The following reports where printed in The Christadelphian:
1981
April
We extract from a letter from Bro. Laurence Cresswell, and from a report he submitted to the Australasian C.B.M. in April, the following summary of recent developments, “Our correspondence circle now embraces 388 Esperantists in 51 countries. The larger numbers are in Poland and Hungary where I was able to meet contacts in 1980 (see The Christadelphian, Oct., p. 363) and some of the more recent responses to advertising have been from Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, U.S.S.R., Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Jugoslavia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Argentina, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Korea, Vietnam, China, Japan. Such a list must surely inspire some to learn the language and become involved in our activities. We acknowledge with gratitude the efforts of the small band in Melbourne and Adelaide; in the U.K. Bro. Gordon Kerslake (251 New Cheltenham Rd., Kingswood, Bristol BS15 4RQ) would welcome enquiries.”
1986
September
… It is only possible at this time to make passing comment on the happenings in Korea, though it is hoped to report more fully next month. There have not been many occasions in recent years when 63 have been baptized on one occasion! But this was the pleasant task of a group of Australian brethren whose work over a five year period in Korea has achieved such a dramatic result. The baptisms followed careful and systematic instruction in the elements of our Faith mainly at the hands of the first Korean convert, with assistance from those who taught him the Truth.
November
THE TRUTH IN KOREA
A brief comment on the remarkable happenings in Korea was made in the September issue (p. 348). The following has been extracted from a longer article prepared for the Australasian C.B.M. Newsletter by Brother David Kingston.
A FEW years ago a Korean who was temporarily living in Australia on business, attended a special lecture in the Sydney Town Hall. He agreed with what he heard. Over many months he attended the Riverwood Ecclesia, indicating his agreement with our beliefs. He pleaded with the Brotherhood to send people to Korea to preach the Truth, indicating that many would respond, and that there were others like him, who believed the Truth . . . He was immersed 18 months ago in Korea. His name is Brother Hyun Kee Roe. Consequently, the South Australian Regional Committee agreed to send some field-workers to ‘test the water’. After about a year’s activity there were three brethren in Korea, the quality of whom was excellent. These brethren disseminated the Truth by making contact with independent Bible Study Groups, and by translating booklets on first principle subjects.
In January 1986, further baptisms took place, including that of Brother Cho, a preacher . . . He had 3 congregations totalling over 300 people. He had gradually advised his congregations of his new views, with 100 leaving. . .
In mid 1985 Brother Cho commenced instruction classes on the first principles (six months before his immersion in January). The classes commenced with about 60 people, but have gradually grown. It was decided to hold meetings at the two ‘meeting places’ where the candidates were learning the Truth. All requesting baptism, together with any interested people, were invited to attend. Overall, some 120 people attended some 12 hours of discussion, which took the form of public answering to questions asked as if it were a baptismal interview. . . . About 80 gathered to go through the B.A.S.F. with doctrines to be accepted and rejected. At the end all who accepted it were asked to indicate and 63 proceeded to immersion.
At the Memorial Meeting 150 people were present, indicating that there still are many more very interested. What a marvellous thing it was to see Brother Cho extend the right hand of fellowship to so many new fellow servants. This meeting was conducted as if it were a meeting in any place on earth. The only exception was the absence of chairs—Koreans sit on the floor. At this meeting our first brother in Korea, Brother Hyun, exhorted all to the new life in Christ. Following a fraternal lunch in the hall we had a Bible study for about two hours on Obadiah, and what that meant in terms of God’s plan in the Middle East.
Our new brethren and sisters do have a very sound basic Bible knowledge and they do really understand the Truth. The possibility for substantial growth remains, with many studying who are not yet ready. Our brethren planned a Bible Study Week in August, when the brethren and sisters plus interested friends met in a conference centre capable of holding 300–400. Here Christendom Astray was to be studied. The brethren translate and print lectures in Korean. They intend to make sure all the brethren and sisters clearly understand the basics, and to ensure any friends wishing to join us also clearly understand.
In Korea there are large numbers of groups of independent Bible students, seeking Truth. A number of these are in contact with our local brethren and some of them are well advanced in their understanding of the Truth, having read Christendom Astray, The Declaration and The Blood of Christ , which are all now available in Korean. Our local brethren, currently in three ecclesias, see the real prospect of six ecclesias soon. In all of this the hand of God is moving. There is no doubt in the minds of all the brethren who have visited our brethren in Korea that our local brethren truly understand the Truth, and that they are as concerned as we are that immersions do not take place for the sake of numbers.
On the occasion referred to, the numbers involved precluded individual baptismal interviews, as presumably did also the multitudes who were immersed following the apostles’ preaching at Pentecost. The circumstances are therefore completely untypical, and the brethren concerned realised that they were having to exercise their own judgement on the conviction of those wishing to be immersed.— Editor
December
…Meanwhile, let us remember that though conscription may not be an immediate threat to most of us, it is an actual and present concern to brethren in certain countries: in Germany, for example, brethren have to register and present their case; in certain Caribbean countries there is national service in which brethren and sisters cannot for conscience sake participate; our newly baptized members in Korea, as well as others in the Far East, have to face hardship under régimes which make little or no allowance for objectors…
1987
May
KOREAN BIBLE WEEK
The four Korean Ecclesias plan to hold a Bible Week at their newly purchased Bible School site in the mountains of S. Korea in the second week in August 1987. They propose to invite some 300 pastors of independent Bible Study Groups to come and hear the Truth of the Bible. They would like the presence of some 20 brethren and sisters from the U.K., North America and Australasia to add credibility to their efforts as Koreans are very suspicious of ‘new sects’. They would also like the fellowship of brethren from other lands, and show the wonderful response to the Truth in their country.
The A.C.B.M. is happy to facilitate this request. Any brother or sister interested in attending is requested to write to The Secretary, Korean Bible Week, P.O. Box 881, G.P.O. Adelaide 5001, S.A., Australia, as soon as possible. Indications are that a 3 week tour may be organised from Australia that would be about A$2500 all inclusive, and which could possibly include a visit to the ecclesias in Singapore and the Philippines en route. Brethren and sisters coming from Europe or North America would meet up with the rest of the group at an appropriate point.— David Kingston
1988
May
LAND OF MORNING CALM
KOREA (“Land of Morning Calm’) is for many no more than an insignificant peninsula looking westwards towards China and eastwards towards Japan. In length and breadth—even in shape—it is not unlike Britain. In the West it is known possibly for only two reasons: as the place where the Korean War was fought in 1950–53; and as the land where Hyundai cars, and many other ‘consumables’ are now made. It is a prosperous country, rapidly closing the gap with Japan in all areas of technological advance.
Down through its long history Korea has been dominated by the pagan influences of Buddhism and Confucianism, a philosophy embracing ancestor worship. Catholic missionaries gained converts in the early nineteenth century, albeit against heavy opposition; today (in South Korea) there is total freedom of religion. Out of a population of some 40 million, 8 million are practising Buddhists, 3.5 million are protestants—Presbyterians, Baptists, Plymouth Brethren, Pentecostals—and 1 million are Catholics.
Attempts to awaken interest in the Christadelphian faith date from the early 1970s. At that time there seemed to be insuperable obstacles, even to the placing of advertisements in newspapers. At about the same time, Billy Graham was achieving great success in his crusades in the cities of Korea and this had lasting results in encouraging many to read the Bible, to leave the official churches, and to set up independent study groups. A member of one of these groups, Roe Hyun-Ki, had been involved in translating and publishing many ‘Christian’ texts, but then he began to question the ‘popular’ Christianity he had been taught.
The story of his visit to Australia on business, his attending of a special lecture in Sydney Town Hall, his baptism in 1985, and the subsequent baptism of considerable numbers of Korean brethren and sisters, was told in The Christadelphian for November 1986 (pp. 428/9); it has also featured in the Australasian C.B.M. Newsletter and in The Bible Missionary . Meanwhile there have been further remarkable developments: approaches have been received from a Campbellite group who, having read of the breach between Dr. Thomas and Alexander Campbell, were looking for a community that had embraced the understanding of Scripture espoused by Dr. Thomas.
A five-hour drive south of Seoul, in the very different environment of the snowy peaks of Songnisan National Park, a site has been obtained to be used for Bible Schools, both for the encouragement of brethren and sisters and for more concentrated preaching work.
In the following, two brethren—clearly moved by their experiences—have recorded their impressions of a corner of the Christadelphian vineyard unknown to most of us. We are also grateful for information received from our Australian brethren.
The calm of the Land of Morning Calm has been broken. Current efforts show every promise of drawing many to a knowledge of the Gospel and we await with excitement further reports. We bear the needs and aspirations of those four new ecclesias to our heavenly Father, confident that He will richly bless their dedicated efforts, increase the harvest, and guide our new brethren and sisters into right ways, growing up into their Head, who is the Lord Jesus Christ.
PIONEERS ON A NEW FRONTIER
AT first glimpse the Office looked quite familiar, though with a no-frills and business-like atmosphere about it. There were amply-filled bookcases and the apparatus of a modest publishing enterprise.
Then a few unusual features were noticed. A bed in a corner indicated that this is not a nine-to-five operation, but that, as with Paul, both night and day see fervent service for the Lord. The open Bible on the desk has Genesis at the ‘back’ and Revelation at the ‘front’, with picturesque characters running vertically down the page. This is God’s Word in Korean, with its unique syllabic script invented by King Sejong the Great over 500 years ago.
We are also reminded that it was in Korea, not in Mainz or in China where modern printing by moveable type was invented centuries ago when Europe was still illiterate.
But here in this office it is not Buddhist, but Christadelphian literature that is in evidence: a superbly printed collection of preaching, expositional and exhortational literature on the Truth to make the heart of any true brother and sister glow warmly. Christendom Astray is there in Korean, reminding us of the supreme effort of Brother Vladimir Doubrovsky in Stalin’s Soviet Union in the 1930s in translating Robert Roberts’ 200,000 word book into Russian. John Marshall’s The New Life , and many other attractively presented works of the Truth have been produced.
From the office window the scene is less familiar to most visiting Christadelphians. Jauntily curving red tile roofs and narrow lanes of the old city of Seoul contrast with the soaring high-rise buildings and stunning traffic streams—vehicular and pedestrian—of this overwhelming mega-city which has grown in population from half a million to ten million in only thirty years.
However, it is the people who frequent this office who are its most encouraging feature. The Seoul Christadelphian ecclesia meets here, but its principal occupant is its most remarkable, Brother Roe Hyun-ki (family name first, Asian style).
Roe Hyun-ki was born in Pyongyang, now the capital of communist North Korea, when the Japanese terrorized the land. Until he was forty he was surrounded by the sights and sounds and terrors of war. Even now, in 1988, the most tense frontier in the world is a mere thirty-five miles away. Indeed, he often visits one of our Korean ecclesias, Chorwon, that actually overlooks the dreaded border.
Hyun was in China when the Japanese invaded. He learned Chinese and survived. He was in Siberia, and knows from bitter experience what the unimaginable cold of minus 40° Celsius is like. He was conscripted by the Japanese army and saw action in the Great Imperialist War (our World War II). He learned Japanese and survived.
He was in Hiroshima, and then Nagasaki, just a few days after the atomic bombs were dropped on these cities in 1945, and saw unspeakable horrors for ever imprinted on his memory. His masters surrendered, and he was freed.
From his youth, Hyun had been influenced by the Bible and found in the Christian message inspiration and strength to survive, and keep a spirit of hope alive in a world of violence and hatred. Now he more earnestly sought God’s way. Through diligent meditation on the Scriptures, he came to appreciate the true Bible hope; that the only solution to the horrors of man’s misrule is the Kingdom of God on earth.
He found his way back to Korea. He went to his own city and found the Russians there. The communists took charge and the second fearful atheist domination began. Around him, multitudes of his fellow-countrymen, especially the Christian minority, were being brutalized. Many just ‘disappeared’. His own parents, and his three sisters, what of them? Brother Hyun says nothing, but winces and makes a motion of ‘cutting his throat’ with his hand. An acquaintance claimed he knew a way through the grimly-guarded “Iron Curtain” from the communist north to the south of Korea. One dark and rainy night Hyun grabbed this man’s
coat and followed him step by fearful step through the night until, miraculously, they saw evidence of the Americans, and realized that they were through. He moved to Seoul, learned English and survived.
Then came the Korean War. Seoul and the whole country were devastated. The communists swept through victorious and the blood-letting began afresh. Hyun, like millions of others, was a homeless refugee once more. At length came the ‘peace’, and Hyun tried to settle down. He married Sister Sarah (as she is today) and they raised their family in a Seoul struggling to rise from the ruins of war.
They became deeply convinced that the true Hope of the Gospel was not to be found in the well-known churches of Christendom. They realized more and more that the Gospel of the Kingdom taught by Jesus and his apostles had been corrupted by centuries of tradition—that the Truth was still there in God’s Word for the prayerful seeker to find ( Proverbs 2 ).
They found that there were some others of like persuasion. With them they worked to build a community that was truly apostolic in doctrine and practice. About five years ago, Hyun was selling textiles in Australia when he met, for the first time, a Bible-loving community whose faith, hope and practice matched their own.
This was that they had been looking for. Heart answered to heart, and the radiant joy and infectious zeal of the four growing Christadelphian ecclesias in Korea today is manifest token enough of the power of the Truth to bring life and hope to men and women of every kindred, people and tongue. Brother Roe Hyun-ki is presently the only Korean member who is really fluent in English. It is patently obvious that the Truth will flourish in Korea even without him. But as the ‘link man’ across the bridge of communication, he is needed.
Brethren and sisters, pray that he and his helpers in this intriguing corner of the Master’s harvestfield may be spared to live and serve him in love, even until he comes.
– Alan Eyre
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
WHEN I first heard that there was a possibility of visiting this far off land during a business trip, my thoughts immediately centred around the possibility of meeting some of the newly baptized brethren and sisters. This part of the world is the concern principally of the Australasian Bible Mission, and they were very happy to make the necessary arrangements for my visit.
The capital, Seoul, can be a lonely place when you are on your own. I recall looking out of the window in my room on the 28th floor of the hotel, seeing the tall skyscrapers and the mountains which surround the city, and hearing the noise from the ever increasing traffic. Yet amongst all the hustle and bustle, I knew that there were brethren and sisters not far away.
On the Saturday evening when I was there, Brother Roe Hyun-ki telephoned. Words cannot describe the pleasure it was to hear his voice. He would collect me from my hotel on the following morning and we would catch the train from Seoul to Inchon where there is an ecclesia of 150. He also asked me if I would give the exhortation.
Sunday morning arrived and I was greeted in the reception by the smiling face and the outstretched arm of Brother Hyun. Before leaving to catch the train, we sat down and talked for a while (in English).
He gave me a Bible Reading Planner and The Blood of Christ by Robert Roberts, both translated by Brother Hyun into Korean (I later found out that he has also translated Christendom Astray, Phanerosis, Elpis Israel , and other works into his native language—an exhortation to each one of us, considering he was only baptized in 1984).
During our conversation, he explained that he had come into contact with the Christadelphians whilst living in Australia. He had attended a special lecture in the Sydney Town Hall and was in firm agreement with what he heard. He was convinced that he had found the Truth and was later baptized at the age of 59.
Returning to Korea, and being the only brother, he was truly isolated. However, he had commenced discussions with a local pastor who had a congregation of around 150 people who met regularly for worship and Bible study. It was these discussions that led the pastor, Cho Sam-soo to the Truth and the waters of baptism.
When Brother Cho left his church, an extraordinary occurrence happened. Most of his congregation said it was his responsibility to teach them his new found faith (if he believed it to be true Bible teaching). With God’s blessing, the next two years saw many of his old congregation embrace the Truth.
There are now four ecclesias in South Korea: two in Seoul, one at Inchon and another near the North Korean border at a town called Chorwon.
Our brethren and sisters in Korea have over 100 interested contacts and preaching takes an important place in their service to God. Two annual Bible Schools have also taken place with the continuing help and support from brethren and sisters in Australia.
Brother Hyun and I arrived at the ecclesia at Inchon to find brethren and sisters (many in traditional Korean style dress) singing hymns informally around the piano; others sat with their Bibles opened discussing God’s Word. Many rushed up to greet us (only four including Brother Hyun could speak English). None had ever seen a brother from England before!
At the entrance to the meeting there are two plaques, one with ‘Christadelphian Inchon Ecclesia’ and another quoting 1 Corinthians 16:13–14 , “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all things be done with charity”. Their zeal for the truth was a joy to behold!
Prayers, hymns and reading then took place before I was called upon to give the exhortation. Brother Hyun had taught me how to say ‘Brethren and sisters, Good morning’ in Korean, so my opening words were ‘Hyungje, Zamae Yurubun, an Nyeons ha sim Nikka’. All smiled (one clapped) when I attempted to utter these words. The rest of my address was of course in English, Brother Hyun interpreting.
Meeting brethren and sisters in other lands can serve as a life-long exhortation. Let us remember our brethren and sisters in South Korea and all over the world in our prayers to our Heavenly Father, ever thanking Him for His kindness and mercies.
– Peter Brown
1990
January
Quite recently a hymn book has been printed in Korea—the result of several years of hard work in translating and adapting English and other melodies and words.
December
Seoul. —We are overjoyed to welcome into the worldwide fellowship, five new brethren and sisters who were baptized on May 2. Bro. Kim Yongtae and his wife, Sis. Im Yongja came to Seoul last year, leaving their apple farm in the hands of a relative, to search for the Truth amongst the thousands of churches in the capital. Bro. Kim traced our Rec. Bro. through the telephone company, having seen a book written by him when a member of the Plymouth Brethren, and after three weeks of full time instruction, asked for baptism. Bro. Kim and Sis. Im, having now returned to the countryside, drive nearly 200 miles to break bread every Sunday, despite living next door to the Presbyterian village church where Bro. Kim was previously treasurer. Bro. Kim Suyong and his younger sister Sis. Kim Sugyong were introduced to the ecclesia by Bro. Tang and his wife Sis. Cho whom they had known from the ‘Navigator’ Christian youth movement. Sis. Priscilla No , daughter of Bro. No Hyongi and Sis. Sarah, has been studying with the ecclesia since it was founded. In all of this we see the guiding hand of our Heavenly Father who has given the increase, and so greatly strengthened the lightstand in Seoul. We pray that such plentiful blessing may continue in 1991. We meet on Sundays at 11 and on Wednesdays at 7. All correspondence please to the undersigned.— No, Hyongi
1991
June
Seoul. —We were greatly privileged on Apr. 7 to receive, through baptism into Christ, Kim Yongnim . Our new sister, her older brother Kim Yongtae and his wife Sis. Im Yongja live in Taegu, 300 km away, but attend Seoul Ecclesia. Since January however a Breaking of Bread has been held on the first Sunday of every month in Taegu too, with Seoul providing the exhorting brother. The baptism was conducted with the help of Bro. Don and Sis. Dot Broadbridge (Adelaide) who spent three weeks with us. It was their fourth visit together, and Bro. Don’s fifth, and this continuing support is deeply appreciated.— Hyun K. Roe
July
Seoul. —With great joy we report the baptism on May 19 of Paek Jinhyon . Our new brother first came into contact with us several months ago after responding to our advertisement in the local telephone directory. We pray for our Heavenly Father’s blessing to be with him on his walk to the Kingdom.— Hyun Kee Roe
December
Seoul. —Our small ecclesia was greatly privileged on Sept. 29 to be able to receive into Christ by baptism Joseph Roe and Kang Kumae. This blessing was increased on Oct. 6 when they were united in marriage. Interviews, baptisms and the wedding ceremony were all conducted by Bro. Choi. We thank the Hague Ecclesia (Holland) for welcoming our newly baptized brother during his period of work at Amsterdam (Schiphol) Airport. We also thank all the brothers and sisters who made the stays of Bro. Chon Sangki and Sis. Kim Sugyong in Australia so memorable for them.— Hyun Kee Roe
1992
December
Songnae. —Due to the previous meeting room of the Seoul Ecclesia having been let to other tenants, and a steep increase in “key money” rates in the capital, new premises have been found half-way between Seoul and Incheon, enabling brethren and sisters living in both cities conveniently to meet and worship together. The new hall is considerably larger than the old and has side rooms to serve both as a Sunday School, and as an overnight guest room for those coming long distances. It is also in the centre of a growing commuter belt with good prospects for preaching. In future all correspondence to Korea should be sent to The Christadelphian Bible Mission in Korea. Location: left 100 meters from south exit of Songnae Station (Seoul-Incheon line), fourth floor of purple-tiled building.— Hyun Kee Roe
1993
October
Seoul. —We thank Bro. John Fitzgerald (Sydney), who spent three weeks here, providing the ecclesia with much spiritual food and leading us in preaching the good news about Christ to the students of a local university. We also thank those ecclesias in the USA who extended such a warm welcome to our Bro. H. K. Tang during his recent visit. We transfer Bro. Joshua Lee to the love and care of the Los Angeles Ecclesia. We welcome Bro. Sonuk Shin and family back to Seoul after five years in isolation in the south west of the country. This has enabled us to start a Sunday School with eight pupils, which is held at 10. Would visitors please note that our new meeting rooms are situated near the Songnae railway station, halfway between Incheon and Seoul, and not near the Seongnae metro station in Seoul itself (new tel. no. 82–32-662–7344). Also, our Wednesday Bible Class has been discontinued in favour of a Daily Readings group in homes on Thursday nights to enable those with children to attend more easily. After seven years during which time Bro. Peter Brown (Coventry) has made annual trips to Seoul, becoming a close and trusted friend, we were sorry to learn of a forced change of employment, bringing these visits to a close, but feel ourselves blessed to have such brethren and thank Bro. Peter for all his support from our ‘early days’ up to the present.— Hyun Kee Roe
1994
August
Hong Kong – On June 5 we rejoiced at the baptism of Joshua Wallace . We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for this wonderful occasion and thank all the brethren and sisters who have visited our small ecclesia and helped by their presence and ministrations. We have enjoyed the company of Bro. Stephen Cox, who is living in isolation in North Korea, who visits when he can and who has been a great encouragement to us.— Andrew Wallace
September
Seoul (Songnac). —With joy we report the baptism on May 15 of Kim Bu Yong , brother of Bro. Kim Su Yong and Sis. Kim Sugyong. The baptism was at the end of a three month visit here by Bro. John and Sis. Carol Fitzgerald and family of Gosford (NSW, Australia), whom we thank for their much appreciated support and preaching activities. On June 25 Bro. Matthew Jamieson (Moorebank, Sydney), son of Bro. Keith and Sis. Jan Jamieson, and Sis. Priscilla Roe, daughter of the undersigned, were united in marriage. Following their marriage Bro. Matthew becomes a member of this ecclesia, and we look forward to his energetic support. We thank the visitors from Australia and Japan who came to Seoul for the wedding. Please note that our ecclesial phone number (82–32-662–7344) is now a fax as well as a phone.— Hyun K. Roe
October
Watford. —We are very happy to welcome as members Bro. Howard and Sis. Margaret Nield, by transfer from Richmond, which sadly closed earlier this year, and to welcome Bro. Mark Vincent back with us from the Seoul Ecclesia at the conclusion of his year in Korea.— Tudor Marshall
1996
February
Kumi. —Following the move of Bro. S. K. Jun and family to the area, we have, with the full blessing of Seoul Ecclesia, been able to form an ecclesia which will now meet together every Sunday, and coordinate preaching in the Kyeongsang North and Kyeongsang South provinces. We have a number of contacts in Taegu and Pusan and hope the formation of the ecclesia will be encouraging to them. The contact address for the new ecclesia is c/o Bro. Jun Sang Ki, 3/1 724–1 Doryang-1-dong, Kumi-Shi 730–021, Korea (tel. [82]-546–456-8148).— Y. T. Kim
Seoul. —We are happy to announce the transfer of five members of Seoul Ecclesia, Y. T. Kim, Y. J. Lim, Y. M. Kim, S. K. Jun and K. J. Son, to form a new ecclesia in Kumi , near Taegu, 150 miles away. We thank them all for their fellowship and support over many years. We shall be sponsoring a preaching campaign in Taegu from Nov. 10–17, to follow on from a study weekend in Seoul. Visitors will be warmly welcomed.— Hyun Kee Roe
SEOUL BIBLE SCHOOL, KOREA: NOV. 9–10
Studies will introduce and continue during the Taegu City Bible Campaign, Nov. 11–17. Taegu (population three million) has a small local ecclesia recently started by two families from the Seoul Ecclesia. The intention of the campaign is to support the new ecclesia, encourage local contacts, and to try and attract local people to enroll on the Korean and English correspondence courses. Activities include high-street literature stands and distribution of bills to shoppers and commuters; evening lectures in English with Korean translation. Studies and other activities on some afternoons. The week will include witness in the nearby market towns of Kimcheon and Kumi, as well as hill-walking and a day trip to the historic ancient capital, Kyongju. The all-in cost of nine days accommodation, meals and travel is expected to be £350 UK or $700 Australian (not including airfares). There are a limited number of spaces and applications should be made as early as possible, and by April at the latest.
1997
January
Moorebank (NSW) —We have had great reason for rejoicing this month with the baptism of our new sister Marj Delamont . Marj was one of the first visitors to our lectures when we commenced our ecclesia six and a half years ago. Recently Bro. Paul Jamieson co-ordinated a visit of about 20 campaigners who visited Korea on a 10 day preaching effort south of Seoul.
March
KOREAN CAMPAIGNS – Campaigns have been arranged at Taegu, Apr. 5–13; and Incheon, Sept. 20–28. Further details next month— Matthew Jamieson
October
Moorebank (NSW) — We are also sad to say farewell to Bro. Huon of South Korea who has been busy translating Christadelphian works into both Korean and Japanese.— Alan Dennes
December
Seoul. —The assistance of campaigners from Australia, UK and USA who came to Korea, Sept. 20–28, was much appreciated. During the campaign week, 70,000 bills were given out to shoppers and commuters by a team of 12. Our thanks to all the team, who worked so hard, persevering through various difficulties including two days of rain. We pray that God will continue to be with us, and that these efforts will not be in vain. We thank Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy Lloyd (Verdugo Hills, CA), Bro. John and Sis. Violet Bounaparte (Singapore) and Bro. Paul and Sis. Pat Wade (Houston) for their encouragement at our ‘Autumn Moon’ Bible School, the week prior to the campaign. We are delighted to welcome Bro. Foster and Sis. Eunice Ankrah-Pambour from Accra, Ghana as members of Seoul Ecclesia, and are sorry to say goodbye to Bro. Andy Turner who moves to Beijing in China.— Hyun Kee Roe
1998
June
BIBLE STUDY AND CAMPAIGN, KOREA: OCT. 2–11
This year’s Bible Study and Campaign Week will be held from Friday Oct. 2 to Sunday Oct. 11: Bible Study and Fellowship, Oct. 2–6; street billing and preaching activities, Oct. 7–10. Preaching seminars will start on the final Saturday, and will be continued by the Korean brethren. Cost for the week is estimated to be W400,000 per person (Au$420; US$285; £174), which includes meals, and accommodation.— Matthew Jamieson
September
On behalf of the Seoul and Taegu Ecclesias, we report with much joy the baptism, on July 26, of Azure (Chang Eun Hyun). Azure first came into contact with Christadelphians following a campaign we held in Taegu in Nov. 1996, and from that time forward has shown remarkable commitment and enthusiasm for the study of the Bible despite opposition from many directions. The baptism took place at a river in the Kimcheon district, north of Taegu.— Matthew Jamieson
1999
June
BIBLE STUDY AND CAMPAIGN, KOREA: OCT. 2–11
This year’s Bible Study and Campaign Week will be held from Friday Oct. 2 to Sunday Oct. 11: Bible Study and Fellowship, Oct. 2–6; street billing and preaching activities, Oct. 7–10. Preaching seminars will start on the final Saturday, and will be continued by the Korean brethren. Cost for the week is estimated to be W400,000 per person (Au$420; US$285; £174), which includes meals, and accommodation.— Matthew Jamieson
2000
May
A youth conference is planned in Korea, July 31–Aug. 5.— Allan Payton
2003
May
Exeter.—Following their move to South Korea we commend Bro. Garry and Sis. Judy Bawdon to the care and fellowship of the Seoul Ecclesia, with our prayers and good wishes for their life and service together in their new surroundings.—DAVID PALMER