Introducing Rev. James Lim
James was born in 1973 in Seoul, South Korea. When he was quite young his family moved to Southern California and he grew up in Hacienda Heights. He received a Bachelor of Science in Neural Science at New York University in 1997. He then began post graduate work at Harvard University, Harvard School of Public Health in Neural Science. When James felt the call to the ministry, however, he discontinued the pursuit of that degree. Having settled upon attending Westminster Seminary, California, James got a job in Carlsbad doing research in his field of expertise, and then started seminary in 2002. James received his Master of Divinity degree in 2004. It was during this time period that James met Taylor at the church they both were attending, and they got married in 2002. The Lims have two daughters, Sophia and Calleigh, ages 7 and 4 respectively.
James interned at New Life Mission Church of La Jolla (PCA) from 2002-2004. Then he interned at Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah, GA from 2004-2006. James was ordained in May 2007 by the OPC Presbytery of the South in conjunction with his call to serve as the Associate Pastor at Lake Sherwood OPC.
The Lim family has really enjoyed the time they have spent worshipping and serving in their church in Florida during the past four years. Over time, James has taken on more and more responsibilities, improved and matured as a preacher and teacher, and become more confident and competent. Senior pastor Larry Mininger said “He came to us about 4 years ago having had two internships in vastly different settings. He became my assistant and was eager to serve wherever needed. He was not a great preacher then and he knew it, but you could tell he walked with the Lord and was dead-set on developing into the best pastor he could be.” Pastor Mininger also said “James was also eager for my tutoring and made vast improvement. He is well educated and has a scientist’s approach to study. He is diligent and a good manager of his time. Some of his sermons truly blessed my soul and I almost always learned something I had not known before”. Their Session “found James to be intelligent, hard working, self sacrificing, loving and caring…. never known him to be offended. He responds to criticism with grace and is teachable.” James has had a great relationship with his Session: “James is a great asset to our Session. He is humble but not afraid. He often brings to light a perspective that otherwise might not have been considered. I feel comfortable and free to speak my mind fully with him without the risk of offence.”
James’ responsibilities at Lake Sherwood have prepared him to effectively serve as a senior pastor. In addition to preaching nearly every Sunday evening sermon, James does a lot of teaching. He teaches the Adult Sunday School class and usually two small groups during the week. James also oversees the entire Sunday School Program. For the Adult Class James implemented a five year schedule designed to give a well rounded biblical education. In addition, he is involved in a variety of outreach activities and has proven that he has excellent counseling skills: “quick and tireless in response to counseling needs. He is firm and ready to discipline if needed for the sake of Christ and the offender, as well as compassionate and long suffering”. James has been personally involved in the effort to stop abortions, including offering to adopt as an alternative to aborting a baby.
Pastor Overduin’s Article in New Horizons
In the December 2011 issue of New Horizons, on page 21, the following article regarding our former pastor appeared.
After 35 years as pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church of Long Beach, the Rev. Daniel
Overduin announced his retirement to the congregational meeting in January. His final
sermon, “Hesitation at the Border”, was delivered the morning of June 26, and a fellowship
lunch followed worship. At least 200 were there to honor Dan’s faithful ministry for
three and a half decades.
The Presbytery of Southern California will spread the following motion in its minutes:
Upon the retirement from regular pastoral duties of the Rev. Daniel Overduin, it
seemed fitting that Presbytery mark this occasion with a recorded thanksgiving to God
for raising up and equipping this godly and humble servant of the church and of her
Lord.
Both the longevity and faithfulness of Dan’s ministry in this Presbytery require a
minute of recognition. Mr. Overduin has served the Lord in the bounds of this
Presbytery since his ordination March 8, 1968. He briefly served as associate pastor
in Manhattan Beach, before being called as pastor of our Beverly congregation in
1969. Faith Church, Long Beach, issued a call to him in 1975, and he has continued
in this position for 36 years.
Mr. Overduin has shepherded this congregation these many years until it has become
the warm and active family of God that it is today.
His service in this Presbytery includes several years in which he served as chairman of
our Missions Committee.
After 43 years of ministry in the Presbytery of Southern California, Pastor Overduin
has the distinction of seniority among us by many years. We are grateful to God for
this service, and we pray that he may find fruitful ministry among us for many years to
come.
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Welcome to Faith Church in Long Beach, CA.
500 E. San Antonio
Long Beach, CA 90807
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