Jincheon Jungang Church Pastor: “Don’t criticize, but pray for the believers hit by terrorism.”
2014-02-19 10:29
“Please, before you criticize, first pray.”
This was the appeal made to the Korean churches by Rev. Choi Kyu-seop, assistant pastor of Jincheon Jungang Church, North Chungcheong Province, in an interview with Kukmin Daily on February 17. “Though less than a day has passed since the incident, already media reports are filled with criticisms of the church,” he said. “I hope this incident will not be viewed and attacked as if it were a second Saemmul Church incident.”
“Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is a tourist area visited by many people every year, and our church members went there not to do mission, but just for travel,” he explained. “The Foreign Ministry did not send us any official document stating that the area was restricted to travelers, and we had no way of knowing it was a dangerous area.” Moreover, he said, “This pilgrimage to the Holy Land was one of the events commemorating the church’s 60th anniversary, and was prepared from two years ago. The members’ purpose was to get in touch with God’s history in the Holy Land and strengthen their vision, so for several months before departure, they prepared for the pilgrimage through Bible study.”
This day was one of intense activities by the Jincheon Jungang Church members, starting with worship at daybreak, and continuing with the meeting of the countermeasures committee, an intercessory prayer service, and finally an emergency prayer meeting at 8 p.m.
“The church presently is emphasizing prayers and help for the bereaved families,” Rev. Choi said. “The church members have affirmed their strong ties and joined their strength to pull through this difficult situation.” In conclusion, he requested, “Since this incident could happen to any Korean church, above all I hope everyone will continue your concern and prayers for those still in the Sinai peninsula, until they return home safely and their physical and mental wounds are healed.”
Reporter Lee Saya (Isaiah@kmib.co.kr) from Jincheon, Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Click here for the original article in Korean
