A leader of the Arumdaun Presbyterian Church in Bethpage was honored by the Oyster Bay Town Board for his spiritual leadership to the community.
Pastor Samuel An has served as the English Ministry pastor of the church, which has a predominantly Korean-American congregation. His honoring came as the town promoted Korean American Day, which fell one day after the Monday, Jan. 12, board meeting.
“Pastor Sam has distinguished himself for his caring, hard work and spiritual leadership,” Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “His love of the Lord, compassion and experience have been an essential part of his ministry and emphasize many of his parishioners as they face demands and challenges in their lives.”
Saladino said his father had fought in the Korean War during the 1950s and he had told him stories about what Korean culture, values and ways of life were like.
“In today’s uncertain world, Pastor Sam’s messages serve as a beacon of faith and community,” Saladino said.
“It’s a privilege to be able to serve and to be able to build a community alongside you here,” An said to the town board after receiving a citation.
Korean American Day is a federally recognized day that celebrates the first arrival of Koreans to the United States in 1903 and the culture of Korean Americans.
An said the first Korean nationals who emigrated to the United States had to be Christian and the teachings of the first immigrants were passed down to others when the United States fully opened its borders to Koreans in 1965.
“There’s a great deal of gratitude that Koreans feel towards America,” he said.
