Partner with Ian Kim — 5 Points Church

02 — Personal Testimony

The gospel of Christ changed my life.
Now I'm spending it to make Him known.

God rescued me from rebellion and gave me a passion for His glory. I began doing ministry and also started discerning a calling for church planting among the least reached. My next faithful step is the pastoral residency at 5 Points Church.

Growing up, my family went to church, but we did not know Christ. After my parents divorced, we stopped going entirely. I was nine years old, angry, anxious, and lost. By middle school, that pain had turned into secret addictions and substance abuse that followed me into high school.

But at 16, desperate to escape that darkness, I walked back into a church. I heard the gospel, repented, and everything changed. Jesus broke my chains of addiction.

I began leading friends to Christ, gathering students for Bible studies, and asking how my entire life could serve the cause of Christ. Ministry in Boston and a summer in South Asia clarified that calling: I am convinced that planting healthy churches is the biblical method God has chosen to gather, disciple, and send His people. I want to help plant churches that make disciples and endure, and my yes to planting among the least reached, no matter the cost, is on the table.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!Psalm 96:3

Before going to the ends of the earth, I need maturity, wisdom, and hands-on formation. That is why I stepped into a pastoral residency at 5 Points Church: to be formed deeply while laboring faithfully right now.

Ian preaching in a Russell Hall ministry gathering

Ian sitting with a South Asian family overseas on the mission field

Discerning a Call to Pioneering

Out of zeal for Christ, Ian once tried to start what he thought could become a church in his dorm. He preached, led worship, gathered students, and recruited a small team. As he grew in biblical understanding and learned what a healthy local church actually is, he humbled himself, corrected course, renamed it a ministry, and kept serving. That early season did not prove he was ready to plant a church; it proved he was willing to pioneer, be corrected, and persevere. Then he went overseas — and the same church-planting vision taking root on campus grew to reach the nations.

03 — Ministry Portfolio

The whole picture — the field, the necessity, and the work of formation.

A closer look at the residency — the field where Ian serves, the formation it requires, and the work already underway.

A man sitting alone in despair — the spiritual need of the mission field

3AThe Urgent Mission FieldAthens & the road to the nations

A theological library — the depth of formation behind faithful ministry

3BThe Necessity of FormationWhy formation before sending matters

Students worshiping with hands raised — the fruit of hands-on ministry

3CThe Work and the FormationHis hands-on ministry & how he's being formed

3A The Urgent Mission Field — Athens & the road to the nations

Building a durable gospel presence
in a neighborhood with spiritual need.

Athens, GA is a strategic cultural hub with a clear need for more faithful, gospel-centered churches. The fields are ready for harvest.

I’m ready to partner → Show me Athens

For the donor who wants to see the field Why 5 Points Church and Athens matter. Open this if you want the local ministry picture: students, families, neighbors, and international students are all within reach of faithful local churches right now. 63% do not attend church25-30K disconnected students125+ countries

63%

Do not attend church

The majority of this community has no gospel-centered church in their life

Local estimate

25–30K

UGA students disconnected from any church

A major campus population within reach of a faithful local church.

Local estimate

43K

People within 2 miles

A concentrated ministry field with a lack of gospel-centered churches. 119,000 people live within a 5-mile radius.

U.S. Census, 2020-2024

80%

Under age 42

Young, transient, secular — 65% are single. Spiritually adrift with nowhere to go.

Local estimate

70%

High schoolers face economic insecurity

Families in crisis, with no gospel witness within walking distance.

Local estimate

A Gateway to the Nations

International students are already within reach — thousands come to Athens from across the world, including nations with limited gospel access, and from the University of Georgia can walk or take the bus to 5 Points Church, placing a faithful local church within practical reach.

2,500+

International students from 125+ countries

65–75%

Come from the 10/40 Window

Walk

A local church is accessible from campus on foot

Bus

Students can also reach 5 Points Church by bus

3B The Necessity of Formation — why formation before sending

The gospel need is urgent.
Formed and faithful leaders are the answer.

Athens is a real mission field, and the wider harvest is vast. Behind the need for more churches lies a deeper one: pastors, workers, and planters formed deeply enough to endure and multiply — here in Athens, and among the nations where Christ is least known.

I’m ready to give → Show me the case

For the donor who wants the why Why invest in formation before sending? A short, serious case for why this residency is not delay, but preparation: churches are closing, pastors are aging, unreached peoples remain unreached, and durable leaders must be formed before they are sent. 4,000 churches closed3.4B with little gospel access85% lack training

4,000

U.S. churches closed in 2024 — more than were started

Lifeway Research, 2026

Every closing is a community left without a gospel witness — and a pastor who wasn't equipped to last.

29%

Of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated

Pew Research Center, 2025

The U.S. is now one of the world's largest mission fields — a rising tide with no church at home. The very place Ian is being forged before being sent to the ends of the earth.

3.5%

Of the world's churches have a formally trained pastor

P2P Networks

Unhealthy churches and false doctrine are the direct result of sending men without formation. Trained pastors must become the norm.

Higher failure rate for untrained church planters

Redeemer City to City

Every dollar invested in Ian's formation now prevents a failed church plant later.

85%

Of pastors worldwide lack effective theological training

Reaching & Teaching International

The greatest bottleneck in global missions is the absence of trained men. Your gift directly addresses that gap.

For the Nations · The Global Frontier

The scale of the unfinished task Ian is being prepared to reach — where Christ is least known.

3.4B

People with little or no access to the gospel of Jesus Christ

Joshua Project, 2026

7,168

Unreached people groups — over 42% of the world's population

Joshua Project, 2026

3,216+

Frontier people groups — nearly 1.9 billion with almost no gospel response

Joshua Project, 2026

<3%

Of global missionary work reaches the 85% of unreached peoples in the 10/40 Window

Joshua Project, 2026

The Burnout Problem

"There are now more full-time senior pastors over the age of 65 than under the age of 40. 75% of senior pastors are fifty or older. There are plainly not enough younger pastors, missionaries, and evangelists to replace the aging, graying, retiring, and dying generation of Christian leaders."

— Barna Group / Proclaim & Defend

Formation is the antidote to attrition.

3C The Work and the Formation — his hands-on ministry and how he's being formed

Taking the gospel to the neighborhood, the next generation, and the nations.

Three goals of the residency.

Ian discipling a member of 5 Points Church

Doing ministry.

His hands-on, week-to-week ministry at 5 Points Church.

Ian with the middle school soccer team at Clarke — The need, in one photo
2of 20students in this photo are churched — one of them is ours.

01Youth Ministry

Evangelizing and discipling middle and high school students with significant spiritual need at Clarke Central and Clarke Middle.

02Local Outreach

Serving economically insecure families and those in spiritual need, including internationals.

03Life of the Church

Worship, discipleship, international student ministry, and teaching.

04Missions Mobilization

Cultivating a global vision and helping believers discover God's heart for the nations.

Being forged.

01Spiritual

Character before competency: being shepherded toward deeper love for Christ, personal holiness, accountability, prayer, and integrity.

02Theological

Rooted in God’s Word: growing in theology, biblical interpretation, preaching, teaching, and confidence to handle Scripture faithfully.

03Formational

Christ formed in him: life-on-life formation that presses beyond knowledge into deep, lasting transformation of heart and leadership.

04Practical

Learning ministry by doing ministry: leading, discipling, planning, caring for people, and gaining wisdom alongside experienced leaders.

05Missional

Sent for the sake of the Gospel: being prepared to see neighborhoods and nations through the mission of Christ.

Being sent.

Ian's vision for durable sending

01A healthy sending church

A strong local church providing oversight, prayer, and enduring partnership.

02An equipped sending organization

Trusted on-field support, care, and accountability.

03A vibrant Christ-centered team

Healthy laborers pursuing the mission together.

04A clear church-planting strategy

A durable gospel presence among unreached peoples.

Potential sending partners:
IMB · Reaching & Teaching · Pioneers · The Navigators · Christar

“I am committed to laboring with all the strength God provides so that my life may be spent for the Great Commission. It is an honor and a joy to do this with 5 Points Church now, and wherever God sends me next.”

— Ian Kim

Your partnership, at work

You've seen the field, the need, and the work of formation. Here is the invitation to join the work.

Every gift is made to 5 Points Church and applied directly to Ian's residency — forming a durable gospel worker for Athens and the nations. Multiply it with an employer match, give tax-wisely through appreciated stock, or — open to everyone — partner through prayer and a warm introduction.

Give monthly → Give one-time See every way to make an impact

Monthly partners provide the steadiest support — every gift goes directly to sustaining the youth ministry in Athens and Ian's training for the nations.

04 — Partnership

Become a ministry partner today.

Partnering is not a transaction — it's a shared calling with eternal weight. Every faithful gift, of any kind, matters and is important to God.

01Cash & Recurring GiftsThe steadiest, most direct support — monthly or one-time. 01AEmployer MatchingDouble or triple your gift in minutes. 02Stock GiftsTurn assets into Kingdom impact. 03Prayer & NetworkingPray, share, or open one door.

01 Cash & Recurring Gifts

Suggested monthly amounts below, or enter a custom amount and frequency further down.

$150 / month

Monthly Partner

Join a foundational team covering a significant share of the residency's baseline cost.

$300 / month

Anchor Partner

Carry significant weight of the cost so Ian can give his time fully to ministry and training.

$500 / month

Sending Partner

Accelerate the ministry by covering a large share of the salary — enabling healthy rhythms and long-term fruitfulness.

$1,000+ / month

Catalyst Partner

Cover a monumental portion of the residency — freeing Ian for focused, fruitful ministry and the path toward the unreached.

Give a custom amount

Frequency

Choose your amount and rhythm, then hit Continue to open the secure giving form here.

Complete your partnership securely

Enter your amount and choose Monthly or One Time below.

Official 5 Points Church giving form · Powered by ManagedMissions

If the secure form does not display in your browser, open Ian's official giving page.

Prefer a new tab? Open the same secure giving form →

Prefer to give on another device? Scan this code to open the exact same official ManagedMissions form.

01A Employer Matching

It can be overlooked, but employer matching lets you multiply what you give for Kingdom work. A match request takes under five minutes with HR or benefits.

1xYour Gift

2xCommon Match

3xSome Employers

How to set up your match

Check if your employer matches. Search your company name plus "matching gift program," or ask your HR / benefits team. Many companies match spouse and retiree gifts too.
Submit the request with your employer. Use the giving details below — recipient: 5 Points Church. Designation / memo: Pastoral Residency (do not include Ian's name).
Your employer sends the match directly. No extra paperwork on your end — the company sends its portion straight to 5 Points Church, which applies it to Ian's residency.

Recipient Org5 Points Church Inc

Address825 S Milledge Ave, Athens, GA 30605

Designation / MemoPastoral Residency

Tax Status501(c)(3) nonprofit — gift and match are both tax-deductible

Use Pastoral Residency as the memo for employer matches — not Ian's name. Cash gifts through the secure form in path 01 are designated automatically.

Not sure how to fill out your company's form? Submit your email or number and 5 Points Church leadership will reach out to help.

02 Stock Gifts

Gifts of stock

Convert stock into Kingdom impact.

Some of what God entrusts to us is held in investments, not a checking account. We've added stock giving to serve you — opening a door to turn those assets into lasting Kingdom impact. You can give stock in any amount, and for long-term holds (1+ year) that have appreciated, it's an especially tax-wise gift: you may avoid the capital-gains tax you'd owe on a sale while giving the full value.

Interested in giving stock? Reach out today — ian@5pointschurch.org or 470-362-0926. — Ian

03 Prayer & Networking

An additional role — for every partner Pray, share, or help open one door.

Whether or not you can give financially, you can still partner powerfully — by praying, sharing this page, and introducing Ian to people who may want to join. Especially if you can't give right now, one warm introduction can be among the most valuable gifts you offer.

Pray

Pray that Jesus would save students in Athens, strengthen Ian in holiness and humility, provide the full support needed for this residency, and prepare him to help plant healthy churches where Christ is least known.

Share

Send this page to someone who would want to partner.

Introduce someone

Know one person Ian should talk with? Even a name and email is a real next step.

Give a contact below →

Your tangible next step: give Ian one contact to reach out to

Share the name and contact info of someone Ian could reach out to. A sentence of context helps him approach the conversation graciously. — Ian

For business owners, executives, organizational leaders, pastors, and foundations weighing a larger-scale partnership with the church and the overall residency program: ian@5pointschurch.org or 470-362-0926.

Ian's personal reflection on the biblical stewardship of money

What could be redirected for eternal purposes?

Scripture reminds us that we brought nothing into the world and cannot take anything out of it. Ordinary spending is not inherently wrong. But even a thoughtful redirection of discretionary spending can sustain ministry that bears lasting fruit.

$3,945 Average annual household spending on dining out, delivery, and takeout

$3,609 Average annual household spending on entertainment

$2,001 Average annual household spending on apparel and related services

None of these purchases are inherently sinful, and we can all enjoy God's good gifts. But what could we redirect now for eternal purposes? For some partners, generosity begins with a simple question: what portion of what God has entrusted to me could be redirected toward the advance of the gospel?

2024 household averages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys. Scripture reference: 1 Timothy 6:7.

Questions, or want to talk and pray about partnering?
At any level, Ian would love to — reach him anytime:

ian@5pointschurch.org 470-362-0926

Giving questions

Are gifts tax-deductible?

Yes — through 5 Points Church, a registered 501(c)(3).

Where do the funds go?

To 5 Points Church, which places Ian on its official payroll for this residency.

Who provides accountability?

Ian serves under the oversight of the qualified elders and leadership of 5 Points Church. Donors also receive a monthly email update about the ministry.

How do I set up monthly giving?

In the secure form above, choose “Monthly,” enter your amount, and complete checkout — your gift then continues automatically each month, so Ian can plan and minister with confidence. Steady monthly support is the backbone of a residency, and it adds up over a year: $150 a month provides $1,800 a year, $300 a month provides $3,600, $500 a month provides $6,000, and $1,000 a month provides $12,000 toward Ian’s annual support.

Can I give a one-time gift instead?

Just select “One Time” in the secure form above. For other methods, reach Ian below.

How long is the residency, and what happens after?

Ian is fully committed to a two-year residency: a season of full-time ministry and pastoral training under the elders of 5 Points Church, preparing him to be sent to plant churches where Christ is least known. Your partnership sustains him through these two years and helps launch him toward being sent, and many partners are glad to continue with him into that next chapter.

Can my church or small group partner together?

Absolutely — and it’s one of the most powerful ways to partner. When a church, small group, or family gives together, smaller individual gifts combine into substantial, steady support, and you get to carry the mission as a community. Whether monthly or as a shared one-time gift, Ian would love to help you set it up — just reach out.

Partner with 5 Points Church in Ian's residency.

Hear the Vision from Ian

Explore the vision

Our sin separates us from God forever.Our only hope is Jesus Christ.

There is an eternal, all-powerful, holy, and loving God. We were made for relationship with Him.

The gospel of Christ changed my life.
Now I'm spending it to make Him known.

The whole picture — the field, the necessity, and the work of formation.

Building a durable gospel presence
in a neighborhood with spiritual need.

The gospel need is urgent.
Formed and faithful leaders are the answer.

Taking the gospel to the neighborhood, the next generation, and the nations.

You've seen the field, the need, and the work of formation. Here is the invitation to join the work.

Become a ministry partner today.

Complete your partnership securely

What could be redirected for eternal purposes?

Giving questions

Stay connected to the mission

An Acts 2 church —
from Athens to the
ends of the earth.

Committed to making wholehearted disciples.

Partner with 5 Points Church in Ian's residency.

Hear the Vision from Ian

Explore the vision

Our sin separates us from God forever.Our only hope is Jesus Christ.

There is an eternal, all-powerful, holy, and loving God. We were made for relationship with Him.

The gospel of Christ changed my life.Now I'm spending it to make Him known.

The whole picture — the field, the necessity, and the work of formation.

Building a durable gospel presencein a neighborhood with spiritual need.

The gospel need is urgent.Formed and faithful leaders are the answer.

Taking the gospel to the neighborhood, the next generation, and the nations.

You've seen the field, the need, and the work of formation. Here is the invitation to join the work.

Become a ministry partner today.

Complete your partnership securely

What could be redirected for eternal purposes?

For the receiver

For the giver

Giving questions

Stay connected to the mission

An Acts 2 church —from Athens to theends of the earth.

Committed to making wholehearted disciples.

The gospel of Christ changed my life.
Now I'm spending it to make Him known.

Building a durable gospel presence
in a neighborhood with spiritual need.

The gospel need is urgent.
Formed and faithful leaders are the answer.

An Acts 2 church —
from Athens to the
ends of the earth.