Meet the Team
We're more than a staff — we're neighbors, friends, and fellow travelers on this journey of faith in the heart of NYC.
Rev. Dr. Sam D. Kim
Pastor of Preaching & Vision · Co-Founder
Rev. Dr. Sam D. Kim is a Harvard-trained ethicist and the co-founder of 180 Church in downtown Manhattan. He was appointed as a research fellow in Global Health and Social Medicine at the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School and part of Harvard Catalyst, where he researched inequities related to health, immigration, and social policies. Dr. Kim also holds the Lifelong Learning Fellowship at Yale Divinity School and Yale School of Medicine. An initiative awarded by the John Templeton Foundation and the AAAS aims to bridge the gap between faith and science. His work has been cited by Harvard, Publishers Weekly, and the Washington Post. His debut book, A Holy Haunting, was the first inaugural grand prize winner in the Spirituality category to win Publishers Weekly's BookLife Prize.
Pastor Lydia Kim
Pastor of Worship · Co-Founder
Lydia is Co-Founder of 180 Church and serves as Pastor of Worship. Known to most as “Plyd,” she is passionate about building a faith community where life change is ongoing. She believes the gospel not only saves us but also sustains us. Lydia oversees and mentors small group leaders, worship teams, and intercessory ministries. She holds a degree in Music and Ministry from Alliance University and completed the Arrow Leadership program for gifted emerging leaders in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 2013.
Sarah Bennett
Spiritual Life Advisor · 180 Fellowship at NYU
Senior project coordinator at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Holds a Master's in neuroscience and education from Columbia University. Sarah brings her whole self to everything she does at 180 — from leading worship to walking with people through the hard stuff.
Stewart Still
Preaching Team · Technical Operations
Stewart Still is a Major in New York City's court system and is part of the preaching team, regularly teaching the Word of God. He earned his Master's degree in Practical Theology from Regent University. Stu helps lead the technical operations for weekend services, from setup to breakdown, serving to make much of Jesus in worship. He also facilitates a small group for young professionals and families.
Paul Lee
Preaching Team · Technical Operations Lead
Paul Lee is an organizational psychologist who consults for a London-based firm in Manhattan. He earned his Master of Arts in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College, where he met Grace, and his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Paul is part of the preaching team and regularly teaches the Word of God to the 180 Church community. He also oversees technical operations and previously served as an InterVarsity campus minister at Columbia Business School.
Grace Lee
Sunday School Leader · Curriculum Developer
Grace Lee is a speech pathologist at NYU Langone. She earned her Master's degree from Columbia University Teachers College, where she met Paul. Grace leads 180 Church's Sunday School program and develops Christ-centered children's curriculum to support the spiritual growth of the church's youngest members.
We'd love to meet you in person.
Whether you have questions about faith or just want to say hi — our doors are always open. Join us this Sunday at 12:00 PM.
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