As the season of prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula continues, the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study Web page for July 22, 2013 focuses on ministry in South Korea:
On September 20, 1884, Dr. Horace Allen came to Korea from his mission assignment in China, responding to the need for missionaries in the “Land of Morning Calm.” Rev. H. G. Underwood came in April 1885 as the first missionary sent by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. to Korea. Since then many generations of Presbyterian missionaries have served in Korea, and God has worked miracles in this land.
The Korean church grew at a phenomenal rate, struggled with the people for democracy, worked for peaceful unification of the two Koreas, and led the development of health and educational systems. The PC(USA) accompanied the Koreans every step of the way. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Korea celebrated its centennial year in September 2012, and PC(USA) leadership participated in thanksgiving to God just as their forebears had 100 years ago.
Presbyterians do mission in partnership, and PC(USA) is supporting partner churches and institutions in Korea. Many presbyteries, congregations, and individuals continue to serve together with Korean brothers and sisters to bring hope and abundant lives. Presbyterian World Mission supports Korean churches not only as they minister in Korea but also from Korea into other regions with critical needs.
God’s promise to multiply the seed sown by faithful servants “thirty and sixty and a hundredfold” (Mark 4:20) certainly has proven true in Korea, and we rejoice that replications of this miracle will continue.
—Dr. Simon and Haejung Park, former PC(USA) mission co-workers, South Korea
Pray for our Partners/Partnerships including:
Keimyung University: Dr. Ilhi Synn, president
Kwangju Christian Hospital: Dr. Byung Ran Park, M.D., director
National Council of Churches in Korea: Rev. Oh Sung Kwon
Presbytery Partnerships: Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse, Presbytery of Los Ranchos, Presbytery of New Harmony, Seattle Presbytery, and Sierra Mission Partnership, with the PCK
National Capital Presbytery, with the PCK and the PROK
Presbytery of Florida, with Yeosu Presbytery
Hanmi Presbytery, with Jeonju Presbytery
A prayer from the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study:
Lord, strengthen, guide, and bless our Korean partners as we labor together to bring your love to those who need it most. We also thank you for those who serve and those who have served in Korea. May their obedient efforts continue to bear fruit in the lives of many. In your name we pray. Amen.