Rev. Youngmin Lo

Rev. Youngmin Lo’s story begins in Seoul, South Korea, and unfolds in the vibrant streets of New York City, where he arrived as a teenager. As the eldest child of immigrant parents, Youngmin learned early on to serve—interpreting doctors’ appointments, school meetings, and daily errands—planting the seeds of his lifelong ministry.

Although Youngmin originally intended to study film in college, he discovered his calling to pastoral ministry while helping Sunday school worships and classes at a local Presbyterian Church in Woodside, New York City. That experience led him to explore more diverse ministry roles from various immigrant churches in preaching, teaching, translating, and providing pastoral care in bilingual and cross-cultural congregations.

Youngmin went on to become the first college graduate in his family, earning a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Alliance University (Nyack College), an M.Div. from New York Theological Seminary, and is now pursuing a Th.M. at Princeton Theological Seminary. 

Youngmin and Whitestone church has a long history. He first came to the church as a seminary student when he was in the process of being ordained at Faith Presbyterian Church of Maspeth. New York City Presbytery required him to get Field of education hours at Whitestone Church as a part of ordination requirement. In 2019, he was ordained as a minister of Word and Sacrament and explored various ministries until he came back to Whitestone church.

Fluent in both Korean and English, Youngmin brings a unique perspective to ministry. He acknowledges and hopes to develop the cultural and spiritual needs of a diverse community, creating an inclusive environment where every person can belong. 

Youngmin is happily married to his wife, Hye Jin Park, also an ordained minister and they have one beautiful daughter, Joan. An extrovert at heart, he loves coffee chats, movie nights, travelings, and fostering spaces where everyone feels welcome! 

Julie Suh, Church Musician

Julie Suh, our organist and pianist, joined us in 2004. She is also on the faculty of the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Thurnauer School of Music. She was previously on the faculty of the Westminster Conservatory of Music in Princeton, NJ, and the Aaron Copland School of Music in Queens.

A former special scholarship student at Westminster Choir College and the American Conservatory of Music, Julie won the latter's 1986 and 1989 concerto competitions, resulting in performances with the ACM orchestra (Grieg and Mendelssohn piano concertos, respectively). She has also given numerous solo and chamber music recitals in Chicago, New Jersey, and New York. Among her accolades is a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Performance at the Seventh Annual International Friendship Music Competition and a grand prize in the National Student Music Contest in South Korea.

Julie holds the Bachelor of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music, and a Suzuki Teaching Certificate in piano. She has also done coursework toward her master's degree at Westminster Choir College. Her former teachers include Ena Bronstein, José Santana, Abraham Stokman, and Sheila Keats. Julie is a member of the Associate Music Teacher League and also teaches piano to students of all ages.

John Drastal, Office Administrator

John joined our staff in March of 2015. He previously worked for 38 years as a Senior Account Executive in the printing industry. His educational background includes a BA in Management and an MBA in Marketing from Adelphi University. John learned organizational skills and a positive approach to solving problems as a Military Policy Company Commander in the US Army.

John loves golf, traveling with his family and playing board games with his grandkids. He has been married to his wife, Sharon Horan, for 58 years. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren, all living within a mile of their home. John feels blessed that they are able to have family gatherings on a regular basis.

The Session

Our Session is composed of six ruling elders, members of the congregation who are elected by the congregation and ordained to lead the church and make decisions about what God is calling us to be and to do together. 

• Laurie Jean Ankersen

• Carol Bombardi

• Elizabeth Handler

• Aleta Saravia

• Rose Ronde, Clerk of Session

The Deacons

The Deacons assist with pastoral care and help coordinate special events for the congregation. They are also elected by the congregation and set apart through ordination for this important work. 

• Mariann Acuna, President

• Elizabeth Ankersen

• Kathy Lenz

• Mary Montgomery

• Annemarie Russo