Don Carson Takes Up New Role As TGC Theologian at Large
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Collin Hansen, Editorial Director
Email: [email protected]
Austin, Texas – January 20, 2020 – The Gospel Coalition is pleased to announce the appointment of Julius Kim as the organization’s next president. The members of TGC’s Council unanimously elected Kim on January 15.
Kim, 51, is currently the dean of students and professor of practical theology at Westminster Seminary California. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America, Kim also serves as an associate pastor at New Life Presbyterian Church in Escondido, California.
Kim has written several books and articles, including Preaching the Whole Counsel of God: Design and Deliver Gospel-Centered Sermons (Zondervan). He has also served on multiple boards, including Covenant College, the Cambridge School, and Peacemaker Ministries. In 2015, he joined The Gospel Coalition Council.
“I am profoundly humbled and grateful that the Board and Council of TGC has granted me this privilege to serve Christ as its next president,” Kim said. “It is my sincere hope and prayer that as the Lord has so faithfully blessed this ministry for the past 15 years, he will provide even more blessing as we strive to make Christ and his gospel known to the church worldwide.”
Kim was born in Los Angeles, but spent much of his childhood in Korea. His family returned to California when Kim was 12. After college, Kim earned an MDiv from Westminster Seminary California and a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). While there, he taught classes at TEDS as well as Trinity International University. He was a visiting scholar at Cambridge University in England and Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology in Seoul, Korea. He currently lives in Escondido, California, with his wife, Ji Hee, and two daughters.
“Julius is at heart a pastor, with a desire to build into others, strengthen the local church, and see the gospel take root in the lives of God’s people,” said Kevin DeYoung, chairman of TGC’s Board and the presidential search committee. “He understands all that must not change about TGC—our purpose, our theology, our convictions—while not being afraid to dream about new ventures and new ideas for the future. Relying on God’s grace, we are confident that Julius is the right man to champion our theological vision for life and ministry, shepherd our growing staff, and lead this global and dynamic ministry for years to come.”
In 2005, Don Carson and Tim Keller first convened the group of pastors who became the Council of TGC; later, Carson was appointed its first president. With Kim’s appointment, Carson will become TGC’s theologian at large, focusing his energies on writing projects and investing in the Coalition’s broad network of international relationships.
“It is with real confidence in the goodness of God that I look forward to the leadership of Julius Kim as he takes over the presidency of the organization,” Carson said. “His commitment to confessionalism in the Reformed heritage, his years of teaching and pastoral experience, and his enormous skill in the domain of personal relationships, combine with the vision he shares with TGC leadership to prepare him for this strategic role.”
Keller, vice chairman of TGC’s Board, said he looks forward to benefiting from Kim’s ministry gifts and leadership.
“We are excited about the appointment of Julius Kim,” Keller said. “He is both an academic and a pastor, with long years of teaching students how to apply theology to practical ministry and life.”
Kim will assume the title of president on February 1 and transition into the role full-time as he completes his responsibilities at Westminster Seminary by July 1.
Since 2005, TGC has grown to 21 regional chapters in the United States and Canada and 12 more across the globe. In the last decade, the annual number of users at TGC.org has grown from 1 million to 33 million, making it one of the largest Christian websites in the world. As a network of like-minded pastors and ministry leaders in the Reformed tradition, TGC exists to apply the truth and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all of life.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TGC’S NEW PRESIDENT