On the afternoon of July 31, the History Committee (Kim Jeong-hun, chair) of the Presbyterian Church of Korea ? Hapdong (Rev. Park Mu-yong, moderator) held a “Worship Service of Thanks for Restoration of Status,” celebrating the reinstatement of Rev. Ju Gi-cheol (photo below) as a pastor of the Presbyterian Church, 77 years after his dismissal. At the service, held at Sanjunghyun Church in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Rev. Ju’s name and position were restored to the denomination’s historical record.
400 some believers joined in penitential prayer as they remembered Rev. Ju’s spirit of dedication, which led to his martyrdom. Some participants brushed away tears as they looked at the page in their program filled with Rev. Ju’s life chronology and his vivid photo in black and white.
Rev. Ju’s grandson Ju Seung-jung, the pastor of Juan Presbyterian Church, spoke in behalf of the martyr’s family. “The Lord God and Rev. Ju Gi-cheol, looking down from Heaven, must be rejoicing at this worship service,” he said. “I hope that in future, through the History Committee, the next generation will receive and learn from Rev. Ju’s legacy of faith.”
Reporter Choi Ki-young (ky710@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok
Full Story in Korean:
예장합동, 77년 만의 주기철 목사 복권·복적 감사예배
Related Article:
Rev. Ju Gi-cheol’s Status Officially Restored After 77 Years
