Roots in Russia: Dr. Lee's early life as a missionary kid

Born in Korea, raised in Russia, collegiately educated in Washington D.C. and now a professor in Tigerville, S.C., Jong Eun Lee has lived his life in many different corners of the world.

Full of joyous energy, he welcomed me into his office at North Greenville University, clearing off his desk and offering me a seat. Our conversation, ranging from his life growing up as a missionary kid to the abundance of wild animals in South Carolina, lasted almost an hour.

Lee moved to Russia from Korea when he was seven years old, when his parents were called to be missionaries in St. Petersburg, Russia.

They were originally planning on being there for only a couple years, but their missionary journey turned into a lifelong calling. Though now technically retired, Lee’s parents are still in St. Petersburg serving with a church as senior missionaries.

Throughout his childhood, Lee said his parents had two main ministries: church planting and seminary. In their church planting projects, they focused on three main groups of people in the St. Petersburg area.

“We have collaborated with other Korean missionaries to serve three churches,” Lee said. “One for ethnic Russians, one for the Korean diaspora, and one for, we call them Korean-Russians, which is ethnic Koreans who've been living in Russia and the Soviet Union for five generations.”

Their other ministry outlet is an interdenominational seminary where Lee’s father teaches theology and Christian studies classes. It is a two year Bible school and offers a gateway for pastoral ordination to native Russian pastors.

Lee said there were three primary advantages to, or reasons he was grateful for, his upbringing as a missionary kid.

First, he became fluent in three different languages. He spoke Korean at home with his parents, Russian in church and English in the international Christian school he attended. 

“It was a way to be exposed and learn three different languages, which is probably rare for most people who just grew up in their native country. So that's a huge advantage,” said Lee.

Second, while his family’s main mission field was St. Petersburg, Lee and his parents went on several trips around the world.

“We've been to Central Asia, Ukraine, the Middle East, Scandinavia, Europe. So, I didn't just get to experience Russia. I got to experience the countries surrounding Russia,” he said.

Thirdly, Lee said being raised in a Christian home and attending a small Christian school greatly and beneficially impacted his spiritual upbringing.

Lee spoke about some of the struggles of being a missionary kid as well. He classified himself as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). TCK refers to a child who grew up outside of the country they were born in, so they blend their parents’ culture and the culture they were raised in to create a unique "third culture" identity.

Lee said, “I think it's like a double edge sword. You get to experience diverse cultures, but it's hard to find a permanent home. Because even for myself: born in Korea, lived in Russia, 12 years in D.C., two years as a graduate school student in New York and now, three years in South Carolina. So I've always been traveling, and who knows where I will go next. So, a lack of a permanent home, that's a challenge.”

Lee also moved to the United States alone at the age of 18 to pursue a collegiate degree, and he said that moving so far from family by himself was at times a struggle. However, he said that that period of time was one where he saw the grace of God at work.

Including his bachelors degree, masters degree and PhD program, Lee spent 14 years in school after high school and received a full ride scholarship for the entirety of that schooling.

“I did not pay for tuition for 14 years,” he said. “That made, not just college, but living easier.”

When talking about other times when he has seen the Lord at work, Lee said throughout the course of his parents’ missionary service, he saw many people come to faith through their ministries. He said it encouraged him when people would join the seminary, either to become pastors or just to be better prepared to serve in the church.

“As missionaries,” Lee said. “My parents' mind is that ultimately missionaries will have to leave and you look to the native Russian pastors who will support the local church. So raising local Russian Christians is very integral to our ministry.”

While he is not able to go visit his parents very frequently, this summer, of 2026, Lee and his parents are planning on going to Korea together.

Photos courtesy of Jong Eun Lee