Asian Churches, 'Let us resemble Korea'

The 6th Asian Church Congress was closed which was held from 26th to 29th of April on Chi-ahk Mountain in South Korea. Pastor Sang-bok Kim, the leader of Evangelical Fellowship of Asia, said," 80% of participants visited Korea for the first time. They are the second generation of Evangelical movement, and they said they received a lot of grace and were challenged more than they had expected through this opportunity. It was the time where we reaffirmed the ministries and evangelical direction in Asian churches."

He added, "Also we emphasized on eqilibrium in ministries of 'the gospel of salvation' and 'change through sanctification', 'serving towards God,neighbors and society."

Pastor Myung-hyuk Kim, the leader of Evangelical Fellowship of Korea said,"God's grace was poured down in every moment of this congress and participants were filled with passion. On the last day, all the participants went to the border of North Korea & South Korea and prayed altogether for unification. It was really meaningful time."

Pastor Jung-pyo Han said during the sermon of closing service, "We are all living martyrs. Remembering all the sacrifice of martyrs who shed their blood for evangelizaion of this land, we should always go on with the spirit of martyrs as we live and have the heart of apostle Paul who said to 'live for the Lord and die for the Lord.' "

Pastor Lee emphasized that when pastors change, churches would change also and the ministry should be not only for the church but for Jesus. He emphasized on 'the faith of willing to die','the faith of dying and living again' and many participants' hearts were burning with passion.

Pastor Godfrey Yogarajah, the director of Evangelical Fellowship of Asia, said, "This congress was good opportunity for the leaders of churches in Asia where we could have fellowship together and study together. Especially, churches of Korea and a good role model for a church were presented at this time. We were able to learn about amazing growth of churches, passion of morning prayer in Korea and the basis of faith of enduring through hardships."

Pastor Joshua K. Ogawa (Japan Evangelical Alliance, Board Member)said, "It was precious time where we could discuss together and pray together with the leaders of churches in Asia gathered in one place. It has given great challenge to Japan Evangelical Alliance. We've found passion and talents of next generation for evangelical movement and this gathering should improve to be world-wide scale."

Most of the leaders of Asian churches who attended this gathering were greatly challenged and inspired. They said that they wanted to resemble the churches in Korea.

EFA was established in Korea, 1983, for churches in Asia to have fellowship, unite as one.

The congress is being held every 2 or 3 years in different countries in Asia.

Ahrim Lee
Ecumenical Press