Residence Director: Brent Frazier

I am a product of the 50's, born in Nigeria, West Africa; I am one of seven children raised by Baptist missionaries, Don & Ina Frazier. I consider myself blessed to be a part of such a committed Christian family. I attended various African national schools until sixth grade, followed by boarding school at Hillcrest in Jos Nigeria, where I was taught many responsibilities, and learned to become independent, which shaped my life for the future. Although I was unable to graduate with my classmates in Nigeria, I was blessed to complete my high school career in the same town where I would meet my future wife, Jo. I attended Carson Newman College from 1977-1980 and received my commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard. During my time in the National Guard, I was company commander of two units, followed by a tour as a training officer at squadron and regimental headquarters. Jo and I married in 1980, and within five years we had two children, Tyler, and Drew. All the while, I served in the military for eleven years, and we ran a small business in the small town of Piedmont, Tennessee.

Prior to coming to TCIS, Jo and I were privileged to attend New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where we completed our undergraduate degrees. Following graduation, we arrived in Korea, August, 1993 and became the dorm parents to the sole dorm on campus (a coed dorm full of 38 middle and high school students). We served in this role for seven years, and handed off the baton to some new dorm families when the program grew to three dorms, at this time I became the full time resident director. Since this time, the program has grown to seven dormitories with over 30 wonderful staff members, and 230 plus boarding students on two campuses. I have also had the privilege of working on and now completing a Masters in Organizational Leadership, which I believe has and will benefit me greatly in my administrative role at both GSIS and TCIS.

I know that God has enriched me from each experience in my life I have encountered. I am also aware that He is in control of every situation. I am committed to my current position at both schools and consider it as a call from God to serve in this capacity. I want to be in His will in all I do.

Staff: At full capacity, our staff consists of 4 full-time dorm parents, 4 residence assistants, part-time secretary and a part-time nurse; directed by a residence director and assistant residence director. We maintain a one staff to eight student ratio.

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Boarding Parents: The Karsens

Stephen J. Karsen grew up in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He has devoted nine years to dorm parenting Korean and other international TCK's at Taejon Christian International School and Gyeonggi Suwon International School. He also taught an Environmental Science course for five years while at TCIS. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Education and a Master of Art's in Christian Education. Past experience includes serving as a self-employed Wildlife Research Contractor and Nature Interpreter. Accomplishments include principal authorship of Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles; first and second edition as well as discoverer of Karsenia Koreana, a new genus of salamander found in South Korea. Hobbies include snake collecting, mammal watching, hiking, reading, and chess. Mr. Karsen volunteers for the Science Museum in Taejon and enjoys joining other Korean educators in furthering the knowledge of the reptiles and amphibians of Korea.

Pelesia Karsen has served in residential care for fourteen years. Pelesia came to GSIS in 2007 after serving as a dorm parent at TCIS for seven years. Her undergraduate degree is in Social Work and she holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education. The Boarding Program of Taejon Christian International School became accredited by Association of Christian Schools International with Pelesia's coordination. She is currently preparing the GSIS for ACSI accreditation. Past experience includes nursing home administration for the developmentally disabled, post acute brain injury rehabilitation, teaching and foster parenting as a missionary, serving as a youth director, and music evangelist.

The Karsens have been married over twenty years and have three children of their own; Katrina born in 1995, Penny born in 1998, and Courtney born in 2005. As dorm parents the Karsens enjoy caring for, mentoring and helping build the character of students living in the dorm.

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Resident Assistants

Ryan Dellos

Ryan Dellos grew up in South America. His parents were missionaries in Argentina where he spent most of his childhood years. In 6th grade he went to boarding school at the Alliance Academy in Quito, Ecuador. He lived in the dorm program there for 5 years and then moved back to the States where he finished High School at Wheaton Academy. He served as an RA in college for 2 years and was very active on campus throughout his time there. He played soccer his 4 years of college; was involved with the prayer ministry team; was a teacher's assistant and also studied abroad in Israel for a semester. After graduating with a Bible and Theology degree, he spent 3 months at Denver Rescue Mission where he lived/worked with addicts and alcoholics. At the same time he served as the discipleship pastor at his father's church. He's done a variety of different mission trips and has done a couple of different soccer ministries over the years as well. Korea is the 6th country he's lived in. He's currently working on his masters degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University.

 

 

Choua Yang

Choua Yang is a Hmong American, who was born and raised in Minnesota. She lived and went to school in Minnesota all the way until her move to South Korea August of 2008. Her parents were born in Laos, but fled to the United States due to the Vietnam and Secret Wars. She is the second youngest of five kids, a proud auntie of five, and currently is the first one in her family and church that is serving overseas. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Communication and Christian Studies from Crown College May 2007, where she was an RA during her senior year. She is a huge basketball fan, enjoying both playing and watching the WNBA, NBA, and NCAA, and journals her life through writing as well as photography. She enjoys designing and making videos for others, and loves learning about theology and enjoys learning about the universe God created. She came to GSIS to work as an Resident Assistant so she could help mentor, guide, and shepherd the students in the dorm. She enjoys building relationships, mentoring young ladies, and helping out at church. She is currently working on her accrediation through the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

 

 

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Staff

Chelsey Kim

Chelsey Kim began serving as dorm secretary in November, 2009. Miss Kim's educational background includes a B.A. in Multimedia from the University of National Institute for Lifelong Education and an A.A. degree in Airline Service Management from INHA Technical College. She studied English at the Athena English Language Center. Through her experience as a secretary of the director of an English institution in the Philippines, Miss Kim is excellent in adapting to and learning other cultures as well as being cooperative with others well and talented in communication skills, computer skills and interpersonal relations. She is so excited to be a member of the boarding staff at GSIS and an indispensable part of the team as she communicates and translates for our boarding program. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her lovely family and  friends. Her parents taught her how to love others and how to share this love with other people.

Miss Kim's considers her elder brother one of the great advisers in her life. He has been rooting for her to achieve and pursue whatever she desires in her life. She is always thankful for everything she has around her and the opportunity to work for GSIS.