A world-class weight lifter and part-time worship leader, Junggi Hong of South Korea recently accepted a faculty position in the fast-growing Human Performance department at Corban College.

Hong expects to complete the research for his doctoral dissertation this spring; Corban students may be subjects.

“I’m ecstatic, and we can’t take any credit,” said Bryce Bernard, vice president for academics. “God put this together.”

Hong, having heard of the music department’s desire for a cellist instructor, sent his wife Sookyeung’s resume – also known as “Sue,” she’s a concert cellist – and included his own with a request that it be kept on file for an appropriate opening. The letter arrived the day Assistant Professor and Baseball Coach Paul Gale resigned to be a scout for the Houston Astros.

Hong’s resume shows he earned a BS degree in Physical Education and an MS in Sports Medicine from the prestigious Korean National Sports University in Seoul. He won three gold medals in 1996 in the Asian weightlifting competition in Taiwan, and was conditioning coach for the KIA professional basketball team for four years.

His 18 years in ministry includes leading worship for revival meetings in 1993 and 1994 at Yoido Full Gospel Church, the world’s largest church, led by Dr. “Paul” (now known as “David”) Yonggi Cho. At present he is worship leader at First Baptist Church in Corvallis.

Hong also has co-published several abstracts and made presentations at national conferences. In addition, papers are in the publishing process, and he was awarded a research grant earlier this year from the National Institutes of Health for work he’s doing on multiple sclerosis.

“To get somebody of Junggi’s caliber, finishing his doctorate, Baptist, a solid believer deeply committed to his faith, this is really exciting,” Bernard said. “Once again, God has provided the college with a highly talented and professionally competent faculty member who loves the Lord.”

During a short interview in Dr. Bernard’s office, Hong said he hoped to be able to use Corban students as part of his research. His dissertation is titled “The effect of vibration training on shoulder joint position sense, muscular strength and the rate of forced development.”