From Pandemic to Endemic
At a turning point in world history, with the visit of Pastor Erton Kohler and Pastor Gary Krause, General Conference Executive Secretary and Adventist Mission Director, we will hear what the General Conference’s world mission direction is and how Korean Adventists and believers should respond to it.
In particular, during the three-year period of the COVID-19 pandemic, we seek ways to overcome the crisis in the stagnant mission field and find solutions to “what path the Adventist Church should go” and “what our choices should be” in the era of new change.
- First, please share your greetings to the Adventists in Korea.
It’s hard to believe that it has been almost five years since I had the pleasure of last visiting Korea—for the NSD International Mission Conference. On behalf of the Office of Adventist Mission, greetings and thank you for your continuing passion for mission that is not only blessing the church in Korea, but around the world.
- Coexistence with the COVID-19 virus is becoming more common, with mandatory wearing of masks being lifted in countries around the world. However, new variations are still appearing all over the place, and big and small trends are repeating themselves. Many experts now predict that the COVID-19 virus will continue to coexist with mankind. How is the General Conference analyzing and responding to the global historical transition period of the COVID-19 pandemic and endemic?
At a public health level, Adventist Health Ministries at the GC continues to give guidance about appropriate health practices and procedures in dealing with Covid. The GC also continues to encourage church members to abide by government regulations designed to safeguard public health. From a mission perspective, we see that in some parts of the world the church has actually flourished during this time. Difficult times such as this force the church to think creatively and to increasingly rely on Jesus.
- What do you think the meaning and lessons are that COVID-19 pandemic has left to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its members?
It had taught us how quickly society can change, and we need to be prepared. Our structures, and organizations, and institutions are a blessing, but they are not necessarily permanent, and they can change or even cease functioning. Their only purpose is to support our mission. Our trust is not in them, but in God and in people. The early church grew rapidly without the benefit of physical churches. We are thankful today for church buildings, but we cannot rely on them and they are only one tool for fellowship and worship.
- In the beginning of the pandemic, there were many views that interpreted COVID-19 infectious diseases as apocalyptic signs. In South Korea, in particular, public worship was banned for a while due to the government’s strong ‘social distancing’ policy, and there was confusion, with the number of infected people continuing to rise in churches, and social antipathy against Christianity. If a situation like this happens again in the future, how do you think we should balance our faith and how should we respond missionally?
We should respond humbly, being respectful to political and health authorities, and do everything we can to be a blessing to the community.
5. Now the topic is ‘restoration & recovery‘. It is time to restore faith in all directions, such as worship that was disturbed during the pandemic and reduced mission activities. Just looking at the numbers of evangelism and baptisms right now, they have plummeted since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a leader of the world church, what is your advice on how the Korean church should overcome this crisis.
The Covid Pandemic reminded us of a biblical truth—the church is not a building. Many Adventists got caught in the mindset that church is a place you go on Sabbath mornings to worship—and when those buildings closed, they struggled to deal with the situation. It’s important to have systems in place for small groups to connect physically where possible, but via phone or internet when needed, to keep fellowship and mission alive. Rather than limit our outreach and mission, Covid provides opportunities for us to serve and bless our communities—helping the vulnerable, providing assistance to the elderly, ministering to the needs of the isolated, the sick, and the poor. It also presents an opportunity to reach the wealthier community who may be feeling isolated, anxious, or lonely.
6. Korean society is experiencing a doughnut pattern due to a declining birth rate, rapid aging, and urbanization. Experts are concerned that we will enter a super-aged society in the near future. However, even if the population decreases, our mission must continue. Could you recommend an example of a region in the world that is achieving mission fruits and revival despite aging and urbanization, especially among developed countries?
Elder Köhler has shared one encouraging example. And we’re in the early stages of addressing this challenge in Japan with the Mission Unusual Tokyo initiatve—focusing on starting new groups of believers in that huge city. But I urge you to be of good courage. God has asked us to be faithful in our lives and mission—but converting people is His responsibility. We may not see the baptismal numbers that we would hope for, but the mission is God’s. He is in control.
7. Lastly, please give a request or a word of emphasis to the Korean churches and believers living in the age of infectious disease endemic. thank you.
This is a time for the church to be the church! One of the main reasons the early church grew so rapidly is that in times of sickness and pandemic, Christians would stay in the cities to care for the sick. They modeled the love and compassion of Jesus. I would urge all Adventists in Korea to continue putting Christ’s method of ministry into practice in their daily lives—mingling with people (physically where possible), showing sympathy, ministering to needs, winning confidence, and bidding them to follow Jesus. How we live is just as important as what we teach.
II. North Korean Mission
- What is the meaning of North Korean mission in aspect of world mission, and why is it important? Please speak with the perspective of the General Conference on the reunification of the Korean Peninsula and evangelization in North Korea.
Every year the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research publishes the Annual Statistical Report. And every year we see the same listing for North Korea: “no churches.” So we continue to pray and plan, knowing that God has His own timing and has plans that we don’t know about. But He has invited us to participate with Him in His much larger plan.
It’s so encouraging to see how the NSD and the KUC have kept this as such a high priority. Blessings upon the North Korea Mission department, the Bukbukbuk young people, the North Korea Pioneer Mission Movement, the Priscila and Aquila missionaries, and so many church members who keep praying and giving.
I encourage you to keep preparing. Keep praying, keep training, keep giving, keep staying ready. I would also encourage you to consider who else you can enlist in this preparation. We have many Adventists in places such as Cuba that have strong relations and connections to North Korea, and may be well-placed to join this initiative.
2. The reunification of the Korean Peninsula is expected to become a bridgehead for evangelization in China beyond North Korea. Therefore, it will not only be a simple symbol that the message of the Second Advent will officially be spread to North Korea, the ‘land of frozen land’. What kind of support does the General Conference have for North Korean missions?
The Office of Adventist Mission supervises the Global Mission initiative of the church to start new groups of believers in unreached areas and unreached people groups. We stand ready to support!
3. If you have any words of encouragement or emphasis to the Korean churches and members, please do so. thank you.
First, I want to again thank Korea for being such a blessing to the world church. I’ve had the privilege of meeting PMM pastors working in various parts of the world. I’ve seen them in action, starting new groups of believers. I’ve seen other Korean missionaries serving in some of the most challenging parts of the world. And I’m astounded by the generosity of KUC and its members with the 10/40 Window Mission project. I know that God will bless you for your care and compassion.