Peter Ahn – Lead Pastor
Peter Ahn
As the pastor of Metro, Peter brings years of real-life experience in the television industry, a vision for a relevant church culture, and a passion for the poor and the oppressed. Peter completed his Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA and has returned to the NJ/NY area to plant a church that would reach the next generation.
Peter and his wife Jenny are proud parents of their daughters Christina, Kayla and son Christian.
Stephen Sharkey – Pastor of Life Ministries
Stephen Sharkey
Stephen, aka “Shark Dawg” is from Chicago where he completed his M.Div. at North Park Theological Seminary. Stephen oversees the discipleship process, which include the Underground Groups, Spiritual Formation Classes, and Ministries at Metro. Stephen’s hobbies include mountain biking, playing the guitar, and being a Chicago’s sports junkie.
Stephen and his wife Kathleen are proud parents of their son Tyler.
Shirley You – Children’s Pastor
Shirley You
Shirley has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers’s University. She also has a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Metro Community Church, she served as the Director of Children’s Ministry for Pilgrim Church in Paramus, NJ.
Shirley and her husband Evan are proud parents of their son Ethan and daughter Evelyn.
Koo Chung – Pastor of “Arts in Ministry” (AIM)
Koo Chung
Koo, a New Yorker at heart, is an accomplished singer/songwriter and producer. Koo is not only a gifted musician but he is also passionate about the church being an authentic community reaching the next generation. He has joined the Metro staff to oversee the implementation of music and many other forms of art on Sundays and in the life and ministry of the church in general. In his spare time, you will probably find Koo at the movies or eating some delicious grub with his better half Jinny.
Abe Kim – Pastor of First Steps Ministry
Abe Kim
Abe Kim, a born and bred NJer, is currently on staff with Metro as the Pastor of First Steps Ministry. He currently oversees the Young Adult Ministry (YAM), and Newcomers and New Believers ministries. He recently graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. He also has a undergrad degree in Finance from Boston University and was actively involved with campus ministries like Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Abe is also happily married to Ashley Kim(pictured below). If he’s not at church, you can find him watching/playing basketball and football, reading some books, or listening to good sermons.
Ashley Kim – Associate Director of MetroKids
Ashley Kim
Ashley is a proud New Yorker, now living in New Jersey. Ashley graduated from Boston University with a dual degree in Finance and Operations Management. Currently the Associate Finance Manager at Unilever, Ashley uses her amazing Microsoft Excel skills to help Metro Kids to be organized and on task. But not only that, Ashley has a huge heart for children’s ministry. Prior to joining Metro’s staff, Ashley had been on staff with New York University InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. If you don’t catch Ashley at church, you’ll probably find her shopping for the coolest styles in fashion or hanging out with her new hubby, Abe Kim.
Lauren Hertel – Associate Director of MetroMerge
Lauren Hertel
Lauren moved to Jersey last year with her husband Matthew and their five children and immediately found their new home in Metro Community Church. She loves Metro’s diversity & third-culture mentality. This Hoosier girl enjoys scrapblogging, Kim-chi, updating her fb status, baking, a clean kitchen sink, amigurumi, & making people snarf liquid out their nose.
It is with her love for children that she recently came onboard as the Associate Director for MetroMerge (our Middle School Ministry)
Grace Liaw – Operations Coordinator
Grace Liaw
Grace’s whole life has led her to the job of Operations Coordinator at Metro. In her previous church, she served in Youth Ministry for nearly 10 years. From planning events to teaching Sunday School to building relationships, Grace gained valuable experience in that decade. By profession, Grace is a certified elementary teacher in New Jersey, and often brings that skill-set to her current position. On the side, this active mother of two boys (ages 18 and 13) likes to run, rock climb, and watch the Food Network.
