Winds of Change sweep through Korea

The 33rd Constituency Meeting of the Korean Union Conference convened at Sahmyook Central Church from December 7 to 10, 2009. The roughly 700 attendants voiced their desire for reformation and revival of the Korean Adventist church through votes. Speaking on glorification, Dr. DaeGeuk Nam reminded participants to, “humble ourselves because all of us are before God’s presence.”

“We developed this far [during his session] only by God’s grace in spite of a worldwide economic crisis” Pastor Hong Myung Kwan said before thanking fellow officers, directors and executive committee members for their hard work.

Commending the Korean Adventist church, Dr. Jairyong Lee, NSD President, said “God has blessed the Korean church so the Korean Adventist church stands as one of the most outstanding Unions in the world.”

“I have worked for the Lord doing my given tasks, but this is too much of a burden for me to carry,” said the newly-elected Korean Union president Pastor Kim Dae Sung before the former NSD Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director continued, “however, I will depend on God and be loyal to Him”. Pastor Hong, the outgoing KUC President, asked delegates for their wholehearted support of the newly appointed president.

Pastors Choi Young Tae and Son Ki Won, Secretary and Treasurer will remain in their respective positions for a further term. The following departmental directors were elected: ChunKwang Hwang as Ministerial Association Secretary, SunGi Kang as Sabbath School and Personal Ministries director, JungTae Yoon as Education director, KyungChoi Min as Children’s Ministries director, WonSang Kim as Youth director, DeokHyun Om as Communication and Media director, HyuJeong Cho as Publishing director, SeonMi Kim remains as Women and Family Ministries director, WonUng Cho remains as Health Ministries director and WonShik Shin remains as ADRA director.

The reorganization of the Union Conference into a Union of Churches was one of main items of discussion this session. The KUC Reorganization Research Committee reported the findings of their study. They explained the need for reorganization as well as its process. Delegates at the Session fully agreed with its necessity and approved to organize a special committee.

In a separate meeting on December 15, 2009 SiYoung Kim, current director of the Language Schools was appointed as the new Korean Publishing House director.

We wish the new Korean Union Conference Administration God speed and ask for them to remain in your prayers as they make this transition.