Oxford United Methodist Church has welcomed Rev. Arun Kumar Paul, its new pastor, and his family to the Oxford community.

Rev. Paul was appointed OUMC Senior Pastor this summer and recently joined the congregation along with his wife, YoungJoo Shim. and daughters, Hijee (10) and Hesseo (4).

Rev. Paul, a native of India, has impressive credentials that include ministry work in three countries and an inspiring personal story.

He served as a Bible teacher and leader for the School of Biblical Studies in Northern India with YWAM (Youth with a Mission), an International Para church organization. He pioneered a ministry among the Indian diaspora in South Korea and pastored an Indian congregation in Seoul, South Korea, from 2005-08. His global presence also included hosting a weekly Internet worship service for his Indian congregation in South Korea from 2009-12.

Rev. Paul has been in the U.S. since 2008, working toward a Ph.D. in intercultural studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He has a master of divinity degree and a bachelor of arts in political science and economics.

More recently he has served in a variety of ministry roles. Since 2010, he contributed his gifts and talent at Cincinnati’s Korean Madisonville United Methodist Church through giving leadership to the youth and English ministries. He also volunteered to shepherd the Bhutanese Nepalese refugees in Lexington, Ky., by leading small worship meetings in their homes.

He has a passion for sharing God’s Word, discipleship, and caring for the community.

“We are getting a wonderful package deal,” said Bob Harp, chair of the OUMC Staff Parish Relations Committee. “Rev. Paul’s wife, a native South Korean, is a missionary herself and will be very active in the life of our church. Their two daughters are positively vibrant, and the entire family is a delight. They humbled us with their profound faith and won us over with their genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity to serve our congregation. Our congregation is excited for the journey ahead.”

Oxford United Methodist Church is located at 14 North Poplar St. in Uptown Oxford and offers two Sunday services. The informal, traditional 8:30 a.m. service takes place in the church Fellowship Hall on the ground floor of the Sanctuary building and offers a relaxed, casual atmosphere. The traditional service begins at 10 a.m. in the historic Sanctuary on the church’s second level.

Nursery care is provided during both services, and Sunday School is offered for ages pre-school through 12th grade during the 10 a.m. service time.

The Oxford community is invited to join the congregation this and every Sunday to meet Rev. Paul and his family. His upcoming sermon series are on the book of Ephesians, Book of Jonah, on the life of David — “A Man after God’s Own Heart” and “God’s Mission Team.”