Rev. Dr. Sukja Bang was appointed to Ackermanville UMC on July 1, 2018.

 
      Pastor Sukja was born and raised in South Korea.  She earned her Bachelor of Theology degree at the Methodist Theological University.   Sukja came to America in 1992 to further her education at  Drew Theological School, earning a Master of Divinity degree. She then decided to continue her studies at the Graduate School of Religion and Religious Education at Fordham University in Bronx, New York.  In May 2021, she earned her Doctor of Ministry degree.  She has served several churches before being reappointed to her current church in July 2018.   

     Her vision for the church is to become a community that welcomes all people, regardless of gender, race, social status, and sexual orientation. She invites everyone to share Christ's love and participate in the Kingdom work that God has entrusted to us.

     In her free time, she loves reading, oil painting, cooking, decorating, listening to music, watching movies, and playing with her two cats, Toby and Abbey.

Rev. Dr. Sukja Bang retired from AUMC on June 14, 2026. 

                                              Good Bye Message

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Pastor Sukja today.  She has been a "beacon of light" for this congregation and a Pastor who truly cares for our membership. 

                     May God bless her on her next step in her life's journey. 

                                                    AUMC Congregation

Stephen Whitehead to Ackermanville UMC and

Cherry Valley UMC on July 5, 2026:

Stephen was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and moved to the US in 2019. He is married to Katlyn and they have one son, Sebastian. He studied Philosophy at the University of Dundee, where he was active in the Dundee University Christian Union’s campus evangelism efforts and served as a speaker and Community Links Co-Ordinator for the local Christians Against Poverty Debt Center. After preaching occasionally at the encouragement of a local Church of Scotland minister, he sensed God’s call to pastoral ministry during the Covid lockdowns. After graduating from Moravian Theological Seminary in May, he has served as pastor at Emmanuel UMC in Allentown since July 2025. He was commissioned as an Elder this past February through the Board of Ordained Ministry.

Stephen brings a heart for evangelism, thoughtful preaching, and faithful pastoral care that will bless both congregations. His relational leadership, commitment to visitation, and passion for discipleship will help strengthen shared ministry and deepen spiritual growth at Ackermanville UMC and Cherry Valley UMC.

Welcome Pastor Steve!