Our Story

Korean American Presbyterian Clergy Women (KAPCW) is a community formed by Korean American women in ministry who sought deeper connection, encouragement, and mutual support. As women serving in a variety of churches, ministries, and communities, we value a space where our stories are shared and our callings are nurtured. Read the history of KAPCW below.

Our Beginning (1990-1991)

Seven Korean American women in ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) gathered in Louisville on September 20–23, 1990, at the invitation of two General Assembly Council offices. Recognizing the emerging needs of the growing number of Korean American women in ministry, the seven women envisioned forming a national organization.

Their vision led to the first national organizing meeting in Los Angeles on May 23–25, 1991, where fifteen women gathered under the theme “The Prophetic Role of Korean American Clergywomen in the Twenty-first Century.” Although they represented diverse ages, languages, ministry contexts, and theological perspectives, they affirmed their shared identity as sisters in Christ and committed to accompanying one another in faith and ministry. Korean American Clergywomen, PC(USA), was officially organized on May 24, 1991.

Growing in Sisterhood (1992-2010)

As KAPCW grew, it deepened its sisterhood and strengthened its organizational structure. Its early leadership consisted of three regional representatives, a secretary, and a treasurer, who helped guide and coordinate the organization’s ministry. The annual summit became central to KAPCW’s life, welcoming any woman of Korean heritage in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its partner churches who was engaged in ministry or considering ministry as a vocation.

In the early years, conference themes often reflected on the struggles women faced in ministry, especially within a long history of excluding women from positions of church leadership. In 2000, as KAPCW celebrated its tenth anniversary, the community joyfully recognized and gave thanks for the work God had accomplished through women in the church. Since then, the summits have explored many themes, including honoring our journeys, writing our own stories, and embracing our callings as educators, preachers, and ministers.

KAPCW Today (2011-Today)

Today, KAPCW continues to grow as a community of women serving God in many different places and forms of ministry. Its five-member board is no longer organized by geographic regions but brings together leaders from different generations and areas of ministry. KAPCW members now serve not only in traditional congregational settings but also in chaplaincy, teaching, academia, church and ministry planting, and leadership within councils across the denomination.

Through ongoing connections, newsletters, and the Annual Summit, members remain connected across distance and the many settings in which they serve. We support one another through the joys and challenges of ministry and celebrate the unique journey God has called each person to. Although each woman has her own calling, together we also share a calling to serve and strengthen the wider Church.

Moving Forward Together

After more than thirty-five years, KAPCW celebrates the many ways God has nurtured and strengthened this community. Yet we also recognize the challenges before us, including the realities of a post-pandemic world, declining interest in seminary and vocational ministry, a rapidly changing society, and the need to connect more deeply with younger generations. Korean American women have come a long way in church leadership, but much work remains to be done.

Moving forward will require not only responding to these challenges but also having the courage to ask the right questions about our future: Who are we now, and who is God calling us to become? How can we continue to understand and redefine ourselves as KAPCW while nurturing emerging leaders and faithfully serving the changing Church? Through continuing conversation, connection, and sisterhood, we will discern the way forward and walk into the future together.

Our Logo & Stole

Describe the meaning of our logo

Saek-dong stoles: It has been the tradition of the KAPCW to present a stole made from traditional Korean fabric to a Korean American female candidate being ordained as a teaching elder in the PCUSA. Ordinarily, the candidate should have attended at least one of KAPCW’s annual gatherings to be an eligible recipient of the stole. When the board shares a candidate’s ordination information, one board member will send her a stole with a note; if a board member can attend the ordination service, they will present it to the candidate in person.

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