ABOUT US
To develop spirit-filled, competent, powerful, and transforming ambassadors to change the nation and the world for Christ.
RAISING UP FUTURE LEADERS STARTS TODAY
THE STORY OF HONI AND THE CAROB TREE
One day, Honi the Circle Maker was walking on the road and saw a man planting a carob tree.
Honi asked the man,
“How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?
The man replied,
“Seventy years.”
Honi then asked the man,
“And do you think you will live another seventy years and eat the fruit of this tree?”
The man answered,
“Perhaps not. However, when I was born into this world, I found many carob trees planted by my father and grandfather. Just as they planted trees for me, I am planting trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees.”
WE NEED YOUR PARTNERSHIP
Student activism. Vietnam War. Sexual revolution. Hippie movement. This was the 1960’s in America. The core leaders of that generation launched a war on mainstream Judeo-Christian culture.
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Their efforts, known as the counterculture movement, shifted American society radically away from its Biblical roots.
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Today those young men and women of the counterculture generation are in positions of power and influence in government, education, media, business, arts, and entertainment, affecting not just America but the nations of the world.
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There is a great need for godly leaders to be at the forefront of the major forces that are shaping our world. Taking back our culture will not happen overnight. But we need to start now in training leaders who will take over these major forces for God’s Kingdom. This is GLDI’s goal. And this is why we need your support.
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GLDI strives to invest in the younger generation who will one day become future leaders, influencing major forces of the world and reconciling this world with God’s Kingdom and His redeeming plan.
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Would you be a carob planter–sowing into our future for God’s Kingdom and glory?
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If you would like to obtain more information, please contact us at 903.804.4016 or email us at info@jamagldi.org.
FOUNDERS
THE LATE JOHN C. KIM, PH.D.
Founder
In Loving Memory of Dr. John C. Kim (1939-2025)
Dr. John C. Kim was the visionary founder of the Jesus Awakening Movement for America (JAMA) and the Global Leadership Development Institute (GLDI). He served as Professor Emeritus of International Business and Management at California State University, Monterey Bay, and previously as a Distinguished Professor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, where he received the university’s highest honor—the Edith R. Bullock Prize for Excellence.
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Over his distinguished academic career spanning four decades, Dr. Kim taught at numerous institutions, including Pepperdine University, and served as a Special Assistant to the governors of Alaska. Beyond the classroom, he was a passionate speaker who inspired hundreds of thousands of young people in the U.S. and around the world. His life’s mission was to call Christians to pray for spiritual awakening and healing in America and to raise up a new generation of Christ-centered leaders.
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Dr. Kim was called home to the Lord on March 10, 2025. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sarah, the love of his life, their two children, Sharon (married to Edward) and Paul (married to Jenny), and their five cherished grandchildren: Mark, Grace, Noelle, Lucy, and John. His legacy of faith, leadership, and love continues to impact countless lives.
MS. MIMI SONG
Co-Founder
Ms. Mimi Song is the Founder of Mimi Song Realty Group, Inc. (“MSRG”), a commercial real estate brokerage company in Ontario, CA. MSRG was a franchise of Sperry Van Ness, one of the largest real estate brokerage firms in the U.S. She has made her mark in real estate by becoming a valued resource and consultant for regional developers, publically and privately held residential construction companies, land developers, and investment firms. Her excellence in providing opportunities to developers has made her #1 in the Sperry Van Ness nationwide network for four consecutive years. She was appointed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the State of CA’s Commission on Asian and Pacific Islanders American Affairs (www.caapicommission.org).She has also served on the board of the California Museum (See www.CaliforniaMuseum.org). Ms. Song is a sponsor of Reprogramming Foundation, an organization responsible for building two agricultural schools in Sakhalin Island and Vladivostok in the Russian Federation. These programs help facilitate the Korean Diaspora of juveniles within the region to understand their ancestry and heritage. She recently received an honorary doctorate degree from Asia Life University in Korea for her service to the community. As co-founder of the Global Leadership Development Institute, she works with Dr. John C. Kim to develop future leaders. Ms. Song also serves as a Vice Chairwoman for Global Korean Network Foundation, is a board member of Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation (www.kchfa.org), and is one of the Board of Directors of Overseas Korean Traders Association Southern California (“OKTA S.C.”).
DR. BENJAMIN
Co-Founder
Dr. Benjamin C. Shin is a co-founder of Global Leadership Development Institute (GLDI) and an Associate Professor of Bible Exposition at Talbot School of Theology. He has served in the ministry as a pastor, parachurch leader, and professor for the last 20 years. He is a graduate of UCLA, Talbot School of Theology, and Dallas Theological Seminary. His vision and passion includes mentoring leaders, rebuilding churches, and teaching the Word of God. His interests include Asian ministry and theology and helping the Church have impact in the world. He is married to his wonderful bride, Jen, and has two sons, Adam and Zachary.
DIRECTORS
WE BELIEVE...
PASTOR JAY MORGAN
Jay is a devoted husband to his wife Cindy and proud father of two children, Josiah and Winston. Jay attended GLDI in 2010 and was deeply moved, transforming his outlook and ministry. With over 15 years of experience in pastoral ministry, Jay has developed a passion for prayer and growing people into who they are called to be in Christ. With most of his ministry in Seattle, Jay and his family moved to Forney, where he is now the Executive Director of Ministries at JAMA Global.
PASTOR HOPE GUAN LEE
Hope is a co-pastor at New Gate Church, which was established as an independent church plant in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, in 2020. She graduated from the University of Denver in 2009 with a business degree and from Denver Seminary in 2014 with her Master of Divinity, and was ordained in the CRC in 2017. Outside of the normal demands of ministry, she can be found being a mom to her two children, Zion & Sophie, or hanging out with her husband or exploring new restaurants in CO.
PAUL EDWARD KIM, ESQ.
Paul Edward Kim is Senior Counsel in the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Washington, D.C., where his work centers on investigating and litigating violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of the federal government. He and his wife, Jenny, have two beautiful daughters, Noelle and Lucy, and one son, John.
GLDI DOCTRINAL STATEMENT
We believe:
in the Scripture of the Old and New Testaments as inspired Word of God, and inherent in the original writings and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
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in one God, eternally existing in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary and is true God and true man.
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man was created in the image of God; male and female He created them; that man have sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
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that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture, as representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and all that believe in him are justified by faith on the grounds of his shed blood.
in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate.
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that the Lord Jesus Christ presently rules as Head of the Church.
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in the blessed hope of the Second Coming of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, as promised in the Scripture.
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that all who receive by faith Jesus Christ as Lord are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby becoming children of God.
in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
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church is established by Jesus Christ in order to preserve God’s goodness, to carry out Christ’s work, and to promote God’s Kingdom here on earth; therefore, all ministries should be church-centered or supplementary to the ministries of the church.