Leadership

Staff

Bill Smith
Senior Pastor
billsmith@renewalmainline.org

Bill is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) and has lived in and around the Philadelphia area most of his life. He has pastored a couple different churches, been a faculty member and counselor at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, taught practical theology at several seminaries and authored a number of books and booklets. Bill and his wife Sally are closing in on three decades of marriage and have three children that they are helping launch into adulthood. Bill enjoys being with his family, cheering at his kids’ sporting events, rehabbing his home, gardening, cooking, watching movies and reading, especially novels. He is regularly captured by the unexpected ways that God engages people in scripture and loves unpacking those interactions so that modern people can experience Christ’s grace and kindness in the messiness of their own lives.

 

Dan Whang
Assistant Pastor
danwhang@renewalmainline.org

Dan was born in New York City, spent his childhood in North Carolina, and lived in New Jersey through his college years at Rutgers University. After college, he earned his MDiv at Biblical Theological Seminary, after which he served as the college pastor at Renewal Presbyterian Church in West Philly for 19 years. Most recently, he served at Renewal Center City as the campus pastor until he felt the call to join the staff at Renewal Main Line as the assistant pastor. Dan and his wife, Miyoung, live in the suburbs of Philadelphia with their active toddler, Joseph. His hobbies include spending time with his family, running, following his favorite sports teams, watching shows, and enjoying his favorite foods. Dan’s heart is to shepherd God’s people faithfully and pray in intercession for all who need the hope of the Gospel.

Nick Gwak
College and Youth Pastor
nickgwak@renewalmainline.org

Nicholas was born in Wilmington, DE, but spent much of his life as a Philadelphian. There he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of the Sciences. Afterwards, desiring to be a physician of the soul instead, he attended and graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served at Emmanuel Church in Philadelphia in the English Ministry and Youth Group for four years and one year respectively. During his free time he enjoys spending time with people, watching movies, reading, and fishkeeping. Driven by his love for Christ and His people, he always welcomes fellowship whether scheduled or spontaneous!

 

Samantha Kim
Children's Ministry Director
samanthakim@renewalmainline.org

Samantha came to Philadelphia from Toronto to attend the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate and Master of Architecture degrees. Throughout her years at Renewal, she has served in various capacities including children’s ministry, youth group, praise team, and as a deaconess. She has a desire to see relationships formed within the church that cross age, occupational, and social boundaries. She also loves seeing people use the gifts God has given them to build bridges between the church and the community. Sam lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with her husband, Ed, their three children, and one dog.  When she’s not busy momming, practicing architecture, or managing their coworking space, you might find her baking, watching tv, or making lists — lots and lots of lists.

 

Esther Tse
Nursery & Preschool Ministry Director
esthertse@renewalmainline.org

Esther loves children and has a big heart for children’s ministry. She previously served as a Children’s Ministry Director at Emmanuel Church in Philadelphia for both the Preschool/Pre-K and Elementary departments.

 

Betty Suh
Administrative Assistant
contact@renewalmainline.org

Betty began attending Renewal in 2002 and after all these years she is thankful to still call Renewal her church family. It is at Renewal she also met her husband and became a mom to three children. Other than attending college in the Midwest and living in Guam for four years, Betty has grown up and lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia all her life. She continues to live in the suburbs with her husband, Juwon, along with their children, and a Mini Bernedoodle. In her free time, Betty loves game and movie nights with her family, baking, reading, and going on walks with her fur baby.

Elders

Daniel Lui
Ruling Elder

Juwon Suh
Ruling Elder

Tim Lee
Ruling Elder

Contact: session@renewalmainline.org

Diaconate

Esther Hwang
Deaconess

Grace Na
Deaconess

Mike Reig
Deacon

Contact: diaconate@renewalmainline.org