Pastor You was born and raised in South Korea and came to the United States in 2010. She served as an Elder in the North Alabama Conference as did her husband, Yohan Hong. They have a daughter, Esther Hong, who is 14 years old.

The couple initially met in seminary in South Korea, where they trained as missionaries. After completing seminary, they served in the Philippines where they built a new church in Mindanao. In the US, they initially lived in Kentucky and continued their studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. She most recently served the Stone River United Methodist Church as a Holistic Ministry Pastor, where she led the holistic aspect of the mission and provided pastoral counseling. Additionally, she served the Multicultural Ministries team as the program/education leader for promoting diversity, inclusion, and justice. In total, she has served as a pastor for 19 years, first in South Korea, then the Philippines, and, most recently, in the North Alabama Conference.

Beyond the more typical skills expected of a pastor, she believes her strengths include the ability to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds, and the ability to collaborate effectively with church leaders to develop and implement strategic plans that align with the mission of the United Methodist Church. She believes that a diverse and inclusive community is essential for the flourishing of our church (both the local church and the broader United Methodist Church), and has committed to being a bridge builder, breaking cultural barriers, and establishing a safe place of love, acceptance, and inclusion.

Her husband has been appointed to serve as pastor in Monona. They will be living in the parsonage in Brooklyn. Pastor You’s appointment officially begins on July 1st