On June 7, 2014, Dr. Jairyong Lee, Northern Asia-Pacific Division president, and several NSD departmental directors visited Gimhwa Adventist Soldiers’ Church under the guidance of the Korean Union Conference military ministries director to encourage the church pastor, the church members and Adventist soldiers.
The attendance of Mr. Kwon KiTae, a military chaplain of the army division, made the occasion even more meaningful. Major Kwon is not an Adventist, but a Buddhist monk. “Gimhwa Adventist Church is a good influence on the stable emotions of soldiers through very sound and beneficial mental education and other good services. I will continuously promote and cooperate with the church for its mission activities in the army,” said Kwon.
As Presbyterian and Methodist soldiers freely worship on Sundays, he allowed Adventist soldiers to attend the local church on Sabbaths by providing official papers. Moreover, he encouraged church members by saying that someday an Adventist minister may be able to be a military chaplain like ministers of other denominations if Gimhwa Church continues to work diligently on military ministries.
Dr. Jairyong Lee expressed his appreciation for Major Kwon for his support and Gimhwa Church members for their ministry. During his sermon on Psalm 121, he shared his military experience. Dr. Lee said to the Adventist soldiers in attendance, “Do not forget that you are Adventist soldiers who have been sent to the military on a mission to further God’s gospel work. Therefore, be a good example and a living sermon so that other people in the military can become Jesus’ disciples.”
Pastor Kim ChoonKu, the pastor of Gimhwa Church, conducts psychological and emotional programs for soldiers with official permission from the army. He also has plans for performances and health seminars for soldiers. Although the Adventist church is not an official religion in the Korean military army, when we continuously pray and evangelize, we will see the first Adventist military chaplain in the near future.