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Before coming to the United States, the Chungs and the Kims did not know each other. Although both are from Korea, and both have been on a similar spiritual journey toward discipleship, neither couple knew of the other. And neither couple ever imagined that they and their children would be going back to Korea as brothers and sisters in one faith to live out a life of Christian love together.

How the Chungs and the Kims came to our community is a story in itself. Neither couple lacked for anything materially. Yean is a trained chemist and pastor, and Jong Ho a lawyer. Their wives, Min and Yeon Sug, are both schoolteachers. By all counts, they are successful. But they wanted more. They wanted their faith in Jesus to translate itself into an everyday life of discipleship. They were tired of “churchianity,” and like hundreds of other Koreans who have visited our communities over the past years, were seeking to make Jesus’ teachings of love, justice, and peace a reality here and now.

The Chungs had been living in New Jersey before visiting our Fox Hill community. Yean was working on his Masters in spirituality, but upon visiting was struck by how empty his studies had been. Jesus had become an idea, far removed from experience. But in community Jesus was real again. Here was genuine love between his followers, and he and his wife realized how badly they lacked in this love—even for one another.

The Kims came to our Platte Clove community straight from Korea. They wanted to see what living in Christian community was like. What they saw, however, was the true state of their own souls—how sinful they were and how bankrupt their good Christian selves really were. As Jong Ho admitted, he was not the “honorable gentleman” he and others perceived him to be. He and Yeon Sug realized that they needed first to be saved from themselves before they could think of sharing life with others.

Both couples came to the same realization: they were sinners. As enemies of God they were in desperate need of Jesus and his cross. Their lives had to become crucified; they needed redemption—to be revolutionized, to be changed.

This realization led the Chungs and the Kims to seek Jesus anew. And like the first believers, their hearts were cut and were ready to turn away from everything that was contrary to God’s rule and reign. They came to experience anew the saving power of Christ’s love, a power that not only frees one from sin but overflows to others in heartfelt unity and community. “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17).

A few weeks ago, on Pentecost, five hundred of us gathered at our Maple Ridge community to witness the reality of this new creation through the baptism of the Chungs and the Kims. Despite language and cultural barriers, we understood and felt their confession of faith. “믿습니다. I believe… in God the Father…믿습니다, I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son…, the forgiveness of sins…믿습니다, I believe in the Holy Spirit...in one holy Christian church…” Yes, we all believed and believe with them that God’s transforming power is a reality.

In July, the Chungs and Kims return to Korea. What will they do next? Where will they live? How will they make ends meet? How will they forge a common life together and pool all their resources together? What about the issue of mandatory military service? And how will they spread the message of the Kingdom of God? Only God knows. But I believe, 믿습니다, that God will lead them.

After their baptism, we celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the Chungs and Kims all together. This meal of remembrance became a meal of true unity—a fulfillment of Jesus’ deepest longing: “Father, I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me” (John 17:23). Jesus promised that wherever two or three are gathered in his name, he would dwell in their midst. The Chungs and the Kims go back to Korea with the assurance of this promise. For the power of God’s Spirit fills and unites and empowers all who repent and believe. May it be given that countless more experience the same. “The promise is for you and your children.”

 

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Responses

hello,

I enjoy reading your articles and check your website almost weekly. The one thing that bothers me, not only by this last article, is that you seem to see your way of living the christian religion as the only "right way". God has not planned for everyone to live in your communities. There are many other churches and organisations, who may have varying viewpoints on some subjects, but who are just as good christians, just as committed and giving their best to live out God's plan. I'm sure that you are aware of this and do not intend to give one this impression. It would be very interesting to hear from other perspectives or to hear about other churches/organisations, with whom you have contact.

With warm regards. Daniela Reidick