From the director

Korean-centered ministries in the PC(USA)

… For all of you are one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28d)

The 218th General Assembly (2008) approved an initiative to Grow Christ’s Church Deep and Wide. In the Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/PW ministry area, we are focusing on growing the church in diversity. We have seen growth in Korean-American Presbyterian ministries. Twenty years ago there were fewer than 200 Korean-American ministries in the PC(USA). Today there are 403 Korean-American ministries, including new church developments, Bible study fellowships and congregations.

One such congregation is the Korean American Presbyterian Church in Sumter, S.C., where the Rev. Tae Su Cheong is pastor. I visited the church in early 2008 on the occasion of their 24th anniversary. This congregation is one that I will never forget, as it is a multicultural Korean congregation. What is a multicultural Korean congregation? It is a congregation made up of different races and cultures that is primarily centered in the Korean tradition. The church is near Shaw Air Force Base, and many of the members were stationed in Korea following the Korean War and met their spouses there. These families are now stationed in Sumter. The church has members who are Korean, African American and European American. One of their newest ministries is an English language Men’s Bible Study for many of the European-American and African-American husbands who do not speak Korean. It is a fascinating, faith-filled congregation.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a better place because of the racial ethnic and new immigrant members in our midst. We are growing the church deep and wide in diversity.