Director Alexander Pak
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Brother Alexander Tae Ryon Pak is a retired pastor and professor who has taught spanning forty years. After retiring, he obtained a certified substitute teaching credential and began teaching various high schools and juvenile halls, also volunteered as a medical interpreter and chaplain at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey, California. Throughout his lifetime teaching career, he continues to mentor and make impacts among many youths, young adults, and adults.
After immigrating from South Korea, he became a born-again Christian in 1980. His faith has been deeply impacted by his family including his grandmother’s youngest sister Bak Nam Suk, one of the 120 martyrs who were recognized by the Foundation of Korean Martyrs in South Korea. Dr. Pak received his M.Div. and M.Th. in Church History at Calvin Theological Seminary—as well as Ph.D. in Church History at Westminster Theological Seminary. He has been an ordained minister under the Reformed Church in America (RCA) since 2000. Brother Pak was married to Gloria Pak for 18 years until 2003, when she passed away from ovarian cancer, which greatly affected both Alex and their daughter Grace. In 2007, he then completed his D.Th. dissertation titled “Georges Florovsky’s View of Marriage and the Ascetic Ideal in the New Testament: Reflection on the Patristic Fathers, Clement of Alexandria and Origen” at the California Graduate School of Theology (in La Habra, California) under Dr. Joseph Farrell (Oxon.). He also taught at Westminster Theological Seminary (PA), Koshin Theological Seminary (N.J., CA), International Reformed University and Seminary in Los Angeles, and California Graduate School of Theology in La Habra, CA. He lives in a monastic life after his wife, Gloria Pak, passed away in 2003. Currently he is the director of Martyr Suk Bak Name virtual monastery along with EastWest Bible Institute that aims to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to to people. His hobby is working on used-automobiles. |
Teaching Philosophy
Brother Alex’s teaching philosophy integrates reciprocal relationship, servant leadership, and equipping of knowledge of the area(s) of teaching. This includes providing levels of care and being available. While grace is given throughout learning, self-responsibility and meeting deadlines is an expectation he expects from himself and others.
Practical Spirituality
The inerrancy of the Bible and practicing spiritual disciplines is of utmost importance. Respecting and honoring the tradition and history of Christianity teaches Christians in application to living out the faith in Christ. God calls and invites every Christian to expand His Kingdom. The Church of Christ should be highly regarded—as it is where the Word of God is taught and applied ultimately; it is the place where the Sacrament is dispensed and where the people of God praise and worship Him. Thus, there is a high regard for the office of a minister of the Word. However, one’s pursuit of personal advantage and defensive behavior should be monitored with discernment. Being self-serving is neither biblical nor desirable from a minister of the Word. All needs and sustenance come from God alone. Seeking security, comfort, fame, or self-glory from a ministry is not desirable. As of matter of fact, it should be shunned. Doing God’s work is a privilege—but is not a right. Therefore, ministry should be used to pursue personal gain or fame. A minister should be prepared and available to those in need of spiritual guidance and help. This does not extend into personal matters nor ulterior motives.
Teaching Spiritual Plans
As a devout Korean-American Christian, Alex believes that one should not ignore nor forget their cultural background. In light of this, he ministers to anyone (Christians and non-Christians) interested in knowing Christian spirituality and monastic tradition—through discipleship in order to know and experience Christ. Prayer and studying of the God’s Word is scriptural and must be carried out by every leader and lay person in the church. The Church must equip the disciples to be a responsible Christians to be the salt and light of the world.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV), “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is the Great Commission that Christ has given to his followers. Making all nations the Disciples of Christ is a biblical and mandatory; this is God’s mission for the church; it is the one of the most important mandates to all believers.