RIP Micah Kim - Catholic Influencer Paul Kim Announces Death of 5-Year-Old Son after Outpouring of Prayer

A Little Saint Enters Glory: The Journey of Micah Kim

The Catholic community is mourning alongside influencer Paul J. Kim following the heartbreaking announcement that his five-year-old son, Micah, passed away on New Year’s Eve. After an intensive 11-day battle with a severe flu, Micah’s earthly journey ended, but his story has become a testament to the power of the Communion of Saints.

A Timeline of Faith and Trial

The ordeal began just before Christmas, transforming a season of joy into a profound Way of the Cross for the Kim family:

• December 21: The first call for intercession went out after Micah was rushed to the hospital via ambulance following a sudden medical emergency.

• The Critical Battle: Doctors identified the illness as an exceptionally aggressive strain of the flu. As the infection turned septic and triggered seizures, Micah was placed on life support.

• A Global Prayer: Paul Kim, who ministers to over 350,000 followers, shared updates that reached millions. This sparked an extraordinary wave of prayer, uniting the faithful across the globe in a singular petition for a miracle. They especially asked the intercession of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.

• December 30: With Micah in a coma, the family and medical team fought for every moment, surrendering the outcome to Divine Providence.

• New Year’s Eve: Micah took his final breath on earth to celebrate the new year in the presence of the Father.

United in Prayer and Hope

Throughout the 11-day vigil, the digital space was transformed into a global cathedral. Paul Kim referred to his son as a "fighter" and "my hero," but his most poignant witness was his total surrender.

Quoting Job 1:21, Kim wrote: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." He comforted his followers by affirming that Micah has now entered "the never-ending glory, love, and peace of God." In a video message shared Thursday, Kim expressed deep gratitude for the millions who lifted his family up:

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, as his dad, on behalf of my family, for all the ways you guys prayed and lifted us up during this time. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through in my life, and it continues to be."

---

The Moral of the Story

The life and passing of Micah Kim remind us that our true citizenship is in Heaven. While the world sees a tragic end to a young life, the eyes of faith see a soul who finished his race early and won the prize. This story illustrates that death is not the end, but a door; it challenges us to live with our hearts set on eternity and reminds us that no one carries their cross alone when they are part of the Body of Christ.

A Call to Vigilance

While we trust in God’s mercy, we are also reminded of the fragility of life. Recent CDC data notes 288 pediatric deaths in the 2024-25 season, with thousands of young children hospitalized annually. This tragedy highlights the importance of both medical vigilance and the spiritual necessity of being prepared to meet the Lord at any hour.

As the Kim family begins the difficult journey of learning to "live by faith and not by sight," they continue to rely on the prayers of the Church.