|PIC1|The International Director of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), the Rev Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, has welcomed the release of 19 South Korean hostages this week.
The group of Christian medical volunteers, originally numbering 23, endured six weeks of captivity at the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan, after being captured on a main road last month. They were released in successive rounds over Wednesday and Thursday.
Following the kidnapping - the largest abduction of foreigners in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 - two male hostages were killed by their captors, 40-year-old group leader Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu, and Shim Sung-min, 29. Two female hostages were freed earlier in the month as the Taliban's "gesture of goodwill".
"We at the World Evangelical Alliance rejoice in the fact that our brothers and sisters held hostage for over six weeks have now all been released," said Dr Tunnicliffe. "At the same time we also grieve the loss of the two male Korean captives and will be praying for God to comfort their families."
Dr Tunnicliffe is scheduled to visit South Korea from 13 to 17 September, when he will meet with Korean Christian leaders and possibly the released hostages.
"We also want to assure the Korean churches that we will continue to pray for them as they process the emotions and changes following the hostage crisis," he said.
"We recognise there is much current debate on the future of Korean missionary work in dangerous or complex situation.
"I'm looking forward to meeting Korean Christian leaders to discuss the significant implications of the South Korean Government's ban on Christian workers going to Afghanistan."
-
European hate speech laws are ‘dangerous’, says politician prosecuted for Christian beliefs
-
Ex-BBC reporter tells of 'cabal' of journalists who influenced trans coverage
-
Belfast City Council votes again to celebrate abortion after failed attempt
-
NI conversion therapy ban 'dead in the water' after consultation
-
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
-
Why John Stott’s ‘Christian Counter-Culture’ still challenges the church
Most Popular
related articles
South Korea Churches to End Afghan Missionary Work
South Korean missionary groups said on Wednesday they would pull out of Afghanistan to comply with a deal Seoul struck with Taliban insurgents for the release of 19 Christian volunteers held for almost six weeks.
South Korea Draws Praise & Criticism for Taliban Hostage Deal
The South Korean government won praise on Thursday for its part in securing the release of 19 hostages held in Afghanistan, but critics said Seoul may have set a dangerous precedent in directly negotiating with the Taliban.
Freedom for Last Three Korean Hostages
Taliban militants in Afghanistan have released the last three South Korean hostages Thursday after freeing 16 of the 19 South Korean hostages over the last two days in separate rounds of handovers.
News
Faith in difficult times: lessons from 1930s Britain
Architectural historian Steven Brindle talks to Christian Today about the faith that shaped 1930s Britain, the churches that supported struggling communities and what lessons the decade might have for us today.
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.
