopes Joy members will intimately know and experience God, who loves us and invites us to participate in His good works for His glory.

Jayne was born in Virginia and grew up in Seoul, Korea. After studying film and television at New York University, she worked in the entertainment media industry in the areas of research, marketing, and production for major film studios. As she started seeking God for her purpose, she pursued graduate studies in global media and communication at the London School of Economics in London and University of Southern California in Los Angeles. During her 4 years in LA, she powerfully encountered God and has since been on a personal journey of faith and following Jesus. She moved to New Jersey in 2019 where her family resides and joined Joy in 2022.

She currently manages the operations, administration, and communication at Joy and hopes that all can feel at home at Joy and grow together as a church as we each strive to follow Jesus. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her two dogs, going on nature walks or a swim, and pretending to be a musician as she sings while playing the piano or practicing her beginner skills on the electric guitar.

Mark grew up outside of Chicago, and after graduating from the University of Illinois, he moved to New York City in 2005 to begin his career in financial services. After several years in the industry and serving bi-vocationally on staff at Remnant Westside Church, he completed a M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School while serving at Harvest Community Church. Mark returned to NYC in 2016 to join Redeemer Presbyterian Church, where he most recently served as an Assistant Pastor, before joining Joy in 2021. Mark is married to Holly, who hails from Sydney, Australia, and they have three rambunctious boys, Joshua (9), Justin (7), and Jesse (5). When he's not running after his boys, he loves exploring new cities, watching and playing sports (especially basketball and golf), and reading.