Key points:
- The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church announced a bold commitment to adopt and financially support every one of the 140 United Methodist global missionaries.
- They propose financial support of at least $100 per month, per missionary, for at least three years — financial gifts totaling more than $500,000.
- The idea came from the Korean Association's executive leaders' meeting on May 1. They discussed how to navigate the future and the direction of Korean churches' ministry and mission.
The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church announced a bold commitment to adopt and support 140 global missionaries through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, including the 16 newly commissioned during the May 2 morning plenary session of the General Conference.
They propose financial support of at least $100 per month, per missionary, for at least three years — financial gifts totaling more than $500,000.
The idea to adopt and support the missionaries emerged from the Korean Association's executive leaders' meeting on May 1. They discussed how to navigate the future and direction of Korean churches' ministry and mission.
The Rev. Chang Min Lee, pastor of Los Angeles Korean United Methodist Church and president of the Korean Association of The United Methodist Church, also mentioned the May 1 vote that eliminated the language prohibiting the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”
"While we recognize that yesterday's vote will cause some confusion and crisis for Korean American churches,” he said, “we will continue to pray and work to move forward to lead the mission of The United Methodist Church in the providence of God, who is 'greater than all' (Ephesians 4:6)."
Lee also mentioned that crises are nothing new. "However, through the crisis,” he said, “we have found new opportunities. It became a jumping board to break through any given situation for advancement.
"We want to turn our crises into opportunities with the missional commitment to concentrate the energy and passion of Korean churches on mission."
Korean churches have long been known as champions of prayer and mission in the denomination. They have taken essential roles in Global Ministries' four Asian mission initiatives, such as Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Vietnam and other worldwide efforts.
Lee said this financial commitment will further strengthen their partnership in mission and ministry.
"We Korean churches owe a lot to American missionaries, who taught us the grace and love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “Now, it is time to return the grace and love of Korean churches' spirituality and passion for mission to the missionaries of The United Methodist Church."
Roland Fernandes, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR, called the Korean churches' commitment uplifting and exciting.
"This is an exciting example of collaborative partnership in mission by a group of churches," Fernandes said. "The denomination faces a significant challenge with tightening budgets. I feel very uplifted and excited about it. This sustained commitment provides me with a great sense of hope for the future of our church in mission."
The Rev. Sun Hyung Jo, pastor of First Korean United Methodist Church in Wheeling, Illinois, said he has struggled to find an answer for missional directions and strategies after the main constituents of the Association of Korean United Methodist Mission left the denomination. This decision of the association to support 140 missionaries could provide that answer.
“What a time it is. God gives us an answer we have been waiting for,” he said. “My church has 12 classes; each class will choose and support its own GBGM missionaries.”
The Rev. Hyok-In Kwon, pastor of Korean United Methodist Church of Santa Clara Valley, California, said the commitment will build and shape Korean churches in The United Methodist Church.
“It will work as a tool of strengthening and reinforcing relationships not only with missionaries, but also with our denomination of connectionalism,” Kwon said.
The Korean Association of The United Methodist Church consists of 240 Korean churches, with 205 Korean congregations, 35 English congregations and 874 clergy. Of these, 230 pastors serve Korean congregations, 570 pastors serve cross-racial/cultural churches, and 52 are in extension ministry — including a bishop, district superintendents, and staff of general boards and agencies.
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“We don't know what difficulties will come to Korean churches after this General Conference,” said the Rev. Chongho James Kim, pastor of Flushing First United Methodist Church in New York.
“Although our Korean church is a minority within the denomination, we believe that the precious decision of this Korean association will challenge and encourage the denomination to focus on its purpose of existence,” he said.
Kim said he prayed it would be a stepping stone toward the church's future.
“We are at a crossroads in decision-making,” he said. “Will it be a stepping stone or a stumbling block to open the future in our denomination? I pray Korean churches to be a stepping stone.”
Bishop Hee-soo Jung, the leader of Wisconsin Conference and president of the Board of Global Ministries, said he highly valued the Korean association’s decision.
“I am thrilled to see Korean churches’ partnership, commitment and reengagement to the church's mission,” Jung said. “It is an expression of our long-standing passion for our mission. This passion will redirect our church into who we are and how we see God’s kindom such a critical time.
“This commitment is the embarking of a new day. I think that’s a shifting moment, and we are celebrating our future church together.”
Kim is director of Korean and Asian news at United Methodist Communications. Contact him at 615-742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.
