Gail SongBantum

Conductor. Coach. & Communicator

Meet Gail

I have a passion for seeing individuals and organizations live into the fullness of who God has created them to be and become. I graduated with my Bachelors of Music degree from The Eastman School of Music to one day become a conductor of a major symphony orchestra. But life (and God) had other plans. I quickly ended up following in my mother’s footsteps and went straight into ministry, graduating with my Masters of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School, and now have the privilege of serving as Lead Pastor of Quest Church. In addition, I am deeply committed to investing my time and energy in emerging leaders, especially BIPOC leaders. I do this through mentoring cohorts across various vocational disciplines, preaching, speaking at conferences, and consulting with organizations who have a heart for developing leaders. My greatest joy in life is to help people experience healing, hope, and liberation as we all seek to find spaces of belonging where we can be our full and authentic selves—not merely for ourselves, but to create something beautiful together as a gift to the world around us.

Approved Bio

Reverend Gail Song Bantum is the Lead Pastor of Quest Church, an urban, multi, and inclusive community in the heart of Seattle. As a second generation Korean-American, formed in the Korean immigrant and Black Pentecostal traditions, Pastor Gail seeks to cultivate advocacy, liberation, and belonging for the marginalized within the life of the church. She is particularly passionate about empowering emerging leaders and is a highly sought after speaker, preacher, and consultant. She serves on the board of WomanPreach! Inc. and is the co-author of Choosing Us: Marriage and Mutual Flourishing in a World of Difference. Pastor Gail is an ordained minister and received her M.Div. from Duke Divinity School. She and her husband, Dr. Brian Bantum, have three adult children and reside in Seattle, WA.

“Don’t urge me to abandon you, to turn from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, there too, I will die.”

— Ruth to Naomi, Ruth 1:16-17

Sermons