Rev. Dr. Heesung Hwang (she/her) is a Christian religious educator and ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church with research interests in anti-racism, Korean American spirituality, and the intersection of theology, pedagogy, and social justice. She earned her PhD in Christian Education and Congregational Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and has taught at various theological institutions in the United States and abroad. Her book, Reframing Christian Education for a Global Generation, explores Wesleyan concepts such as prevenient grace, the small group movement, and social holiness, incorporating rich narratives from immigrant congregations.
Dr. Hwang has spent a significant portion of her ministry engaging with Korean American congregations as a pastor, consultant, and curriculum developer, deepening her understanding of immigrant church dynamics and fostering innovative approaches to ministry and education.
Her work includes facilitating mentoring cohorts and contributing to projects that amplify the narratives of Asian American women scholars and clergy, advancing anti-racism in both academic and ecclesial contexts. As an Asian American woman scholar navigating multi-layered structures of oppression, Dr. Hwang is passionate about fostering inclusive and resilient communities, mainly through theologies of hospitality and multicultural ministry. Dr. Hwang serves as the board secretary and a member of the steering committee at the Religious Education Association, contributing to the advancement of theological education and religious leadership.
She and her spouse, Dooyong Kang, are coffee enthusiasts who love discovering hidden cafes with excellent brews and cozy atmospheres. As film buffs, they enjoy watching movies that challenge conventional narratives, often sparking hours of lively discussion. An avid reader, she gravitates towards works that blend literature, theology, and cultural critique, relishing conversations that explore these intersections. In her free time, she enjoys creative hobbies like painting, knitting, crocheting, and quilting, which she finds to be meditative practices that nurture her spirit.