Church Planted in South Korea

January 15, 2008 - World Missions Department
Categories: Womens Missionary Band, World Missions Department

On January 13, 2008 the Church, in the town of Iksan, made it to the country of South Korea. The Prophet Isaiah said that the Lord would hiss unto the nations and they would come with speed swiftly. For the people of the Iksan Church this prophecy was fulfilled. Having no knowledge of the Church they have lived holy lives before the Lord.

Pastor Choe and his wife heard this hiss while they were praying to find a church whose doctrine equaled the holiness way they were living. Via internet this dear pastor made contact with our National Overseer of the Philippians. A wonderful relationship developed! As Brother Orcino shared with them the message and doctrine of The Church of God they knew their prayers were answered.

When God moves He moves quickly! Bishop Ard was planning for LPD Courses and National Conventions in India when he received news of the potential for a work in South Korea. It was decided that it would be appropriate to go through South Korea on this trip to meet with Pastor Choe and his church.

Bishop Ard, Dupre and Orcino were met at the airport in Incheon, South Korea by Pastor Choe and after a 3 hours bus ride arrived in Iksan City.

After a good night rest meetings began. On Sunday morning Bishop Dupre ministered to the congregation. His message about the Church was accepted by all present. This three point message introduced the people to Christ as founder and builder of the Church, the Church’s physical existence past, present, and future here on earth and the Church’s exclusivity in that it is not a compilation of all Christians or Christian organizations.

On Sunday afternoon Bishop Orcino preached concerning the mission work of the Church. He expressed the need for the Lord’s Church to reach the whole of Asia as well as the entire world.

Sunday night Bishop Ard blessed the congregation with a message about Evangelism in the Church. He emphasized the importance of holding to pure doctrine if the Church hoped to experience real revival. All of the messages were received and were a great blessing to the Iksan Church according to Pastor Choe.

Monday morning we enjoyed an excellent breakfast with the pastor and his family. After breakfast pre-organizational meetings were held. Questions were asked and answers given. After some time Pastor Choe asked us what did we think of the meetings? We replied that we were satisfied to which he responded that he also was satisfied. Plans were then made for an organizational service for Monday night.

Service began with songs of praise and worship. Pastor Choe spoke to his people about our meeting during the day. They were satisfied with his decision an expressed that they would follow him.

He invited Bishop Dupre to bring a short message. Preaching from Ephesians 6:10 Bishop Dupre encourage all to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. After the message Bishop Ard came forward selected a recording clerk and informed the people that he was aware that much work had been done to bring us to this point. With Brother Orcino’s help Pastor Choe had informed the people of the teachings of The Church of God to which they had already agreed that they believed them and would practice them. Declaring the Church officially ready to receive people into membership Bishop Ard invited those ready to join to come forward.

Pastor Choe and his wife came first and received the covenant then, by fours the others came until 25 had received the covenant of membership into the Church. Each as instructed by the interpreter responded literally “I WILL” in English.

What a great move forward for The Church of God in Asia! Continue to pray for these precious people, their pastor and his family. They are eager to learn as fast as they can to be able to reach the people of South Korea and beyond. Pastor Choe expressed a great desire to have a missionary to come either short term or long term to assist them with the work. Let us pray that God will move on someone’s heart to go!