Boston Korea · February 19, 2026
From language student to major at forty-nine: a pastor’s life in America
Read the article at Boston Korea (in Korean)Jintaek Lee, 49, a chaplain serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, was promoted to major on 27 January.
Jintaek Lee
Senior Pastor · 2011 – present
Husband to one wife, father to four children.
The heart of his ministry
His calling is to build the kingdom of God into people's lives out of the abundant grace found in Jesus. Through preaching, Bible study, spiritual counselling and spiritual companionship, he serves so that the congregation becomes a family of God that holds and heals one another.
- Vision
- “A community where every generation meditates on the word of God in one language — Korean.”
- Last request
- “Scatter my dust in the garden of the Evergreen Church of Boston.”
Immigrant years
Fishmonger's assistant · Korean restaurants (server, host, bookkeeping) · Dry cleaner's counter · Schools (custodian, bookstore clerk, librarian) · Sushi chef, Japanese restaurant · Baker's assistant, Tous les Jours · Uber · U.S.P.S. Brookline, letter carrier
In the press
Journey of faith
- 2000
- Encountered the Holy Spirit during the Evergreen Church of Boston's New Year's Eve service
- 2000
- Became a member of the Evergreen Church of Boston
- 2005 – 2011
- Education minister at the Evergreen Church of Boston, serving young adults and youth
- 2011 – present
- Second senior pastor of the Evergreen Church of Boston
- 2012
- Ordained by the Korean American Presbyterian Church (KAPC)
- 2023 – present
- Providing spiritual care in emergency departments, hospice and similar settings
Education and service
- 1996
- Andong National University, Gyeongbuk. Korean Studies, Eastern Philosophy
- 1997 – 1999
- Republic of Korea Navy, completed service as a sergeant
- 2001 – 2005
- Gordon College, MA. Bachelor of Sociology & Social Work
- 2002
- Oregon Extension Program, Oregon
- 2003 – 2004
- Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University, England. Visiting student
- 2010 – 2014
- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, MA. Master of Divinity
- 2017 – 2019
- Boston College, MA. Post-Master's Certificate, Spiritual Formation
- 2019 – present
- U.S. Army Reserve Chaplain (Major)
- Military Intelligence Battalion Chaplain
- Field Hospital Chaplain
- 2019
- U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership Graduate School, SC. Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course
- 2021
- Chaplain Captain Career Course
- 2023
- Combat Medical Ministry Course
- 2023
- U.S. Army Master Resilience School, Master Resilience Trainer Course
- 2023 – 2024
- Pathway Healthcare, Westwood, MA. Hospice Chaplain (Per Diem)
- 2024 – 2025
- Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency, four units
- 2025
- San Antonio Marathon, TX
- 2024 – present
- Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C. Doctor of Ministry, Spirituality and Mental Health
- 2026
- Board Certified Chaplain certification