Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is resident bishop in the Wisconsin Annual Conference, and has served in this role since September of 2012. He played a key role in Wisconsin's Imagine No Malaria Campaign, which raised more than $1 million. He visited every congregation in the annual conference, gave oversight to the planting of over 30 congregations, and started use of the Pentecost Emergence Plan with Hispanic ministries in Wisconsin. Under his commitment to increase racial justice and radical inclusion, the Wisconsin Conference has reached 49% of its appointments being served by cross-racial leadership. During his time in Wisconsin, Bishop Jung has deepened mission partnerships with both the Dongbu Conference of the KMC, and the Evangelical Methodist Church of Bolivia.

Prior to leading the Wisconsin Conference UMC, Bishop Jung served eight years as bishop of the Northern Illinois Conference (Chicago area). He was instrumental in inspiring the Harvest 2020 movement in Northern Illinois, which resulted in many new faith communities. He was committed to immigration justice and the sanctuary movement, and initiated Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON).

Previously, Bishop Jung was ordained as an elder in the Wisconsin Conference, serving as a pastor and a district superintendent. Bishop Jung taught and chaired the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Kangnam University in South Korea. He also served as pastor of congregations in California, Texas, and South Korea.

He has served as president of the General Board of Global Ministries since 2016 and chair of the UM Korean National Plan since 2012. Under his guidance multiple language versions of the small group ministry, “Longing to Meet You” was developed. Bishop Jung serves as a member of the Ecumenical Forum for Korea at Geneva, Switzerland, and is actively involved in Korea peace and reconciliation efforts. He has served as faculty for the Five Day and Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation since 2005 and has taught in various Five-Day Academy sessions in the U.S. and abroad. Previously, Bishop Jung served as president of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and as a member of the Board of Directors for the General Board of Discipleship, the UM National Hispanic Plan, the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, the General Commission on United Methodist Men, and JustPeace.

Bishop Jung is currently Adjunct Professor at Yonsei University in South Korea, and Claremont School of Theology.

Bishop Jung earned a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds an M.A. from the Institute of Buddhist Studies, affiliated with the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA; an M.A. from the Dongguk University Graduate School in Seoul, South Korea; and a B.Th. from the Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, South Korea.

Im-Hyon, Bishop Jung's spouse, is an elder in the Wisconsin Conference and currently serves as the director of International Relations, Asia & Global Programs, for the Upper Room/Discipleship Ministries. The Jung’s are the parents of two adult sons, Jae-Hugh and Jae-Joon, who is married to Brittney. They are also the proud grandparents of Sydney. The Jungs reside in Sun Prairie, Wi.

To read Bishop Jung's Soul Food click here.