Dear Korean United Methodist Pastors and Congregations,
The Korean United Methodist Church is a pioneer in history. The history of the Korean immigrant community and church in the United States began with the Korean United Methodist Church. Among the first 102 Korean immigrants who sailed on Gaelic in 1903, half of them were from Naeri Methodist Church in Incheon, Korea, which was established by the first Methodist missionary to Korea, Henry G. Appenzeller. On November of the same year, the first Korean Church, Christ United Methodist Church, was established in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since then, all of the first Korean churches founded in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago were United Methodist Churches.
The year 2003 marked the 100th anniversary of the Korean immigrant community and the Korean church. Moreover, it was the 100th anniversary of the Korean United Methodist Church. In celebration of this historic centennial anniversary, the Korean United Methodist community, with the support of the General Board of Global Ministry (GBGM), decided to build a church overseas. Mongolia was chosen. That’s how the Mongolian mission began. At that time, there was no mission by the United Methodist Church in Mongolia. Thus the Korean community opened the door to missions in Mongolia.
The first UMC mission in Mongolia started with Hospice Ministry as Helen Sheperd, the first UMC missionary, began to provide medical and spiritual care for terminally ill patients. Soon afterwards, several Korean missionaries were commissioned and sent to Mongolia by GBGM and the mission expanded by their dedicated ministries and the continuous support of the Korean churches, resulting in the establishment of 2 mission centers and 7 churches. In 2012, Mongolia became an official Mission of The United Methodist Church by the action of GBGM and a Bishop was assigned by the Council of Bishops. Currently, four missionaries are serving in Mongolia: Helen Sheperd, Sun-Lae Kim, Dong-Min Seo and Hye-Yun Hong. And Chin-Hee Cho and his family will join the Mongolian mission in July, 2015.
The Mongolian Mission has special meaning to the Korean people. Ethnically they share some similar traits. Both Koreans and Mongolians display Mongolian blue spots when they are born. Appearance-wise they look very much alike in many aspects. Historically, both peoples are deeply intertwined as well. Mongolia invaded Goryeo (Korea) numerous times in the 16th century and brought much suffering, harm and deep sorrow upon the Korean people for a long period of time. Consequently Mongolians were unwelcomed and undesirable people to Koreans. Humanly speaking, they deserved to be retaliated upon for the deep pain they have caused the Korean people. Also, Mongolia was a communist country a couple of decades ago. However, the Korean United Methodist Churches are now paying back Mongolia with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are bringing the light of the Gospel of faith, hope and love to the Mongolian people in return for the darkness of suffering, disgrace, and oppression that they brought upon the Korean people. Conquering wrong with love is the way to reverse the history of animosity. We believe that it pleases the Lord and that it is the way of following God’s will. It is the way to demonstrate the true power of the Gospel. Indeed the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the amazing power of salvation. It compels and enables us to love Mongolian people with our hearts as we build up God’s kingdom on earth.
On a denominational level, the Mongolian Mission was begun and is led by Korean churches and has brought fresh excitement to the expansion of our mission. It also demonstrates the fervor and commitment to mission of the Korean churches. The Mongolian Mission must continue to advance. During the last ten years, Rev. Jong-Sung Kim, former Regional Executive Director of Asia, with his exceptional gifts in mission, has laid down firm ground for the Mongolian mission. Now, Rev. Myungim Kim as the newly appointed Regional Executive Director of Asia and Rev. Myunghoon Ahn as the President of the Partners of the Mongolian Mission of the Korean United Methodist Church will lead us to the next step.
When we think of the Mongolian mission, we’re reminded of Colossians 1:6, “That (Gospel) has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” We feel that this verse speaks of the KUMC community, which has initiated and continues to develop the Mongolian mission.
With your prayers and support, we will march onward in strength. We ask for your prayers and your support in the name of Jesus, who is the Lord of the mission of the church. Please be partners with us for the Mongolian Mission.
Thank you and may God richly bless you!
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park, Mongolian Mission
Rev. Myunghoon Ahn, President of the Partners of the Mongolian Mission
Rev. Myungim Kim, Regional Executive Director – Asia