Esther (Sook Hyung) Kim, a Southern Baptist missionary to the Philippines, died July 16 after suffering a heart attack, the International Mission Board reported. She was 64.
Kim was attending a team meeting when she began to feel ill and went to a local hospital for care. Hospital staff revived her after she collapsed on site, but she did not regain consciousness, the IMB said in a news release.
Born in Seoul, Kim and her husband, Joseph (Dae), had moved to the United States, where they became U.S. citizens and served in local church ministry. They were commissioned by the International Mission Board as mid-term missionaries to the Philippines in 2022. They were sent by Korean Baptist Church of Greenville, North Carolina. They have served as church planters, working in discipleship, and as liaisons with the Korean Baptist Convention.
‘Inspiration to all’
“The Kims, coming out later in life, are an inspiration to all,” said missionary Jess Jennings, who has served with his wife, Wendy, as the Kims’ supervisor. “Esther could have easily retired and then spent time with grandkids, but they chose to come and work in a hard place. Wendy and I visited them several times in their home and were able to experience Esther’s hospitality and see firsthand their ministry. They were a team, always going together.
“Esther’s joy was contagious!” Jennings added. “Esther loved to play her ukulele and teach the children songs. The kids loved it too!”
She is survived by her husband, Joseph Kim; two sons, John Kim and his wife, Brandi Kim, and Joshua Kim; and two grandchildren, Olivia Kim and Sofia Kim.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by IMB staff and originally published by the International Mission Board.
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