Where will the Lord lead you?

Rev. Patrick and Jennifer O'Neal serve the Lord as missionaries based in Seoul, South Korea beginning in August of 2006. Patrick has been called to work as Strategic Mission Developer - North Asia. Specifically, he is working closely with the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK) as they develop regional strategies for mission work in North Asia. Already a number of congregations in the LCK are involved in short-term mission trips and training evangelists. It is hoped that the LCMS and LCK can develop some joint mission projects and plans so that more people in North Asia might have their hearts set Ablaze! through hearing the Gospel.

The O'Neals served as missionaries in Kingston, Jamaica from 2004-2006. Prior to that, Patrick served as a parish pastor in Algona, Iowa. Patrick graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1999 and his undergraduate work was completed at the University of California, San Diego. Patrick grew up in Camarillo, Calif. His interests include woodworking, calligraphy, and photography.

Jennifer also attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, in the Masters in Arts and Religion program. She and Patrick met there and were married. Before attending the Seminary, Jennifer was the director of the LCMS Volunteer Youth Ministry (VYM) program in Taiwan. She spent 10 years in Taiwan and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Jennifer graduated from Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. She was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Jennifer enjoys tea, music/theater, letter writing, cooking, and spending time with friends.


The O'Neals are blessed with three children. John and Grace attend Seoul Foreign School and James is an at-home preschooler.

Rev. O'Neal was at my husband's congregation in Iowa. Who would have thought God would send him halfway around the world to share the Gospel?! I wonder where the Lord will lead you.

Please pray for Patrick, Jennifer, and their children as they adjust to the new culture and lifestyle in Korea. Pray for: effective language learning as they study Korean; the health and safety of the entire family; and good relationships with colleagues in the LCK so that fruitful partnerships and projects might be developed to reach the people of this region.