"The Gospel to the whole creation": Meet our President-elect Rev Dr Paul Goh
We share an interview filmed at the 17th Assembly following Paul Goh's election as the next President. He will serve in the Uniting Church's most senior leadership role from 2027-2030
October 9, 2024
The Assembly is delighted to release this new video introducing you to the President-elect of the Uniting Church in Australia, Rev Dr Paul Goh.
The 17th Assembly in July 2024 joyfully elected Paul the next President of the Uniting Church in Australia following a national nomination process. This interview was filmed following the announcement, which was received with acclamation. You can also watch a video with highlights of Paul's speech.
Ordained in the Presbyterian Church of Korea in 1999 and having migrated to Australia in 2010, Paul will be the first Korean to serve as President when he takes up the role in 2027.
In this interview, Paul shares about the journey that led him to ministry in the Uniting Church, his time in Korea and America, his training as a practical theologian, his family, and the things that feed his spirituality and restore his soul.
"I say half jokingly, I was predestined to be a Uniting Church minister," says Paul, "because I was ordained by the Presbyterian church, and I also studied my doctorate program with Methodist and Congregational associated churches."
"I read the Basis of Union, the foundational document for the Uniting Church when I was in New Jersey. I was quite impressed. And I felt the strong movement of the Holy Spirit."
"I felt a strong sense of calling, but that was not actually as an ordained minister. At that time, my calling was to go into the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
"I love every congregation and faith community. I love Presbytery. I love every Synod. I love Assembly. To practice that love, I'd like to get to know more and more about our congregations, more about our faith communities, and more about other Presbyteries and Synods as our our national life."
Paul is currently Justice & CALD Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Officer in the Mission Resourcing team of the Synod of South Australia, offering leadership across the Synod. Paul is Advocate for the Assembly’s Being a Multicultural Church Circle and served on the Assembly Act2 Steering Committee from 2022-2024.
He brings a deep passion for and extensive experience in multicultural and cross-cultural ministry.
The video was filmed by The Signal Box on Burramattagal Land in Parramatta, Sydney.
Watch below, or watch and download it on Vimeo.
More 17th Assembly news
President’s Season of Creation message
Today, 1 September, marks the beginning of the 2026 Season of Creation, as Christians around the world gather in prayer, reflection and action to celebrate God’s gift of creation and renew their commitment to care for our common home. To mark the beginning of the season, Uniting…
President's reflection: Arise and shine!
President’s reflection: Arise and shine! Last week, President Rev Charissa Suli attended a global gathering of Methodist and Uniting Church women. She carried home stories, wisdom and a renewed call for the Church to shine. The 15th World Assembly of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (WFMUCW) brought together Methodist and Uniting Church…
President's Pastoral Prayer for Nepal
President’s Pastoral Prayer for the People of Nepal As we hear of the devastating floods in Nepal, we pause in sorrow and solidarity with all those affected. In the face of lives lost, families separated and communities facing profound uncertainty, we turn to God in prayer. We pray for those who grieve, those still…
Farewell to Rev Lindsay Cullen
The Assembly farewells Rev Lindsay Cullen After almost nine years of faithful presence, imagination and service, Rev Lindsay Cullen is stepping down from the role of Assembly Associate General SecretaryThe Uniting Church community gathered at Pitt Street Uniting Church in Sydney last Thursday to give thanks for the ministry of Rev Lindsay Cullen and formally…
UCA delegation active at WMC meeting
UCA delegation active at global Methodist gathering in El SalvadorA Uniting Church in Australia delegation has joined Methodists and Wesleyans from around the world in El Salvador, for the World Methodist Council gathering, held from 13–17 August. Gathering under the theme “The Kingdom of God is Justice, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans…
Associate General Secretaries gather
UCA Associate General Secretaries gather Associate General Secretaries from across the Uniting Church gathered last week at Campfire in the Heart, Alice Springs, on the traditional lands of the Arrernte people, the Traditional Custodians of Mparntwe. The gathering brought together Linda Hanson (Synod of Queensland), Sue Page and Andrew Robertson (South Australia), Sharon Hollis…
Eastwood UC: Weaving Belonging in a Divided World
Eastwood UC: Weaving Belonging in a Divided WorldThe Uniting Church President, Rev Charissa Suli, recently visited Eastwood Uniting Church in Sydney’s north west, where she preached and shared Holy Communion as the congregation celebrated its 2026 theme, TOGETHER. The theme reflects the congregation’s rich intercultural life, bringing together English, Korean and Chinese-speaking worshippers, alongside people…
Celebrating INS 2026
Many cultures, one body: celebrating Intercultural Neighbouring SundayLast month, congregations and communities across the Uniting Church gathered to celebrate Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday (INS) – a day to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures and languages that make up the body of Christ and explore what it means to live our faith interculturally. Emerging from a…