Leader Spotlight: Yong

I’m very excited to introduce a new series here at ArkYouth.org. In the coming days/weeks, we are updating our very outdated Staff page. While this page will provide a quick glance of who we are, it will also provide links to interviews of the leadership team conducted by Ark students!

These interviews will include questions that YOU want to know! Exciting stuff! To get us started, here’s the interview of yours truly….

[Interview by Noah Cho]

Name: Yong “Juan” Oh
Age: 31 years old
Weight: 150 lb
Height: 5’8”
Married?: Yes, to Rachel Oh
Child?: Sophia “Bi-won” Oh
Favorite food and drink: Bone-in rib eye cooked medium and water
Education: LA High, UCLA with a major in East Asian Studies
No grad school?: No, but if I could go now I would go to seminary and if I have time, go to business school

Hi Yong! Let’s start off with the most important question…what’s your position in the hierarchy of Ark leaders?
I am the “Director”

Wow, that sounds impressive. So what do you do Mr. Director?
I oversee the Friday and Sunday meetings and give the Friday sermon. I also develop small group curriculum and train and develop the staff

So do you enjoy Ark?
Yes. Being part of ark is a commitment though. It’s good to like it.

Great attitude. So who’s your favorite Ark student?
One that loves Jesus

Awesome. Now let’s go to some fun questions. What ticks you off the most in Ark and in the world?
If you’re disrespecting God, you better watch out. In general, I hate slow drivers.

So Yong, how’d you meet your wife?
I met her at a UCLA small group meeting. I had no feelings for her at the time though.

Oh well, too bad. Next question. So what’s your favorite sport?
Well, I enjoy watching basketball, especially the Lakers. As for football, I enjoy watching UCLA. To play, however, my favorite sport would have to be volleyball

Awesome. What’s your favorite movie Yong?
Braveheart because the story is incredible. It’s about a man who believed in what is right and let nothing stop him. I also like Matrix because of the effects and because Neo struggles. He is a hero but has human emotions

What’s your favorite movie quote?
“Water is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty…merman!…Merman!” - Derek Zoolander, “Zoolander”

So Yong, are you a registered Democrat or Republican
Neither, I don’t’ believe in party lines.

That’s what I’m talking about!!! Still, who are you going to vote f-
I don’t want to answer

…okay then! So Yong, what’s your favorite Christian band and non-Christian band?
David Crowder because he’s not ashamed to try different styles and U2 because they’re just cool.

Good, good. So do you have a favorite instrument?
The guitar.

Not the piano, but that’s good. Why?
Because you can sing and play at the same time. Also, it’s portable

Awesome. Then what’s your least favorite instrument
The bassoon.

That seems to be a common answer…poor bassoon players
What’s your favorite weather, sir?
Cloudy, gloomy, and chilly with a slight breeze

You poor, sad soul….oh, so do you have a favorite superhero?
Havoc.

Scuse me?
Havoc from the X-Men. He’s incredibly cool, but no one pays attention to him.

Oh my…do you identify with him?
No, but-

That’s so sad…
So Yong, what’s your ideal day off?
To go to the park with my daughter and take pictures.

Oooh that’s right, you love photography. Why?
I enjoy capturing moments in life.

So if you could have another child, would you?
Yes.

Would you be satisfied with a son?
I would, I would name him Micah.

Not Noah Cho? What a shame
Noah, I think you forgot to ask me why I decided to get into youth ministry.

Hmm did I? I’m pretty sure I…okay just kidding
Well, I’ve always liked youth. It all started though when I went to my youth group as a teenager. It wasn’t really being in the youth group, but when I left it I realized I needed to make a difference in the youth. I saw many of my youth group friends stop going to church and becoming far from God. I then said to myself “If I had the opportunity, I would teach youth what it means to be Christian.”

…that’s deep. Let’s end with that. Thanks Yong!
You’re welcome, Noah