PHILADELPHIA (BRN) – Ever since his college days at the University of California (UC) Berkeley, next gen ministry has been a reoccurring passion in the life of Pastor James Han.
During his days at UC Berkeley, Han came to Christ and through retreats and messages learned what it really means to have a relationship with God. Many of his days as an upperclassman were spent discipling the younger students and pointing them towards Jesus.
Following his graduation in 2014, Han joined the Acts 2 Network, the church network his college ministry at UC Berkeley was affiliated with, as a volunteer staff member.
“I was a software engineer by day, and college minister by night, hanging out and sharing the love of Christ to college students at UC Berkeley,” shared Han.
In 2024, God called Han to be a full-time missionary in Indonesia. There he served a one-year stint alongside a team from the Acts 2 Network, reaching college students in Indonesia with the hope of Jesus.
Upon his return to the U.S. in 2025, Han heard of an opportunity to lead an Acts 2 Network church in Philadelphia, which was planted to specifically reach college students. Following the Lord and his passion for reaching the next generation, Han and his family moved to Pennsylvania to lead Story College Church.
“I am passionate about reaching college students to change the world. College students are so moldable and excitable, and I think it is a trial period before they are off to the real working world with real lives. If we can capture them with the call of Christ, they will be changing the whole world wherever they go,” said Han.
Han also shared that he is especially passionate about evangelism as a method of discipleship.
“As we impart to college students that evangelism and discipleship are part of their calling as a Christian, it will have a network effect as they continue to share the Good News with their friends and family,” said Han.
In June 2025, Han officially started as the co-vocational college pastor at Story College Church. Along with pastoring, Han continues his work as a software engineer.
Han and his wife Mary have been married for eight years and have two children: Chloe, who is five-years-old, and Jordan, who turned three in November.
When he’s not hanging out with college students, Han enjoys the tasks of his day job and invests his spare time in finding ways that coding can improve his daily life and organizational skills.
How to Pray for Pastor James Han and his Family:
- Pray for Pastor Han as he leads Story College Church and for his family as they transition to this role and new setting of ministry.
- Pray for wisdom for Pastor Han and his family as they navigate different ministry situations and responsibilities.
- Pray for Story College Church’s ministry to University of Pennsylvania students. The church is not a registered group on the campus but still desires to reach the students there with the hope of Jesus.
- Pray for the students Story College Church is reaching in the Philadelphia region. Ask for students’ hearts to be softened to the Gospel and for the church to have opportunities to share the hope of Jesus!
