Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

“Churches should share laborers’ problems and help them heal their hearts”

2018-11-14 16:01

A “60th Anniversary Mission Symposium” (photo) was held by Yeongdeungpo Urban Industrial Mission (UIM; Rev. Jin Bang-ju, general secretary) on November 13 at the UIM building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

Yu Heung-hui, president of the Kiryung Electronics Co. Branch of the Korean Metal Workers Union, participated in the event and talked with pastors and workers about shared concerns. “I remember how the UIM ministers and church members held candlelight prayer meetings and reached out to us,” he said. “When you’re having a hard time and someone takes your hand, you feel thankful.”

Branch President Yu's connection with UIM continued through a factory visitation program called “Reading the Bible With the Soles of Our Feet,” and later “Nodongja Pum” (laborers' hearts), a psychological counseling and healing group. The UIM accompanied the laborers as subjects (not objects), offering them comfort and solidarity. The mission was based on the faith that Christianity could be a way to strengthen the position of laborers, including those in irregular status, in Korean society.

Labor Mission Director Hong Yun-gyeong first made connections with the UIM in 1993 as a company laborer. She has worked for UIM since 2011. Recalling the numerous prayer meetings she has held at different workplaces, she said, “Christian solidarity means being with others, accepting them just as they are, and protecting them warmly to the end.”

The participants at the Symposium agreed to form a nationwide network linking church circles with labor circles. This network will have the responsibility to inform the churches about laborers’ problems, encouraging them to get involved and act in solidarity. “Let’s take up ‘labor’ as a theme within the church, in worship and Bible study,” Director Hong said. “I hope churches around the country will talk with local laborers about the problems they face, and help them heal their hearts.”

Reporter DongWoo Kim (love@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)

Original Article in Korean:
“교회가 노동자 문제 함께 나누고 그들의 마음 치유하는데 앞장서야”: 영등포산업선교회 60주년 심포지엄

Popular Articles

Total Mission Kuki
Yoido Full Gospel Church

Banners

2013 WCC Myungsung church