The Simpson University Experience - Kong Yang
"The professors are absolutely passionate about the students here – they love to engage with the students, not just in their academics but also in their spiritual life and mentoring them. They do everything to empower our students to be the best we can be. When we graduate, they want to see us go out into the world and be great people in the name of Jesus."
— Kong Yang, worship ministries major, class of 2016
Kong Yang is a senior worship ministries music major at Simpson University, minoring in pastoral studies. He is co-leader of the chapel worship team, selecting songs and arranging musicians to lead the student body in worship twice a week.
While at Simpson, Kong has also helped lead worship at the Redding First Church of the Nazarene. He plays guitar and bass, and also sings.
Kong’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Thailand before he was born. He attends the Hmong Alliance Church in Sacramento and learned about Simpson through church friends. He visited Simpson during a spring preview weekend, where he visited a music class and met professors who profoundly impacted his life.
“The professors are absolutely passionate about the students here – they love to engage with the students, not just in their academics but also in their spiritual life and mentoring them,” he said. “They do everything to empower our students to be the best we can be. When we graduate, they want to see us go out into the world and be great people in the name of Jesus.”
Kong chose the worship music major because he enjoys serving others through leading them in worship. “More than that,” he said, “seeing others excel in whatever they’re passionate about, whether it’s sports, nursing, teaching, anything that they do well in. I love to see them worship God through every aspect of their life.”
His time at Simpson helped Kong, who describes himself as “super introverted,” grow in confidence and leadership abilities. “In this community, I’ve learned how to be intentional about building relationships and friendships—something I wasn’t able to do easily before,” he said. “Friends and professors are very encouraging and really believe in me.”
Kong received a music scholarship and student leadership scholarship and is grateful for the support from donors that enabled him to attend Simpson for four years.
He hopes to use his Simpson education to become a worship pastor after graduation.
