Orange Canaan says Goodbye and Hello – With an Eye to the Future

by Courtney Ellis

Located in the heart of a Latino neighborhood in Santa Ana, Orange Canaan Presbyterian Church is a Korean congregation “Led by the Word,” according to its website. Dedicated to proclaiming the love of God, Orange Canaan has focused for many years on proclaiming the Gospel and caring for its surrounding community.

Their hands-on neighborhood ministries have looked different over time, from supporting a local food bank during Covid, to hosting luncheons for local first responders, to caring for Martin Elementary School, a primarily Latino school, right across the street in more recent years. According to our Presbytery’s Stated Clerk Rev. Sandra Kim, “through Orange Canaan’s ongoing annual donations of more than $10,000, the elementary school has been able to adopt a variety of enrichment programs. Their ministry is a strong example of cross-cultural outreach and bridge-building within the community.” View a wonderful video highlighting the church’s ministry to the local community.

Rev. Innchul Kim and Family

“We…dream of diverse people gathering together…to build the Kingdom of God together,” wrote Orange Canaan’s longtime pastor, Rev. Innchul Kim. Though the Santa Ana neighborhood where Orange Canaan is located does not have a significant Korean population, people drive from as far as Fullerton and Brea, even San Diego, to attend worship and other church activities.

After 15 years of faithfully witnessing to the Gospel amid his congregation and its neighborhood, Rev. Kim retired this March. Then on May 3, the Presbytery of Los Ranchos ordained and installed Orange Canaan’s new pastor, Rev. Inseo Song, who first began serving at the church in a non-pastoral capacity in January of 2025.

From the ordination and installation service of Rev. Inseo Song. May 3, 2026

According to ruling elder Victor Choe, the congregation is really looking forward to Song’s leadership. He reports that this season of transition is filled with hope for the church. “So far it’s been a very smooth transition,” said Choe. “All the elders and our staff have been have been very supportive and of one mind. It was very peaceful.”

Still, Song notes that saying goodbye to Kim has been difficult for many in the congregation. “Since Rev. Kim’s retirement, many members have been feeling his absence deeply,” he said. “Because he maintained such close, family-like relationships with the congregation, there is a significant sense of loss.”

However, Song looks forward to carrying on Kim’s ministry. “His warm-hearted leadership has cultivated a wonderful group of believers,” he said. “Even after his retirement, the congregation remains united and committed to carrying forward the beautiful legacy of ministry he established.”

As Orange Canaan continues to build for the future, it faces both unique opportunities and unique challenges.

“What I look forward to most is the opportunity to engage in vibrant worship alongside our faithful members,” said Song. “We were recently joined by Pastor Woo-joo Kang, who came from Korea to lead our worship and praise ministry. I believe that through Pastor Kang’s leadership, our worship will become even more enriched and blessed.”

One of the main challenges Orange Canaan faces will no doubt be familiar to many of the congregations of Los Ranchos: an aging population.

“With many senior members, we are deeply discerning how the church must evolve to reach younger generations and the next generation of believers,” noted Song. The church hosts an English Ministry geared toward the adult and teen children and recent graduates of first-generation families, and this is beginning to find its footing.

Elder Victor Choe described the church’s aging challenge another way: “I’m 63 and I’m considered kind of a young dude in the church!” he said. “We want to attract younger congregation members in their 40s and 50s, but because of the location it’s hard for them to come all the way.” Choe references the second big challenge Orange Canaan faces: most of its worshipers do not live in the surrounding neighborhood but instead drive from as far away as Buena Park, Fullerton, and Downey.

“We cover a big area for people to come,” said Choe, “which is typical of a lot of Korean churches. Plus, we are far away from the freeway, hard to get to…That’s actually the biggest issue for us.”

While Choe said the church’s leadership has pondered whether God may be calling them to move to a new location–perhaps one closer to the freeway, or closer to a city like Irvine that has a bigger Korean population–Song is seeking to understand first why God has placed Orange Canaan where it is.

“Discerning God’s clear will and vision for why he established our church in this specific location is a meaningful challenge,” he said. “Our task is to discern our calling, identify the ways we can serve both the Korean and local community, and carry out those responsibilities with faithfulness.”

As Orange Canaan experiences this pastoral transition and seeks to be faithful in the neighborhoods of Santa Ana, both Song and Choe are eager for the prayers of the Presbytery.

“Please pray that the church remains steadfast and grounded during this period of change,” requested Song. “Please pray that our ministry produces many true Christians who live out their faith. Lastly, please pray for my fellow staff and ministry partners that we may all fulfill our callings through the strength provided by the Lord.”

Choe’s response was more succinct. “Pray for us to grow,” he said. “It is better for us to join hands than continue to struggle.”

Courtney Ellis, Associate Pastor at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, is an author and storyteller. She is an eNews special correspondent.

Courtney’s latest book Weathering Change is available directly from the publisher, InterVarsity Press, or at your favorite bookseller.