Our Leadership

Peter J. Yoon

Senior Pastor

Peter J. Yoon simply loves to pastor God’s people. After receiving an M. Div from Talbot Theological Seminary in La Mirada, CA (May, 1996), he met and married his beautiful wife, Jessica. He also loves fathering his 3 children: Nathan, Jason, and Abigail. Prior to joining Kairos Church, he served as an associate pastor at Church of Southland in Anaheim (2001-2011) where God used a variety of gifts and skills to start the Children’s Ministry, College Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Cellgroup Ministry, and Missions Committee. By nature, Pastor Peter strives to be a dependable person. He goes out of the way to treat every person with the same amount of respect, care, concern, and hospitality. Generally, he is an easygoing and congenial person. Everyone he meets, he senses there is something good that God is doing in that person. He strives to create a sense of belonging and acceptance towards others and that usually leads to team-based ministries under his leadership. Pastor Peter has been influenced by his mentors, theological education, and sovereign foundations from the past. This has led to his pursuit of building up Kairos Church as a Gospel-centric church that is Word-centered, Spirit-filled, Missions-driven, and Community-based.

Hansub Lee

College Pastor

Hansub spent most of his life in the Bay Area and committed his life to God in 5th grade. In his earlier years, he went on multiple mission trips to Mexico, Guatemala, and Turkey. This exposure to the world led him to pursue an education in public health science with the intent to work in the health field in Central America. Although he had the opportunity to experience life working in the health field in India and El Salvador, he began discerning that God was calling him to vocational ministry. He began his ministry journey as a intern youth pastor. While later serving at a church plant in San Jose, he began to see his need for training and so he moved down to Orange County in 2017 to attend Talbot Theological Seminary to learn how to become a pastor. However, God had other plans. It turns out he was not so interested in making Hansub the most skilled pastor, but forming him into a whole person restored by the gospel and person of Jesus Christ. From 2017 to 2023, before moving down to San Diego, he ministered at churches in the Greater Los Angeles Area, married Grace, graduated seminary, and became an ordained minister of the gospel. He cares about raising and developing holistic lovers of God. Hansub is definitely more on the serious side, but aside from the serious stuff, his recent interests have been rotating around fragrances, roasting coffee, and reading.

Esther Chailim

Director of Care & Connections

Esther Chailim graduated with a B.S. in Management Science from UCSD in 2007. Shortly thereafter, in April 2008, she committed her life to Christ and quickly discovered a deep love and passion to serve the local church. In 2012, she served as a one-year AMI intern in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati and upon returning in August 2013, she joined the staff at Kairos. She has received an MA in Christian Ministry & Leadership at Talbot Theological Seminary and is currently serving as the Director of Care & Connections.

Valerie Ahn

Director of Ministries

Valerie grew up in the Bay Area and started attending Kairos as a freshman while studying at UCSD. She fell in love with the church immediately and has witnessed God's faithfulness through Kairos over the years. Valerie met her husband, Sam, at Kairos, and together they now have a sweet and fun daughter, Penelope. After studying economics in college, working in the hospitality industry, and becoming a stay-at-home mom, Valerie is excited for God's new chapter in her life to work and serve the church through administrative responsibilities. In her free time, she loves being a plant lady, playing tennis, and eating chips.

Jessica Yoon

Children's Director

Jessica dedicated her life to Christ as a 3rd grader at a family retreat with Grace Korean Church. Since then, she has grown and served in many ministries - Sunday School Teacher, Welcoming Committee, Intercessory Prayer Team, Inner Healing Ministry, and Counseling. Her calling to full-time ministry was further developed when Jessica married Pastor Peter Yoon almost 20 years ago. They have three kids - Nathan, Jason, and Abby. She has been an elementary school teacher for 18 years and enjoys working with children. Jessica has a passion for education and helping students grow to meet their fullest potential. Jessica graduated from UCLA with a BA in Sociology and from BIOLA University with her MA in Education. She is currently serving as Kairos Christian Church's children's director.

Michelle Lee

Children’s Administrator

Eric Lee

Ministry Intern (Youth)

Eric was born and raised in Cerritos, California. Early in his undergraduate studies at UCSD, he realized that his career aspirations were compromising his relationship with God. He ultimately chose to surrender his plans to the Lord, which led him to receive a new calling in vocational ministry. Over the remainder of his college years, Eric learned to work out his calling and embrace it. After graduating in 2024, he served as an AMI 1-year intern in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Since returning, he has committed himself to a lifetime of ministry and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology at Talbot School of Theology. Eric has a wide range of interests and hobbies: he enjoys playing guitar, exercising, reading, and browsing through Facebook Marketplace.

Joseph Poon

Ministry Intern (College)

Joseph was born in San Diego and raised in the Middle East. Over the span of his undergraduate years, he discovered his passion for ministry while leading his youth group. His time at Kairos has only deepened his sense of calling, leading him to step into vocational ministry. He is now serving as a college ministry intern and pursuing an education in seminary. Outside of church life, Joseph enjoys singing, exercising, playing sports, and making espresso.

Kirsten Kim

Media Director

Kirsten was born and raised in Orange County, California. She moved just a little further south for her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego in 2018. She began attending Kairos and grew in her love for the Lord and in her desire to serve His people. She loves eating good food with good friends, playing competitive sports, and singing with her dad.

Ben Kim

Media Coordinator

Benjamin grew up in Orange County, California, attending Church of Southland. He moved south to study at the University of California, San Diego, and grew his faith further at Kairos. During this time, he found ways to use his creativity in visual media to serve his church community. Today, he serves as Media Coordinator at Kairos, where he creates promotional videos, event coverage, and testimonials highlighting people’s faith journeys. When he isn’t editing, you’ll find him running, golfing, bowling, or riding his motorcycle.