It all started…
Soo’s passion for underprivileged and orphan children began when she went on a mission trip to Haiti in 1989. The passion continued after her marriage to Thomas in 1991, as they discipled and challenged many young people and young adults to live lives worthy of Christ’s calling. Their journey continued when their children started attending Peoria Christian School (PCS). From 2005 to 2017, Soo, Thomas, Julie, and their friends led yearly short-term mission trips to the Amerasian Christian Academy (ACA) in DongDuCheon, South Korea. Soo has committed her life to providing opportunities for orphans and underprivileged children beyond short-term missions, and has begun opening her home to those less fortunate. On one occasion, Soo & Thomas welcomed a teenager (Hope) from ACA into their home, who became part of their family and attended the same Christian school as their children. She eventually completed her nursing degree from a Christian College. Another young lady that Thomas & Soo welcomed into her home went on to complete her PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy) before returning to Korea.
Before committing to full-time ministry, Soo co-founded NDU Education LLC (educational consulting firm) with her husband Thomas, which she led for over 18 years. Soo was a critical component to building a successful brand focused on providing comprehensive educational services to both international and domestic students, all while operating and overseeing international student departments of various private Christian schools. She is an entrepreneur and innovator who constantly explores how God will use her to provide hope and love to those who are underprivileged.
Soo and her husband of 35 years have two adult children of their own, Christian, Faith & one grandson. Christian & his wife, Amy, are expecting their second child. As a family, they believe in “service before self” as their core value. Soo and her husband are both passionate about serving God through extreme obedience and hope to make an impact on God’s Kingdom as they focus on the final chapter of their careers.
Sisters in Christ, Faith & Hope
Soo & her family (from L to R: Christian (son), Amy (daughter-in-law), Soo, Thomas (husband), Faith (daughter)
Faith N Hope International Ministry exist to ensure orphans have the same opportunities we often take for granted (i.e., a place they can call home, education, and equal opportunity).
Mother Teresa:
At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.
The Word…
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
— James 1:27
Guiding Principles:
INTEGRITY and core principles are grounded in our commitment to allocating gifts/supports to improve the lives of the children we serve.
Serve as a catalyst to improve the educational, vocational, and support system for children.
Elevate the quality of life, support, and vocational training with a specific aim toward creating a pathway for success for children aging out of the system.
What We Believe/Statement of Faith:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God, revealing the love of God to the world.
We believe that there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, one Person in two natures, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father as our High Priest and Advocate.
We believe that all human beings everywhere are lost and face the judgment of God, that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation, and that for the salvation of lost and sinful, repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ result in regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ, convicts the world of its guilt, regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. We believe the Holy Spirit also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips, and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that all true believers are members of His body, the church.
We believe that the ministry of evangelism and proclaiming the message of salvation is possible by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and we believe that we are called to discipleship so that followers of Christ mature in Christ.
Our foundational scripture passage is “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27 NLT)