Small GroupMinistry Center
Empowering pastors and small group leaders to build thriving congregations through transformational training, research, and community support.
Leaders Trained
Partner Churches
Training Events
News & Media
Stay updated with the latest news, interviews, and media coverage.
Video Resources
News Articles
Mission & Vision
The WMU Small Group Ministry Center's mission is to 'revitalize small groups in local churches to activate church vitality.' By faithfully carrying out this mission, our vision is that small groups in Korean churches scattered across the United States and around the world will be newly revitalized, and through this, church communities will grow more healthy and dynamically.
World Mission University has established the Small Group Ministry Center to support small group ministry in local churches. Director: Prof. Shin Seonmook, with Prof. Kim Kyoungjun (Counseling), Prof. Yoon Jaebyung (Coaching), and Coordinator Park Sorin.
World Mission University
School of Theology • Los Angeles, CA
Core Values
Missional Church
We engage deeply with God's mission and purpose revealed in Scripture, participating in His work in the world rather than focusing solely on institutional metrics.
Incarnational Ministry
Following Christ's incarnation, we reject dualism and seek God's kingdom in both spiritual and physical realms, embracing holistic ministry in the present world.
Small Group Ministry for Church Vitality
Small groups are vital communities where believers gather in their daily contexts to pray, share life, and build one another up—functioning as small churches in the world.
Church Leaders & Small Group Ministers
We recognize the critical importance of small group leaders—both clergy and lay. Churches must support them to stand healthy in God's grace, not merely as ministry tools.
Active Response to the Digital Age
We actively embrace digitalization, integrating analog and digital, online and offline approaches for maximally effective ministry in today's context.
Training Workshops & Programs
Comprehensive training designed to equip small group leaders with practical skills, spiritual formation practices, and leadership competencies.
Annual Conference
The center's annual conference brings together pastors, small group ministers, and lay leaders to share research outcomes and explore the future of small group ministry.
Workshops
Three key workshops throughout the year: small group ministry and mental health, grace-based small group coaching, and small group leadership development training for pastors and lay leaders.
Support Local Church Training Programs
Customized commissioned training programs for local churches to effectively organize and train small group ministers with practical ministry skills and leadership development.
Academic Research and Publication
Ongoing research on small group ministry in the post-COVID era, with annual publications by expert scholars to help congregations thrive.
Retreat
Intensive spiritual formation and ministry development experiences in retreat settings for deep reflection and growth.
Mentor Groups
For graduates of our programs, mentor groups support the development and implementation of diverse small group topics within local churches.
Pastoral Workshop
A workshop exclusively for churches receiving grants from the Small Group Ministry Center. Covers small group ministry philosophy, policy, training, and change strategy.
Mini Grant for Local Church Small Group Ministries
Financial support and resources to help local churches launch or strengthen their small group ministry programs.
Leadership & Faculty
Our team combines academic excellence with practical ministry experience to provide transformational training for small group leaders.
Dr. Seonmook Shin
Vice President of Planning, WMU
Dr. Kyoungjun Kim
Director of DMin Program in Counseling
Dr. Jaebyung Yoon
Adjunct Professor of Coaching, WMU; Professional Coach (KSC · PCC)
Seoyeong Kim
Librarian, Director of Institutional Research
Sorin Park
Associate Director of I.T.
In Partnership With
Join Us at Our Events
Connect with fellow leaders, learn from experts, and grow in your ministry through our conferences, workshops, and retreats.
Instructor: Dr. Yoon Jaebyung (Adjunct Professor of Coaching, World Mission University; Professional Coach, KSC · PCC; DMin GM & DGL (ABD), Fuller Theological Seminary). Teaching leaders to practice grace-centered coaching and support members' growth and spiritual maturity.
Instructor: Rev. Sanghwa Lee. Week 1: Developing Small Group Ministry Philosophy & Goals. Week 2: Core Competencies for Small Group Leaders. Week 3: Guidelines for Running Small Group Meetings. Week 4: Selecting and Preparing Small Group Curriculum.
Organized by: WMU Small Group Ministry Center
Introduction to the Small Group Ministry Center and project overview. Each church presents their vision and current status of small group ministry. Attendees: 2 per church (senior pastor and small group ministry leader). Note: Attendance of both is required for this first meeting to demonstrate the senior pastor's vision and commitment.
Organized by: WMU Small Group Ministry Center
Featuring presentations by Dr. Yongkeun Ji (Ministry Data Research Institute) and Rev. Sanghwa Lee (Korea Small Group Ministry Research Institute) on the future direction of small group ministry.
Organized by: WMU Small Group Ministry Center, Storyon Coaching Center
Pre-registration required. Attend this seminar to learn about the Small Group Ministry Development Support Grant and apply. First seminar on March 23 features Pastor Lee Soo-ho from Olympic Presbyterian Church and Pastor Kyoungjae You from Korean Church of North Los Angeles, with grant application guidance by Director Shin Seonmook from the Small Group Ministry Center. Application form will be provided.
Organized by: WMU Small Group Ministry Center, Christian Daily
Dallas Regional Church Ministry Seminar: Faith Community Centered on Spirituality and Care in the AI Era
Morning sessions: Dr. Lim Sungjin on changing immigrant churches and how preaching should change, Prof. Nam Jongsung on spiritual training in the AI era, Prof. Shin Seonmook on post-pandemic small group revival. Afternoon sessions: Prof. Choi Yoonjung on family worship, Prof. Kim Kyoungjun on mental health crisis, Prof. Yoon Imsang on core values of church music in the AI era. Free admission. Open to pastors, evangelists, pastors' wives, lay leaders, and seminary students.
Organized by: World Mission University, Christian Daily
Ministry Resources & Research
Access research papers, training materials, and resources developed by the Small Group Ministry Center to support your ministry.
Research Papers
Scholarly publications on small group ministry, mental health, and coaching in church contexts.
- Understanding Church and Social Changes After the Pandemic and the Direction Small Group Ministry Should Take
- Direction and Practice of Small Group Ministry for Healthy Church Growth - Rev. Lee Sanghwa
- The Role of the Korean Church in Responding to the Mental Health Crisis - Kyongjun Kim
- Grace-Based Small Group Coaching Model - Dr. Jaebyung Yoon
Newsletter
Monthly columns on small group ministry topics, book reviews, and center updates.
Video Resources
Recorded lectures, workshop sessions, and conference presentations.
- Small Group and Mental Health Lecture 2
- Small Group and Mental Health Lecture 1 - 2026 Partial Lecture
- Small Group and Mental Health 2025 Lecture - Prof. Kyoungjun Kim
- Rev. Lee Sanghwa - Small Group Ministry Pastor Workshop 1
- Rev. Lee Sanghwa - Small Group Ministry Pastor Workshop 2
- Rev. Lee Sanghwa - Small Group Ministry Pastor Workshop 3
- Rev. Lee Sanghwa - Small Group Ministry Pastor Workshop 4
- 2026 Small Group Ministry Support Program Orientation - 15 Churches
- 2026 Small Group Ministry Seminary Rev. You Kyoungjae
- 2026 Small Group Ministry Seminary Rev. Lee Sooho
- 2026 Annual Conference
- 2026 Gospel Broadcasting Interview 1
- 2026 Gospel Broadcasting Interview 2
- 2026 Gospel Broadcasting Interview 3
- 2025 Gospel Broadcasting Interview
- Small Group Ministry Video
- Small Group and Mental Health Workshop
- Small Group and Coaching
- Mental health in local church
- Coaching ministry in local church
- Gracedriven coaching
- Mental health in Korean church
- Discipleship, spirituality and meditation
- Personality, giftedness and strength
- Mental Health Care in Small Group Ministry
- Grace-Driven Coaching Demonstrations
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Get in Touch
We'd love to hear from you. Whether you're interested in our programs, want to partner with us, or have questions about small group ministry, reach out to us.
Address
World Mission University
500 Shatto Place, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90020
Phone
213-388-1000
sgmc@wmu.edu
