House of Love Update from Korea WMU

House of Love is a retirement home for pastors and their wives and female missionaries being built by Korea WMU.  We received the following update and request for prayer from KBWMU:

Praise God that He has helped KBWMU to keep building the House of Love without any accidents.

Thank God that KBWMU was able to introduce the House of Love project and to promote it at the Korea Baptist convention meeting on September 22.

KBWMU asks that you pray that God would inspire many pastors and their wives and church members to help accomplish this project.

Building construction is expected to be finished at the end of October.

KBWMU writes: Pray that God will provide what is needed. We trust His timing and His way. Please be with us in prayer.

 

Korea Prayer Requests – September 2009

KBWMU had their 55^th  Annual Meeting August 17-18, 2009. New officers were elected and have started to work. Pray that they would be filled with God’s Spirit and His wisdom and power to accomplish well the task God has given for the coming year.

Missions Education: The Christian education department at DaeJeon Baptist Theological Seminary will open a class for missions education this semester. The Missions education class is elective, has been taught irregularly, and the last one was in 2005. KBWMU has encouraged the Seminary to offer this class again and wants to let students know what missions education is and how much it is needed. Through the class, KBWMU also wants to find good personnel resources for their missions camp which is held every January. Soonsil Back, who attended Southern Seminary in Louisville and interned with Kentucky WMU, will be teaching the class this semester.

Please pray for missions education in Korea:

• For students to clearly understand why missions education is needed
• That students would be committed to missional lifestyle through this course
• That many students would be involved in KBWMU missions camp as volunteer teachers the next January
• That God will give Soonsil His wisdom and ability to teach with His heart.

House of Love: We are dreaming that retired pastors, pastors’ wives, and retired female missionaries can spend the rest of their life in this House of Love filled with God’s love and grace. Construction commenced on May 11 with putting our trust in God. The building is going up day by day but we are still in great financial need.

Please pray for the House of Love:

• For the completion of the building of the House of Love within planned period of time, by Sept. 2009.
• For the workers’ safety, their diligence, and doing their best when they work.
  That fund raising would go well according to God’s grace. Pray that the financial needs will be filled for completing the work.
• That many people who have heard of this construction project will gladly open their hearts and join in giving for the House of Love.
• That contributors and those who have made pledges would be blessed abundantly, that they may be able to give more during the rest of their life for God’s glory, and that all their needs would be filled by God’s provision.

North Korea: Please keep praying for North Korea.

• Pray for the human rights of North Koreans, that they may be free from oppression and poverty.
• Pray for the food and freedom needed in N. Korea.
• Pray that the children in N. Korea may grow healthy with enough food.
• Pray for President Kim Jung Il and other political leaders to make right decisions for world peace and for the sake of people in Korea.

 

Prayer Requests for Korea from a Korean Sister

The following prayer requests come to us from a Sister in Christ in South Korea. 

 

South Korea is now experiencing very difficult situations in many areas like politics, society and the issue of nuclear weapons in North Korea. In recent years suicide has been spreading like an epidemic throughout South Korea. The suicides of of well-known figures such as TV stars and even the former president has negative impact on those who are suffering from the same temptation. North Korea is still threating the world as well as Korea and other neighboring countries with deadly weapons. We surely need many prayers.

 

Thank you for your prayers. God will listen as He promised.

 “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”  (Matthew 18:18~20)

 

Please pray for

- President Lee and South Korean politicians that they may have right understanding on this issue of nuclear weapons in North Korea and God’s wisdom to deal with this wisely.

- The spirit of suicide to leave from this land.

- Those who are suffering from temptation of suicide that they may overcome it and live life with strength and courage.

- The human rights of North Koreans that they may be free from unjust oppression and severe poverty.

- The food and freedom that North Koreans desperately need that they may live with the dignity of man God gave.

- The kids in North Korea to be provided enough food that they may grow soundly with balanced nutrituion.

- For President Kim Jong Il, leader of North Korea, and North Korean politicians that they may make right decisions for world peace and for people in Korea and those around it.

 

Korea Prayer Requests – May 2009

Pray against a new rise in “internet suicides” in South Korea. Police said they will step up efforts to clamp down on on-line cafes used to plan group suicides, following a spate of such deaths in recent weeks raising fears of a social epidemic. Police recently interrupted a suicide attempt at a local hotel room in downtown Seoul involving five people who gathered after meeting through an Internet cafe. The group had devised their plan through e-mails and instant messenger services. The Web site’s manager was booked on suspicion of abetting in the suicide attempt. In the past three weeks, 14 people have been found dead in apparent group suicides, mostly in hotel rooms and in cars parked in secluded areas. The latest incidents follow earlier high profile celebrity suicides stoking fears of copy-cat suicides. Pray against this evil trend and pray for the local churches and believers to know how to reach out to these desperate Koreans who have lost all hope.

Volunteers from a church in Memphis, Tennessee will be ministering in South Korea and a last frontier country in August and September.  Pray for wisdom and discernment as plans are being made for strategies in reaching out to the lost in these areas. Ask God to prepare each volunteer for the opportunities to share the good news with hundreds of people and that many will receive Christ. Ask that doors may open for future, on-going ministry after the team leaves.

 Pray for South Korean authorities as they develop safety inspection procedures to protect SK from swine flu.  Health authorities said they would implement precautionary measures for domestic pork, as people who traveled to the affected regions could possibly have carried the virus home and infected local livestock. The Agriculture Ministry said relevant government ministries were prepared to implement stronger measures in case of an outbreak in Korea. Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A influenza, which regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs and is transmittable to humans.

Continue to lift up networking plans for two Baptist workers who are mobilizing a key partner church to adopt an unreached people group in a closed country. Two Korean couples are already on the field in a third country preparing to enter their target country by this summer. Other personnel from the partnering church will soon follow them. Pray that this UPG team will be able to secure visas and find appropriate housing and schooling for their children as they begin to minister in this very restrictive nation. Pray that they will quickly establish meaningful contacts with their new people group.

Pray for South Korean churches and believers as they try to reach out and minister to “international couples,” Koreans married to non-Koreans. The divorce rate among these international couples has been growing in recent years.  The number of divorces between international couples surged 30 percent to 11,255 last year, accounting for nearly 10 percent of marriage breakups in Korea. Nearly 83 percent of those couples divorced less than five years after their marriage – a sharp increase from 15.9 percent in 2002. Marriages between Korean husbands and foreign wives had a higher divorce rate than those where the husband was foreign, indicating that marriages between Korean men in rural areas and women from other Asian countries are difficult to sustain. The most common reason for divorce was personality differences, followed by economic problems. Adultery, family feuds, and physical or mental abuse were also cited. Pray that this social issue will become an open door of ministry for believers in South Korea.

                                    May Birthday and Anniversary Calendar

 17         Joe and Ann L Anniversary

 

Korea Prayer Requests – April 2009

With the recent rise in the number of Buddhist adherents in Korea, spiritual awakening among the churches is a great need. Pray that Korean churches and believers will catch a fresh vision to reach out to their Buddhist friends and neighbors with the Good News. Pray that they will be faithful and effective in sharing their faith and that many Buddhists will come to Christ.

Centrifuge 2009 is coming this June and about 160 teenagers are expected to board a plane or bus to head for a week of fun, adventure, and spiritual growth with kids their own age. Many are not yet believers.  Pray for safe travel, for kids to grow and commit to God’s will for their lives, for souls to be saved, and for leaders to be anointed and equipped for this ministry.  Ask God to do a new work and miracles in each participant from the youngest kid to the oldest adult.

The 500,000 blue-collar workers on the island of Jeju are ethnically Korean but possess their own distinct understanding of the spirit world, folk religion, social culture, and linguistic dialect. The farmers, fishermen and especially the haenyo women divers prefer to be left alone. Spiritually, Jeju remains a resistant stronghold. Shamanism mixed with cultural Buddhism holds at least 98% of the population in utter darkness. The exclusive call of Jesus Christ is seen as a complete betrayal of what it means to be from Jeju. Pray that the Spirit will burden believers with compassion to share the gospel with every islander in a way that removes their fear of losing either personal or cultural identity. Pray that rapidly reproducing churches can be started and sustained among these islanders. Pray that workers can victoriously face the spiritual battles encountered among the many strongholds.  A  person of peace is a critical need to reach the blue-collar workers of Jeju Island. Pray that a Jeju believer, who speaks the dialect fluently, will become burdened to return home and help reach his people for Christ. The IMB workers on the island ask you to pray for this partner to come quickly and to assist in conducting basic evangelism, discipleship and implementing a church planting movement strategy.

Sue met an elderly woman at the traditional farmer’s market on Jeju. Her heart is gradually opening to the witness of Christ.  Sue gave the lady a ride home, met her sick husband, and gave him a Bible to read. Sue has also met four other ladies and one man at the market. Pray that each one will be saved.

Volunteers from a church in Memphis, Tennessee will be ministering in South Korea and a last frontier country in August and September.  Pray for wisdom and discernment as plans are being made for strategies in reaching out to the lost in these areas. Ask God to prepare each volunteer for the opportunities to share the good news with hundreds of people. Pray that many will receive Christ. Ask that doors may open for future, on-going ministry after the team leaves.

Two IMB workers are mobilizing a key partner church in adopting an unreached people group in a closed country. Two Korean couples are already on the field in a third country preparing to enter their target country by this summer. Other personnel from the partnering church will soon follow them. Pray that this UPG team will be able to secure visas and find appropriate housing and schooling for their children as they begin to minister in this very restrictive nation. Pray that they will quickly establish meaningful contacts with their new people group.

 

Korea Prayer Requests – March 2009

1. Thank you for praying last month for the team of medical personnel from Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital in Busan, Korea who ministered to the physical and spiritual needs of children and families in Bangladesh the end of February. Give thanks for safe travel and good health. Pray that this ministry trip will result in much spiritual fruit.

 

2.      Melissa, a Filipina, is married to a Korean man. On an elevator in Seoul with her five-month old daughter, Melissa met a Baptist worker and another Filipina, Cecil, who is also married to a Korean man. Melissa’s face brightened when the two women spoke her dialect and shared how close they had lived to her home city in the Philippines. Information was shared with a desire for future contacts. Melissa is not a believer, but attends a church with her husband. Her mother-in-law lives with them and Melissa is limited in her Korean language. Both Filipinas share similar adjustments and struggles. It was a God-ordained moment of encouragement for both young mothers. Pray that these two women can become good friends and Melissa will become a believer as Cecil shares the Good News with her.

 

3.      The Korean job market has been greatly affected with the global economy decline. International and Korean workers are being laid off. Those who keep a job often experience a decrease in wages. Tough decisions face many families and yet opportunities arise to discover what really matters in life. Pray for believers to demonstrate a life of faith and trust among their lost family members.  Ask God to use the present trials and crisis to awaken Koreans to their spiritual need for a relationship with Christ.

 

4.      During Spring break TCKs will be traveling home from boarding school, back to their former countries where they lived growing up and to countries where they are moving next. Pray that each TCK will make new, special memories and grow in faith to see how God is working in their lives according to His plans. Pray that they will finish this school year well and be diligent and responsible young people. Pray also that they can discern God’s will for their lives and be willing to follow it no matter what comes their way.

 

5.      Three families will be going on stateside this summer. As they finish medicals, travel plans, and responsibilities on the field, ask God for good health, discernment, and wisdom. Pray for them as they speak and share what God is doing and make decisions about colleges. Pray for one family making a move to a new assignment that adjustments will go well.

 

6.      On March 12 a group of leaders will meet to pray and brainstorm concerning plans for reaching the lost of Korea. What needs to be done to complete the task and what needs to be stopped or adjusted to be more effective in our efforts? Pray for minds and hearts to discern and know God’s plans.

 

7.      Over 500 Korean students graduated from seminary last month. Ask God to provide the right place for each to serve and minister and to prepare them to be humble servants who can impact their communities with Christ’s love. A few of the students are committed to overseas mission work. Pray for their preparation and plans as they discern which people group and location to choose.

 

1. Thank you for praying for the homeschoolers retreat held last month.  Forty-six homeschooling families came together for standardized testing and specialized classes for parents and  students. Give thanks for safe travel to the conference for the 19 US volunteers and 150 school-age children and teaching parents. Give praise for the encouragement and equipping each one received to be able to return home with joy and confidence to press on in the task of homeschooling.

                                     March Birthday and Anniversary Calendar

 18        David and Hannah W Anniversary

29        David W

 

 

 

Korea Prayer Requests – February

1. Being the caregiver to his 15-year old adopted brother leaves one US 27-year old man searching for advice on parenting. Their father was killed in a plane crash during 9-11. Their mother became extremely depressed and took her life the day before this past Christmas. The older brother is teaching English at a university in Seoul and studying Korean. The younger brother is attending a small international school, but is quite withdrawn and reluctant to talk with his older brother. The brothers will be in Korea for one or two years. Pray for a second contact with these brothers to be arranged and that believers can encourage and assist them during their adjustments to a new culture. Pray that both young men will be saved and begin a journey of faith that can shared with their lost friends and family. Pray for comfort for them in the loss of both parents and feelings of despair and hopelessness.

 

2. Tests! Every student needs them, but homeschoolers get to travel to a different country to take some of their achievement tests. This month, 46 homeschooling families will come together for standardized testing and specialized classes for parents and students. Pray for safe travel to the conference for the 19 US volunteers and 150 school-age children and teaching parents. Pray that all will come healthy and stay free of sickness during this conference. Pray for encouragement and equipping for each one so they can return home with joy and confidence to press on in the task of homeschooling.

 

3. During February a team of medical personnel from Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital in Busan, Korea will minister to the physical and spiritual needs of children and families in Bangladesh.  A Baptist worker will accompany the team to serve as an interpreter.  Pray for safe travel and good health, loving, servant’s hearts, grace to deal with culture shock and much spiritual fruit.

 

4. Korean workers are going. Recently in one last frontier country a visiting worker was there doing a media project and ministering. He arrived very sick from food poisoning traveling through a neighboring country. A Korean nurse came and installed an IV in his hotel room and one Korean man laid hands on him. Others joined in praying for his healing. The next morning he woke up healed and ready to go to work. Wherever Koreans go, God has work for them to do. Pray that Koreans will continue to go to dark places and be used wherever and however God chooses. Ask God to open doors for many more workers to go and serve short-term and long-term in projects and work among unreached people groups.

 

5. Workers from neighboring countries often come to Korea for medical needs. Recently, one worker had a tumor and kidney removed. Another worker had surgery for a detached retina. As expected, each one hopes for a quick recovery so they can return to their ministry. Pray for healing, good diagnosis and medical care to be received. Pray for those living in the city as they reach out with encouragement to meet their needs.

 

6. Companies in the 13th largest economy, Korea, dismissed more workers than they hired in December for the first time in five years. More layoffs are expected in the coming months. In the past, many have sought better jobs and opportunities outside their country. However, as one pastor recently commented, “Where can you go that is better? This is a global economic crisis. It is time to embrace the changes and take the opportunities the Lord is opening up for ministering among your own people?” Pray that believers will be bold and faithful to share the hope that is in Christ alone and testify of His sufficiency in trials.

 

7. A new church is born! Just a few weeks ago, International Christian Fellowship held its first worship service with 32 people in attendance. Pray for Dr. Dan Armistead, of Seoul International Baptist Church, who is leading this new fellowship on a school campus. Currently, Seoul has only two truly international congregations and none in the area of town where the school is located. Please pray that this new service will reach out to the expatriates living in the surrounding community.

 

                                    February Birthday and Anniversary Calendar

 

16        Deborah S*

23        Bob H

 *TCKs

 

Korea Prayer Requests – January 2009

 

1.     Slowly walking along the sidewalk, the Korean man using a cane found it hard to communicate in English. Yet he desired to ask the American woman for help. He shared that he was living on the street, although his clothes and cleanliness did not indicate this to be true. He was about 35 years old, if you were to guess his age. Then just about 20 feet further down the same street, a dirty elderly woman beggar with knotted hair, wrinkles and torn and tattered clothes was sitting on the sidewalk with her hand held out for food or money. One young Korean woman gave her a large piece of sweet pastry. She smiled and thanked her. As winter comes, beggars face difficult days and come in all sizes, conditions and needs. No matter what the circumstances that has brought them to this place of need and begging condition, God sees and understands. Pray that people will reach out in God’s love to the beggars on the streets of Korea and churches will begin ministries for these people. Ask God to save them from the cold and hunger but most of all from their sinful condition with new life that comes only through Him.

 

2.     Taking classes to get a higher degree so that she can secure a better paying job is not easy for a young mother in Korea. She rises early to get her five-year old daughter ready for class, prepares herself to leave and begins her busy schedule. She is pregnant again and struggles with tiredness and nausea. Her marriage is weak and she worries about the future and hopes the Lord will answer her prayers. Often lonely and insecure, this young mother and wife meets with the mother of a childhood friend and shares her burdens and concerns. Pray for this woman to have a good pregnancy and that her marriage will be strengthened. Pray that the Lord will meet her deepest needs for intimacy with Him and for renewed hope and faith. Ask God to give wisdom to the older woman as she listens and counsels this young woman.

 

3.     Sarah is a graduate of California Baptist University and has been teaching in an English institute in Seoul. She loves her kids and has seen much progress in their English skills. She just returned to the States and will be job hunting. Pray that she will find a good job quickly and that she will know where to live. Pray for wisdom in finding a good church, discipleship group and accountability options.

 

4.     Mr. Kim, age 32, drives a tour bus and is the father of a lovely daughter. Recently, a tumor was discovered on his lower leg muscle. The doctors are hoping to remove the cancer that seems to be contained in this one area. Pray for his surgery to go well and a good recovery. Pray that he will not be crippled but have full use of his muscles and leg after the surgery. Pray for God’s healing and grace and that he will be a testimony to his lost friends of God’s amazing power and love through this physical crisis.

 

5.     A Vietnamese couple is ministering to Vietnamese who are working in Korea and those married to Koreans.  Cultural differences and stress can create challenges that often bring a heavy load. Pray for this couple to find good friends who will counsel and encourage them in their family life and ministry. The winter months are often depressing and sickness like colds and flu are common. Pray for protection, spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally over this couple and their children. Ask God to give much fruit to their diligent labors and open the hearts of Vietnamese workers to believe in Christ.

 

6.     A team of medical personnel from Wallace Memorial Baptist Hospital (WMBH) in Busan, Korea will soon be going to Bangladesh to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of children and families there.  The WMBH has been making volunteer medical trips to developing countries since the 1980’s.  A Baptist worker will accompany the team to serve as an interpreter.  Please pray: (1) that team members show a loving servant’s heart, (2) for God to be glorified through this volunteer medical trip, (3) members experience a sense of humor and lots of grace to deal with culture shock, (4) for a safe journey to/from Korea; and (5) for team members’ physical health. 

 

7.    The big exam for high school students was in November. Your score can determine what educational privileges and opportunities await you in the future. Many families in Korea place great value on this test and their child’s score. What would you do if your score were not acceptable? Can you settle for being average or normal? Will your parents treat you differently if you do not perform well on this test? What about kids who are brilliant but not good test takers? Pray that teenagers in Korea will surrender to the Lord and trust Him for their future. Pray that they will be content to be all God has designed them to be and pursue careers that He leads them to do and honor Him in all things.

 

8.    2009 – will it be a year of hope or despair? Koreans face severe challenges with the economy, government internal conflict, declining church growth and relationships with neighboring countries. Yet the crosses that light up the sky throughout the country each night remind them that God has answers and is in control. Pray that Christians in Korea will be people of hope and grow in their boldness to take that everlasting hope to their neighbors, friends and co-workers who have no hope nor know the Prince of Peace in their lives.

 

9.  TCKs (Third Culture Kids) enjoy many great experiences living overseas. When it is time to enter college, the decision is harder for some because they have become more comfortable in their new culture than in America, their home culture.  Being near relatives you haven’t seen very much during your growing up years, finding a school with the course you are most interested, choosing a large university or small, tuition concerns, and many others can be factors they need to consider. Pray for TCKs to discern His will for a college choice and to grow in skills needed to live away from their families. Pray for a good senior year and meaningful closure when it is time to leave.

 

 

                                    January Birthday and Anniversary Calendar

 

2          Natalie S*

4          Ann L

8          Bill and Shelley F Anniversary

11        Shelley F

 

*TCKs

 

 

 

Korea Prayer Requests – November

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another..” (Romans 12:10 NKJV).   Recently Lucy W returned to Korea to celebrate her 80th birthday with her many Korean WMU friends. For years Lucy walked beside these women serving the Lord with a dedication and fervency that brought much fruit. Today the Korean WMU is strong and active fulfilling their goals for strengthening women in missions involvement throughout Korea and the world. When words of congratulations and encouragement were given, the bond of love and commitment were so evident. Pray that Christ will bind together the servants of the Lord in Korea to press on with fervency and dedication for the years ahead. Pray that more women will desire to give their lives in mission service and teach others to follow His call also.

 

Give praise that nearly 300 Koreans have been assigned as IMB career missionaries. The Korean Council’s goal is 1,000 by the year 2010. Korean Baptists will hold a major world missions conference in April 2009 in Dallas. The event will feature presentations by at least 100 international missionaries of Korean ancestry. IMB president, Dr. Jerry Rankin, Loren Cunningham of Youth With A Mission, and Rev. Daniel Lee, pastor of the largest Baptist church in Korea, Global Mission Church, are featured speakers. Begin praying for plans for this significant missions event.

 

Pray for Pastor Lee’s ministry in Pohang City, near Pusan, to youth from broken homes. Korea has a growing divorce rate and Pohang City has the highest divorce rate in the nation.  When parents in urban areas divorce, the children often go to live with their grandparents in the country. For the last ten years, Pastor Lee’s church has reached out to troubled teenagers, especially those who have gone to jail.  He explains that 40-60% of these incarcerated teenagers are from divorced families and are being raised by their grandparents in rural areas. The youth are often disadvantaged and lack educational opportunities. Pastor Lee envisions providing a youth center to minister to the youth and conduct English camps. He asks for prayer for his church’s ministry to the youth in Pohang City and that God will provide resources and workers to impact lives.

 

In 2007 there were 13,407 suicides in South Korea. Every day 36 people kill themselves. One writer has termed this as a suicide virus that is spreading in Korea. Teenagers feel stress from educational pressures, spend less time with family, yet a large amount of time on the internet. With 21.5% among 100,000 committing suicide, Korea has the highest percentage of suicides of any country in the world.  A spiritual crisis is upon the nation as people seek answers for their daily problems. Pray that people will turn to Christ who forgives sins, gives new life and is the answer to all our needs.

 

Two teams of Koreans and non-Koreans reach out to refugees in South Korea.  As they teach English and through random acts of kindness, God is using these volunteers to show His love and care to those who are in need and longing for someone to care. Pray for the refugee ministry of Global English Ministry and for more people to become an active part of reaching out to refugees in South Korea.

 

The Korea Baptist Convention installed a new president, Hu Dong Han (Mr. Han), on October 13.  Pray for Mr. Han as he gives godly leadership to the Korea Baptist Convention. Pray for continued good working relationships between the Korea Baptist Convention (KBC) and the Korea Baptist Mission (KBM) during this convention calendar year. Give thanks for the vision and focus of these vital Baptist entities and pray that together they can accomplish God’s will in Korea and through Korean missions efforts.

 

Orphans were withdrawn, sad and frightened to stand before the church group last year. Now, after a group of volunteers has invested their time and gifts to reach out in love and compassion to these kids every Saturday, they can stand with confidence to sing before the fellowship and have a smile and light in their eyes. Pray for many of these orphans to come to faith and grow in Christ so they can in turn reach out to others just as God sent people to them in their hour of need. Ask God to lead believers to be faithful to minister to orphans.

 

At the small local neighborhood grocery Mr. and Mrs. Kim sell their few items from early in the morning to late at night. The change is made from coffee cans filled with various coins. They laugh and they bow with gratitude when one comes in to purchase even one item. They have little time for religion as daily work requires all their time and energy. Pray for many just like them living in South Korea and ask that in their daily lives

someone will come to tell them of His good news and show His love to them.

 

The Korean-American Partnership Crusades were held October 19-27.  Twenty-seven volunteers from six states came and were divided into teams to work with 12 churches.  Give thanks for travel safety and open doors of ministry. Praise the Lord for the 585 professions of faith. Because you prayed, volunteers came to serve in some of the most strategic areas last month and lives were touched for the Kingdom.

 

Seoul International Baptist Church is considering a new church start targeting international business people in the Yunhee-dong community of northwest Seoul. This is an area with a large number of expatriate families whose children attend Seoul Foreign School. In an effort to reach seekers and business people, it is anticipated that the service will be held on Saturday evenings. Please pray for the team that is pursuing this service as a two-month pilot project. Pray that adequate facilities can be located and that it will be successful in reaching those seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

Pray for Phil and Helaine H and Sue P who will be finishing temporary assignments and moving back to Jeju. Ask God to bring those former relationships back into their paths quickly and fruit to be seen from former planting of the Good News. Ask God to establish the work of their hands and to encourage them as they transition back to work on the island of Jeju.

 

Praise God for sending eleven volunteers from Parkway Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN to Korea October 11–16. The volunteers joined Calvary Baptist Church in Seoul and missionary Ellen H for a joint evangelistic outreach. The tract “Steps to Peace with God” was shared with 1,613 individuals.  As a result of the Holy Spirit speaking through the Word, 1,378 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Saviour. Please pray for these new believers and for Calvary Baptist Church as they do follow-up through small group Bible studies.

 

The 2008 Advent Calendar Prayer Guide is coming! For the past several years the Pacific Rim Region has produced an advent prayer guide featuring stories from around the Pacific Rim. This year’s calendar will soon be available for download from the regional web page – http:// www.go2pacrim.org.

 

The Pacific Rim Summit is November 5-7.  To register or to learn more, visit the website at www.takeit2therim.info <http://www.takeit2therim.info/>  or e-mail at contact@takeitotherim.info. We hope you will join us as we “Take it to the Rim” this month!

 

November Birthday and Anniversary Calendar

12        Connie S

13        Ellen H

24         Andrew H*

 

*TCKs

 

 

Korea Prayer Requests – October

Last month you began praying for the annual Korean Baptist Convention meeting that met September 22-25.  The Convention elected a new leader, Hu Dong Han (Mr. Han), who begins his term of service this month and will serve until the next Convention meeting.  He has three main goals: (1) to work with mission churches in the most unreached areas (fishing and farming areas); (2) to help younger pastors develop into strong leaders; and (3) to see the construction plans move forward for the new Convention building to be built.  Pray for Mr. Han to be a wise, discerning leader.

 

Thank you for praying for the Korean Foreign Mission Board’s renovation project  of 22 apartments to provide for the housing needs of its representatives. Although at least 40 workers were involved in the 10-week project, there have been no accidents or injuries.  A small dedication ceremony was held on September 30. Pray for furloughing Korean missionaries who will soon enjoy having a reliable place to stay where they can experience physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal during their months of home assignment.

 

Upon completion of the missionary apartments renovation project, the Korean Foreign Mission Board will hire a dedicated caretaker to manage these apartments.  Ask the Lord to guide the KFMB trustees in the selection process of the caretaker, who will have many varied responsibilities.

 

This month, an additional construction project begins related to the missionary apartments:  a children’s playground. The construction will take approximately two weeks. Pray for continued safety for the workers involved. Give thanks for provision of this place for missionary children to play and make new friends.

 

Thank the Lord of the Harvest for sending eight Lifeway volunteers to Jeju Island for two weeks early this month . They will be working closely with four different Baptist churches. Pray for interpreters to be enlisted to assist the team to do street evangelism and college ministry during the day and house to house visitation to share Christ in the evening. Lift up Frank H who is handling the logistical arrangements. Claim many souls for the Kingdom through this volunteer effort.

 

Because you prayed, volunteers from Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana are coming to serve in the Korean-American Partnership Crusades in some of the most strategic areas this month. Lift up David C who is coordinating the volunteer teams. Pray for the volunteers and the participating Korean churches to have good organization and thorough preparation.  

 

Continue to pray for Phil and Helaine H and their family during their temporary assignment in the Philippines for several months before returning to Korea next month where Phil serves as Strategy Coordinator for the Jeju Team. The family has settled in well in their short-term location. Pray for their David, who is in his first semester of boarding school, and for Helaine as she homeschools the three younger sons. Pray for many opportunities to witness for Phil as he works with a translator to tell the Waray-Waray people about God’s love and purpose for their lives. 

 

In the U.S., Angela Kim, a Korean consultant for both national and Texas WMU organizations, spoke recently about a three-year agreement to develop Korean-English missions educational materials, “Most Korean churches are very much interested in missions today but they have not had the framework for ongoing missions education or materials where the children can grow [by] learning about missions. The concept is new to them and has been very well-received.” Kim is serving as editorial coordinator of the Korean curriculum project. A pilot project in 2007 focused on preschoolers and children. After one year of children’s bilingual missions resources being made available, Mission Friends and Children in Action organizations in Korean Baptist churches in the U.S. grew significantly. Give thanks for this visionary partnership and pray for continued growth in missions organizations in Korean Baptist churches. (BP Sept. 18, 2008)

 

The 2008 Advent Calendar Prayer Guide is coming! For the past several years The Pacific Rim Region has produced a prayer guide featuring stories from around the Pacific Rim. This year’s calendar will soon be available for download from the regional web page – http:// www.go2pacrim.org.

 

Pray for Everlove Baptist Church in the city of Taejon to be a model missions-focused church among other churches in the Korean Baptist Convention.  Praise the Father for the 550 Korean Baptist missionaries and their families and for the 12,000 Korean missionaries of all evangelical denominations serving around the world. Pray for efforts to train and equip new missionaries being sent out.

 

When Bobby Welch, national strategist for the SBC Executive Committee’s Global Evangelical Relations emphasis, visited South Korea last month, he had the opportunity to meet with several evangelical groups, including a gathering of around 1,000 young Baptist leaders. Welch also visited with American troops in South Korea. God used him to witness to an Army sergeant from a Muslim background who prayed to receive Christ. Give thanks for this person of influence recognizing his spiritual need that only Jesus can fill. Pray that he will grow strong in his new faith and be a bold witness.  (BP Sept. 23, 2008)

 

The Pacific Rim Summit is November 5-7.  To register or to learn more, visit the website at www.takeit2therim.info or e-mail at contact@takeitotherim.info. We hope you will join us as we “Take it to the Rim” this fall!

 

                                    October Birthday and Anniversary Calendar

 

2             Bethany S*

8          Rachel H*

11        David H*

20        Pam C

28        Phil H

 

*TCKs