New Northern Asia-Pacific Division President Takes Office

Kim SunHwan, the new president of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), called for prayer and reliance on God in his morning message on November 5, the opening day of the 2026 Annual Council at the division headquarters.

“Prayer must come before confidence in human plans. Reliance on God must come before reliance on ourselves,” Kim said. He also emphasized the Holy Spirit’s role in carrying out the division’s mission. “We need the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the only source of power through which God’s mission can ultimately be accomplished.”

In place of a separate inauguration ceremony, the division set aside time that day to explain the outgoing president’s resignation and the election of his successor, and to offer a prayer of dedication for Kim and his wife.

Karen Porter, associate secretary of the General Conference, outlined the leadership transition and welcomed Kim to his new role. She said the outgoing president had informed General Conference president Erton Köhler of his intention to resign ahead of the General Conference Annual Council, and that the General Conference Executive Committee had accepted his resignation.

Porter said the NSD Executive Committee was convened during the General Conference Annual Council because a prolonged vacancy could create uncertainty and instability for mission work across the division. She described the process as fair and transparent. The NSD Executive Committee recommended Kim to the General Conference, whose Executive Committee then voted to elect him.

“The process moved quickly because stability in the division’s leadership was important,” Porter said. “Throughout the process the priority was to act with integrity and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”

In her remarks welcoming Kim, Porter urged the NSD Executive Committee members to remain united and to pray. “The church’s mission is greater than any one person, any one office, or any difficult situation,” she said.

“You do not carry this responsibility alone,” Porter told Kim, assuring him of the worldwide church’s prayers and support. She said she prayed that God would grant him wisdom, courage, and humility, and that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide the new leadership and the entire division.

Those in attendance stood as former NSD president Lee JaeRyong offered a prayer of dedication for Kim and his wife. Lee asked God to help Kim rely on the Lord and His Word and to grant him wisdom and discernment as he made plans and decisions for the division’s work.

Lee also prayed for Kim’s family, the division’s officers and staff, and the members of its executive committee, asking God to help them work together to carry out the church’s mission across the division.

The original version of this story was posted on the Northern Asia-Pacific Division news site.