Esther Chang O'Connell, 37, of Kansas City, went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at her home with her loving family by her side.

Esther was born July 1, 1976 to Suk Man Chang and Young Oak Baik in Seoul, South Korea. Esther graduated from Southeastern Baptist Seminary with a Master's of Divinity. After receiving her degree she served as the Youth Pastor at International Calvary Church in Virginia. In 2008, Esther accepted a position at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Kansas City as Youth Pastor. While attending services at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, she met the love of her life Michael O'Connell. They were married on February 18, 2011. Esther will always be remembered as a passionate lover of Jesus and a proud wife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her own mother, Young Oak Baik, in 1992. She leaves behind her loving husband, Michael O'Connell; a daughter, Zoe Joo Ae O'Connell; her father, Suk Man Chang; a sister, Julia Chang; an aunt and an uncle Young Ah and Young Kuol Park.

Services

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at Forerunner Christian Fellowship, 12444 Grandview Rd, Grandview, MO 64030. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Memorial Contributions

The family suggest memorial contributions in Esther’s memory be made to the Malachi Network, P.O. Box 368, Avalon, NJ 08202; or to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation, P.O. Box 442, Needham, MA 02494; International House of Prayer of Kansas City-Korean Ministry, 3535 East Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64137 or visit their website at https://www.ihopkc.org/give/korean/