My qualitative research explores the experiences of Korean women ministers leading predominantly white congregations in North America. These women transition into white-dominant churches as a quest for freedom from the constraints of Korean churches, where women’s roles in ministry are limited. Their experiences resonate with Sang Hyun Lee’s concept of freedom in From a Liminal Place, where Asian American women feel liberated from patriarchal norms in their home countries.
While they find greater autonomy in North America, these ministers face challenges related to their racial, cultural, and immigrant status. They are often seen as “strangers,” and the language and cultural barriers complicate their sense of freedom. Despite these challenges, they use their cultural differences as a source of preaching authority, resisting colonial norms and offering a decolonial, justice-oriented theological vision. This research advocates for a new homiletical model that embraces the voices of marginalized preachers and enhances their ministries.