Distinguished Alums 2003

February 24, 2003

Duk Kyu Kwon

Duk Kyu Kwon, recipient of the Distinguished Alum Award came to the United States in 1979 in order to further his theological education. Originally from South Korea, he obtained a Bachelor of Theology from Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, and a Master of Theology from the United Graduate School, Yonsei University, also in Seoul. Since graduating from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 1983, he has served two cross-cultural/cross-racial local churches in the Northern Illinois Conference of The U.M.C, First United Methodist Church of Barrington, Illinois, and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Carol Stream, Illinois. Kwon’s passion for new church growth and development has served his congregations and his conference well. After serving seven years as the district superintendent of the Elgin District of the Northern Illinois Conference, since 2000, Kwon has been serving as mission superintendent of the North Central Jurisdiction Korean Mission of the United Methodist Church. A candidate for Episcopacy in the North Central Jurisdiction in 2000, his candidacy was endorsed by, among others, the National Federation of Asian American United Methodists and the National Association of Korean United Methodist Churches.

Kwon has served a number of leadership positions in the local, jurisdictional, and general church over the years. Three times elected as a delegate to the General and Jurisdictional Conference, he has served as president of the Northern Illinois Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, chair of the N.I.C. Personnel Committee of the Council on Ministries, member of the North Central Jurisdiction Board of Ordained Ministry, member of the North Central Jurisdiction Court of Appeals, secretary of the GBGM National Committee on Korean American Ministries, and is a 20-year member of the ChildServ board of directors.

E. Carver McGriff

E. Carver McGriff, recipient of the Distinguished Alum Award, graduated from Garrett Theological Seminary in 1962, receiving his Master of Divinity degree “With Distinction.” McGriff also received The Kidder prize at Garrett, awarded to the best student preacher in the graduating class. A decorated WWII veteran, he returned to Indiana to earn a degree in business administration from Butler University. In 1959, after 10 years in the business sector, he entered Garrett Theological Seminary. Subsequently he served five years in an Indianapolis suburban church. He earned an MS at Christian Theological Seminary in 1965 and was recognized by that seminary in 1993 with their Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1970 he received a Doctor of Divinity from Indiana Central University.

He became senior pastor at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, in 1967. During his 26 years, the congregation grew dramatically. St. Luke’s members particularly note McGriff’s preaching, leadership skills, and warm personal style as they reflect on his 26 years as senior pastor. St. Luke’s Singles Ministry and St. Luke’s Deaf Ministry continue to be part of his ministerial legacy.

McGriff retired in 1993, or rather, changed careers, becoming an author with eight books to his credit. His most recent book is “Amazing Grace – The Story of Over 200 Years of Indiana Methodism.” McGriff recently co-authored a book with Kent Millard entitled The Passion Driven Congregation, which is being used as the text for a national conference on growing churches to be held at St. Luke’s in May. In addition to his writings, McGriff recently served as interim pastor at Zionsville United Methodist Church, a growing suburban church in the northwestern Indianapolis area. He continues to be active through writing, teaching, and leading study groups.