August 18, 2008

Greetings in the name of our Lord !

Participants in PC(USA)'s summer orientation for new mission personnel. K.J. is seated in the front row.

My husband K.J. and I traveled to the United States last month. K.J. attended the orientation for new mission co-workers in Louisville, Kentucky, and Chicago, Illinois. The Louisville sessions were for Presbyterian mission workers only, and the almost two weeks in Chicago were an ecumenical orientation that focused on cross-cultural issues. The whole thing lasted from July 7 through July 25. During that time I took a vacation and visited my three sons’ families in New York and New Jersey. Since returning to Korea on July 20, it has been very hot and humid here. I hope the weather cools down soon.

K.J. took early an retirement package from his chemical company and joined me here in Korea in January 2005. Since he arrived, he has been helping me with my ministry whenever he was available. God gave an opportunity to K.J. to serve Him through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and he participated in the summer orientation of PC(USA) mission co-workers last month. He is now appointed as a mission co-worker and is a teammate in my ministry. We are so grateful to God for giving us the chance to work together in support of women’s ministry here in Korea.

K.J. told me that when he visited the national offices of the PC(USA) in Louisville for orientation, one staff member thought K.J. Bae was a woman because the bulletin board at WM welcomed “ K.J. Bae – Women’s ministry in Korea.” Well, this is an exciting opportunity for him, as a Korean-American male, to serve women clergy and the Women Ministers Association (WMA) of Korea.

The WMA of PCK (Presbyterian Church of Korea) offers a ministry of compassion to battered women and run-away juveniles. It also empowers ordained women ministers by offering them counseling and continuing education. I hope K.J.’s new role as a team member for women’s ministry opens a new door here in Korea.

Last June, the WMA staff asked us to teach an English class so that women ministers could develop their leadership role and get more involved in international activities. K.J. started an English Bible class every Friday afternoon for women ministers. Currently, seven women attend his class. We thank to God and the PC(USA) that we can work together and support each other. We are asking your continued prayer for our ministry to glorify God and His Kingdom.

The General Assembly of the Women Ministers Association was held at DaeCheon, 105 miles south of Seoul this June.

WMA held its General Assembly from June 16 - 19 at DaeCheon, which is located about 105 miles south of Seoul. This year’s theme was “Women’s ministry building community in Christ.” We attended the GA and shared our thoughts with them about how to build up a community in Jesus Christ.

More than 800 women are ordained as ministers but currently very few positions at churches and church-related organizations are available for the clergywomen. The majority of ordained women ministers are still waiting for a call. WMA is continuously seeking for more opportunities for ordained women to serve. Last May 19, WMA visited various social welfare centers such as “Organization for Free Meals” for low income families, and the “Center for Migrant Workers” for people from Third World countries.

WMA members visiting social welfare center to discern their call for working in ministry with the dispossessed.

Twelve ordained ministers who wish to serve that area attended this program, and we also joined them to visit these places. We discussed with the directors of the centers how they run their organizations, how their service lets them experience and share God’s love, and what the qualifications for the jobs are, etc. The visit was valuable for the women ministers who participated and helped them learn how the social welfare system runs. We are working with those women ministers to find meaningful work situations for them. Again, we are asking for your continued prayers for women ministers for empowering them and our ministry here in Korea.

Peace and Grace,

Sook Hee and K.J. Bae

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 101