Explore How We Proclaim & Protect
James Choi
Pastor James was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to America at seven years of age when his non-Christian parents sent him to America to achieve the “American Dream.” But God had other plans…to eventually save him and call him into pastoral ministry.
He holds degrees from the University of Florida (Bachelor of Arts), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Master of Theology), and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Christian Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
James served as a youth pastor in Dallas from 2005 to 2008 and as an associate pastor at Global Mission Church in Silver Spring, MD from 2008 to 2015. He served as one of the elders at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. from 2017–2020, after completing CHBC’s Pastoral Internship in Spring 2015. In addition, James worked as a church planting catalyst at the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and North American Mission Board from 2017 to 2020, where he helped local churches develop and deploy church planters.
James is passionate about the Gospel, expositional preaching, healthy churches, reading Spurgeon, raising up the next generation through discipleship, and good coffee. His favorite food is Korean, Tex-Mex, and BBQ. He resides in Rockville, MD with his wife, Jeri, and their three children.
Jacob Halle
Jacob grew up in Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh, where he lived and worked until moving with his family to Maryland in 2017 after prayerfully deciding to support the planting of New Covenant Baptist Church.
Jacob graduated with an economics degree from Washington and Jefferson College, which is also where he met his wife Emily. And he holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Moody Theological Seminary.
Before moving to Maryland, Jacob worked for a local community center providing education, social services, and financial training for “at-risk” communities. He also worked in IT Project Management at 2 Twelve Solutions.
Jacob is passionate about Bible teaching and discipleship, and he and Emily love hospitality. Jacob loves working out and being outdoors—and of course, he’s a Pittsburgh sports fan. He lives with his wife and five children in Silver Spring.
Brandon Lee
Brandon was born in Seoul, South Korea, and moved to the United States with his family at the age of five. He grew up in Maryland and was part of the core team sent out to plant New Covenant Baptist Church in 2020.
Brandon graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a Master of Public Health degree. He began his career in consulting at Deloitte Consulting before transitioning to his current role as a Product Owner at 2 Twelve Solutions.
Passionate about discipleship, Brandon enjoys building relationships through studying the Bible and reading books on the Christian life. In his free time, he loves to cook, find good eats and coffee, and watch soccer (football) and basketball.
Brandon lives in Silver Spring with his wife, Swane, and their daughter and twin boys.
What is an Elder?
Qualified, Recognized, Affirmed
An elder is a man who (i) meets the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9, (ii) is recognized by his congregation as an elder, and (iii) leads the congregation by teaching the Word, praying for the sheep, and overseeing the affairs of the church.
Overseer, Shepherd, Pastor
An elder must watch over the flock—instructing all the sheep, strengthening the weak, guarding the vulnerable, rebuking the obstinate, and bearing with the difficult. He watches over the members of his church as one who will give an account to God (Hebrews 13:17).
Plurality
In the New Testament, local churches consistently have a plurality of elders. Christ, the Chief Shepherd, means to care for His flock through a number of godly men who together teach, guard, guide, protect, and love the sheep.
Questions for the elders?
Contact the Elders