Editor’s Note: Each of the speakers for this year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference in Phoenix, AZ was nominated by someone. I have asked each speaker’s nominator to answer a few questions about the person they nominated. David Choi of Church of the Beloved in Chicago, IL was nominated by Chris Wright. Below are Chris’ responses to the questions I sent him.
How do you know Dave?
A little over five years ago I was introduced to Dave through a mutual friend. I was serving with the state convention staff and tasked with recruiting and coaching church planters. Dave was assembling a core team with the vision for planting a church in downtown Chicago. We met over lunch and I was immediately impressed with Dave. He had a humble spirit and an infectious personality. Several months later with a small group of friends and a lot of prayer, Dave launched Church of the Beloved. I had the pleasure of being at their first service, which was standing room only. Dave attributes their incredible launch and subsequent growth to the power of prayer. Since then, I have had a ringside seat to watch God do amazing things in Dave’s life and the life of the church. I now have the pleasure of serving as the Chicago City Missionary for NAMB helping to shine a spotlight on Church of the Beloved.
Why did you nominate him?
Anyone that meets Dave instantly loves him. He is a natural evangelist that loves spending time with people, whether in a large crowd or one on one. He loves people. More importantly, he loves pointing people to Jesus. You will hear Dave say “you are the beloved of God because of Christ alone.” After listening to his testimony you discover that this truth is embedded into his life because he has experienced this at the deepest level and so desperately wants others to as well.
Dave is a phenomenal preacher, and its not just because he is gifted and sought after orator, which he is. I’ve been with Dave before he has spoken and seen the painstaking effort he gives to making sure he handles the text correctly and shepherds his people well. He handles the scriptures in a way that cuts deep to the heart and consistently displays the audacious grace of God. In each message I’ve heard from him I’ve felt more loved by God and a desire to follow Him closer. Men and women from other countries (students, immigrants and refugees) with no prior Christian worldview have found their way to the church and been transformed by the Gospel. God has used Dave’s preaching in powerful ways to reach many.
Why will he serve well in Phoenix?
As a young Korean American pastor, Dave’s is a necessary voice in the SBC.
Dave is new to the SBC. He chose to plant with us on theological grounds and because of our commitment to missions, just as I did over 15 years ago. He brings fresh insight to the SBC family that will help sharpen and challenge us.
He is committed to church multiplication. Within their five years of existence, Church of Beloved has planted four other churches. There are two additional plants in Chicago, one in Washington D.C., another in Seattle, and an international service with translation in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese.
Each week he speaks to his congregation representing over 35 nations. The prophetic message is one our convention needs to hear in order to respond to the ever-changing demographics of our cities and nation with the world at our doorsteps. You will be challenged and encouraged by our brother in Christ.
