Biography

Rev. Sophia Hyon began her ministry 14 years ago in South Korea. “I was born and grew up in a Buddhist family, so I didn’t know God until I was 16 years old. I felt God’s inviting love at a youth camp and became a Christian at age 16. It has been a dynamic journey with God ever since.”

Rev. Hyon graduated with a Master of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Seminary in 2012. She also completed a Master’s in Theological Studies at Garrett in 2015. Upon graduation in 2015, Hyon was appointed to serve as pastor in two nearby United Methodist Churches, Coleta UMC & Milledgeville UMC. She was commissioned in 2017 and ordained as an Elder in the UMC, June 2, 2019 at the recent Annual Conference. Hyon attended the Graduate School of the Methodist Theological University (MTU) in Seoul, South Korea. At MTU, she completed a Th.M with concentration in pastoral care and counseling (2003-2005). She received a Bh.T in Theology at MTU prior to graduate school (1998-2002).

Rev. Hyon was an intern at Glenview United Methodist Church in Glenview, IL (2014-2015). She was a student pastor at Korean Central United Methodist Church in Prospect Heights, IL (2011-2014). And, she also served as a student pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church in Itasca, IL (2008-2009). Before moving to Illinois, Hyon was a pastor at two churches in Incheon, South Korea.

Bishop Sally Dyck, appointed Hyewon ‘Sophia’ Hyon, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) at the Chicago Temple in 2019.