Korean witness

This past Sunday I attended a Korean Church in the Atlanta area that was dedicating its new facility. It was a wonderful service, rich in music, dynamic in proclamation, inclusive of generations and genders in leadership. Over the years I have known many deeply devoted Christians of Korean heritage in the US. The situation in their homeland, however, is heart-wrenching. Because of the division of North and South Korea, loved ones are forcibly separated for years, perhaps a lifetime. Tensions have mounted between the two in recent months due to North Korea's sinking of a South Korean vessel. This on top of the aggressive attitudes from the North about nuclear weaponry, and a massive military that thrives despite the destititution of the populace.

South Korea, in distinction also from the north, has many Christian people. Some of the world's largest Christian congregations are in Seoul and the surrounding territory. Presbyterian denominations have proliferated, along with others. But North Korea is different. It is a totalitarian state, a communist regime which does not countenance religious conviction. So politically, economically, spiritually and geographically, the Korean people are divided. Further, the entire region has been embroiled in many bitter conflicts, including of course the Second World War and the Korean War, so that there is mutual distrust between Asian neighbors.

The Christian movement is growing in many parts of Asia, due in no small part to the sacrificial missionary efforts of Korean Christians along with others. The prayers of Korean Christians for their region of the world are unceasing. Their efforts to share and demonstrate the gospel are tireless. It is a gospel of peace and reconciliation in an atmosphere of ideological polarization. The rest of us in the Christian community have the opportunity and obligation to join our Korean disciples in earnest prayer for God's peace, which surpasses all human endeavors and undertstandings.