Joseph Ryu currently serves as the college pastor of Promise International Fellowship, the international ministry of Promise Church in New York. He is currently studying at Southern Seminary (MDiv) and received his education in Political Science at Rutgers University (BA). During college, the freedoms found through adulthood led him to reject the Gospel he grew up with which ultimately led him to deep depression and despair. It was through some faithful friends from Soon Movement (formerly KCCC) that God restored Joseph’s faith at this very conference exactly 14 years ago. Through the ministry, he fell in love with being a part of God’s redemptive plan through missions and evangelism and before graduating, took a gap year to go on STINT to the Far East as a confirmation to his calling into pastoral ministry. With every opportunity God gives, he has made it his life's mission to direct hearts towards humility and honesty in the pursuit of developing real and intimate relationships with Jesus Christ. He is married to his lovely wife, Mirim, and they are expecting their first child this April! It’s a girl! In his spare time, Joseph is an avid listener of NPR and loves to listen to podcasts, preferably while drinking a grande iced americano with extra ice in a venti cup.