Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2008 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

The Reverend Dr. Wal-Soo Ro

The Reverend Wal-Soo Ro has distinguished himself both as a pastor and as a professor – and, most recently, as a Seminary President.

In the 1970s, he was senior pastor of two churches in Korea – Anchon Presbyterian Church in Suwon, Kyung-gi, and Schinchon Presbyterian Church in Seoul – before coming to live in New York. In Queens, he served as senior pastor of Pure Presbyterian Church of New York, from 1981 to 1991, when he became senior pastor of Peace Presbyterian Church of New York.

He earned his M.Div. and D.R.E. degrees from Faith Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He holds two earned doctorates – Th.D. and Ph.D. in Christian counseling – from Cohen Theological Seminary in California. He subsequently held professorships at both of these seminaries.

The range of courses he taught include Elementary Hebrew, Syntax of Hebrew, Introduction to the Old Testament, Genesis, Pastoral Theology, Pastoral Preaching, Christian Counseling, Sermon Preparation and Delivery, and History of Christian Education.

Since 2004, he has divided his time between his pastorate in New York and the Seoul Bible Graduate School of Theology in Seoul, Korea, where he is President and Professor.
His thorough scholarship and his able pastoral skills have moved many students and parishioners along their faith journey to know the risen Christ.