Since its founding, the University of Valley Forge (UVF) has spoken of God’s provision, guidance and faithfulness as it has focused on preparing individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world. This past year, the university experienced God’s faithfulness and guidance once again as the search for a new university president began. After nearly a year of searching, interviewing and fervent prayer, the university is pleased to announce Rev. David S. Kim as the 10th president of UVF.
UVF conducted an extensive nationwide search, seeking a president with a strong spiritual journey, unique qualifications and a God-given desire to serve as president. The search began in April 2016 after Don Meyer, Ph.D., president from 1997 to 2016, presented his intent to retire. Then, Byron Klaus, D.Min., was invited to serve as the interim president, starting July 1, 2016, while UVF continued a nationwide presidential search. During that time, a presidential search committee and a presidential selection committee were formed. Due to a family situation, Klaus requested to step down from his position at UVF. Ron McManus, D.Min., stepped in as his replacement in January 2017 while the presidential search continued.
By forming two committees as part of the presidential search, UVF created a process that would ensure the best candidate for presidency by drawing from those who know and love the university. The search committee was a nine-person committee that consisted of three district superintendents, three influential faculty members, one staff representative, the student government president and an alumni co-president. The selection committee consisted of seven district superintendents of the Northeast Region, Assemblies of God. UVF Board of Trustees Chairman Rev. Carl Colletti led both committees.
The Search Committee’s objective was to vet all of the applicants for the position and select three top candidates. The three candidates were then put before the selection committee. The selection committee’s objective was to study and interview the selected candidates and nominate one final candidate. That one candidate was presented to the board of trustees for election. During the board of trustees’ 2017 spring meeting on April 5, the board unanimously affirmed Kim as the 10th president of the University of Valley Forge. The board additionally affirmed McManus as the university’s first chancellor.
Prior to joining the UVF administration, Kim served in a variety of international and entrepreneurial leadership positions. He is a 1997 UVF alumnus and holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey. He was ordained by the Assemblies of God in 2004. He has been a church planter and led several Christian schools in the U.S. and abroad. Kim, along with his wife Rebekah and four children—Lauren, Taylor, Nichole and Elijah—moved to Ecuador where he served as the CEO of Terrayork Cacao, a successful cacao exportation company. After a life-altering accident in 2013, Kim and his family returned to the U.S., and he became a church consultant and staff pastor before coming back to UVF in 2015 as chair of the department of intercultural studies. During UVF’s recent season of organizational restructuring, Kim was asked by the board of trustees’ executive committee to serve as chief operating officer, a role he began in December of 2016.
At the request of the president-elect, the position of chancellor of the University of Valley Forge was created, and the Board of Trustees unanimously appointed McManus to this role. McManus is a well-known and respected leader in the Assemblies of God. Prior to joining the UVF administration, McManus served in various leadership roles. He is a graduate of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, and holds a Master of Arts degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri. Additionally, McManus earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Erskine Seminary in Due West, South Carolina. McManus served as President of EQUIP (Encouraging Qualities Undeveloped in People), a not-for-profit Christian organization, from 1997-2000. He is the former president of the Center for Church Leadership and serves as a consultant to the Church Transformation Initiative of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
As UVF’s first chancellor, McManus will be an ambassador for UVF and will serve in the president’s cabinet by representing the university to donors, government leaders and other people of influence, and will be a resource for networking and fundraising. He will also serve to advise the president regarding vision for the university and help to equip the leadership of the university.
UVF is excited to see the university flourish under the leadership of this new administration. Kim has a passion for discipleship and church planting and for helping churches and organizations thrive. He is a student of leadership, and his drive for excellence and collaboration influences everyone around him. His gifts have already been witnessed by the university as systems and processes are restructured, and his passion to serve Jesus in all things has been continually evident.
Kim expressed his deep honor to be able to serve as the next president, saying, “It is my firm conviction that UVF must be devoted to equipping the next generation of leaders to be completely in love with Jesus, fully devoted to following Him and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This must be our direction as the University of Valley Forge. As we offer excellence in our academic programs, we must be fully Christ-centered and deeply Spirit-filled.” {eoa}
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