Our First International Partner
When we launched Read the Puritans a short time ago, our goal was that the Lord might use this ministry to connect the riches of Puritan literature with Christians around the world. What we did not expect was how quickly He would begin opening doors. Today, we are well underway with our very first translation project - a Korean edition of Heaven Taken by Storm by Thomas Watson. God has graciously provided us with an amazing international partner for this project, Pastor Michael Park, who is the senior pastor of The Master’s Church in Seoul, South Korea. One of our founders was able to connect with him on a recent trip to Korea and it became evident that we shared a common commitment to biblical truth, sound doctrine, and a love for the Puritans. Translation projects are more than simply converting words from one language into another. They require trusted local partners who understand the language while sharing a like-minded faith. For that reason, we believe Pastor Park’s involvement is one of the most important factors to the success of this project. We are excited to introduce him to the Read the Puritans community and give you an opportunity to learn more about the pastor, church, and partnership behind this historic first project.
Pastor Michael Park and his Family
A Conversation with Pastor Park
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
“The Lord graciously brought my family and me to California, where I had the privilege of studying at The Master’s Seminary from 2017 to 2021 and completing my M.Div. In 2022, my wife and I returned to South Korea with a growing burden to serve Christ in our homeland. By God's grace, we spent the next three years serving in a local church, learning, growing, and seeking the Lord’s direction for the future. In June of 2025, under God’s gracious leading, we began gathering with a small group of like-minded believers to prepare for a church plant. We have a shared desire to see Christ honored through the faithful preaching of His Word and the discipleship of His people.
By God’s grace, I was ordained to pastoral ministry in the United States this past May, and now we are preparing for the inaugural service of The Master’s Church on June 21st. We are humbled and excited to see what the Lord will do as He continues to build His church for His glory.”
Q: How did you first discover the Puritans?
“Although I often heard Puritan quotations and stories referenced in sermons, my first meaningful exposure to the Puritans came during my time at seminary. In my very first semester, one of my preaching professors recommended Thomas Watson as an accessible introduction to Puritan literature and specifically suggested “A Body of Divinity.” I remember immediately purchasing a copy online and beginning to read it. That book opened a door into a rich spiritual heritage that has continued to shape my life and ministry ever since.”
Q: What is your favorite Puritan book?
“During my seminary days and my four years at Grace Community Church in California, I had the privilege of studying John Owen’s writings with our fellowship group pastors and other leaders. Among all the books we read together, Owen’s “The Glory of Christ” remains one of the most unforgettable. The truths drawn from Owen’s seemingly inexhaustible well of biblical reflection gave me a far richer and more multifaceted vision of the glory of Jesus Christ.
What made the book especially precious was not merely reading it but studying it together with brothers in Christ and sharing in the joy of beholding our Savior’s glory. Even today, whenever my soul feels spiritually dry or my heart longs for a fresh vision of Christ, it is one of the books to which I continue to return.”
Q: What Puritan has impacted you the most?
“More than any particular individual, I have been profoundly influenced by the Puritans’ depth of meditation upon the truth of God. Can you imagine Stephen Charnock writing over 150 pages on the goodness of God? Or William Gurnall filling hundreds of pages expounding the armor of God in Ephesians 6? The Puritans refused to skim the surface of divine truth. Their careful study, profound reflection, and earnest meditation have challenged me to not approach Scripture superficially, but to linger over its truths and seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit who so powerfully works in them.
What has impressed me most is that their theology never remained merely intellectual. Their deep understanding of truth consistently led to deep personal application. For that reason, the Lord continues to use the writings of the Puritans as faithful teachers in my own ongoing process of sanctification.”
Q: Why do you believe Christians should read the Puritans?
“Hebrews 5:14 says, “solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil."
The Puritans possess a remarkable ability to penetrate deeply into the truths of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, explaining and applying them with clarity and precision. Through their writings, believers can grow in their understanding of the depth, breadth, and richness of God’s truth.
At the same time, the Puritans model what it looks like to apply biblical truth diligently and consistently to everyday life. As Christians follow their example, they grow in Christlikeness and develop the spiritual discernment described in Hebrews 5:14. In that sense, the Puritans serve as faithful guides, spiritual mentors, and examples worthy of our imitation.”
Q: What excites you most about translating the Puritans into Korean?
“First, I am deeply grateful for the ministry of Read the Puritans and its commitment to translating Puritan literature into Korean. For many years, I have longed to see more of these precious treasures introduced to Korean churches. Meeting the leadership of Read the Puritans has been a wonderful answer to prayer.
Although our church is still very small, we hope to partner together in helping distribute more Puritan literature throughout Korea. I am especially excited for the members of The Master’s Church, as they begin to encounter these rich writings and learn to cherish the biblical truths that the Puritans loved, meditated upon, and sought to live out with all their hearts.
My prayer is that through these works, our people will grow in their love for God’s Word, enjoy deeper fellowship with Him, and be further conformed to the image of Christ through the process of sanctification. Once again, I am sincerely thankful for this project and the opportunity to participate in it.”
Q: How can the Puritan Fellowship be praying for you and The Master’s Church?
“The Master’s Church is a church plant, just beginning its journey. Yet we firmly believe that Christ Himself is the Head of the church and the One who builds His church. Please pray that God would use our church to shine the light of the gospel brightly in Korea once again, and that He would use the truth of His Word to conform many believers into the image of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Please also pray for the unity of our church family. May our members be united in love, committed to one another, and together devoted to displaying the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On a personal level, please pray that I would remain a faithful servant of Christ, loving my wife and children, as well as the souls entrusted to my care, with wholehearted devotion and Christlike love.”
We hope that after learning more about Pastor Park, you share our excitement for this project and the opportunities it represents. We are already looking forward to many years of partnership with Pastor Park and the Master’s Church in Korea. We hope to be a tremendous blessing to their congregation and to Koreans worldwide as we work to get more Puritan literature translated into their language. At Read the Puritans, we believe that access to edifying Christian literature should not be limited by geography or language. This is our first step in that direction. Please join us in praying for Pastor Park and his family, for the Master’s Church who will be holding their ordination and installation services on June 20th and 21st, and for the Lord’s blessing on this project.