Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

Two AGK Gather in “Prayers for Union of Assemblies of God of Korea”

2014-10-17 16:58

Assemblies of God of Korea (AGK) Yoido Full Gospel (Moderator: Rev. Lee Young-hoon) and AGK Full Gospel (Moderator: Rev. Ham Dong-geun) came together on October 16 at the Osanri Choi Ja-shil Fasting Prayer House in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, for “Prayers for Union of Assemblies of God of Korea.” If these two denominations merge their 4,000 churches and 1.8 million believers, they will become the third largest denomination after PCK Hapdong and PCK Tonghap.

AGK president Rev. Cho Yong-gi, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, said in his sermon that through the Pentecostal movement AGK should give hope to the Korean church and the world church. He said, “Korean society is experiencing extreme division and conflict in politics, the economy, religion, the military and all other aspects… In the midst of total crisis, this is the time for AGK to carry out a strong Pentecostal movement to heal the Korean people and show them new hope.”

He continued, “When AGK is divided, it is merely one of many small and insignificant denominations. If it is united, it will be the largest denomination, second only to the Presbyterian Church… It is a particularly good time because Rev. Lee Young-hoon is now the executive director of the Christian Council of Korea. When AGK leads with the flag of Pentecostal movement, the Korean church as well as the entire Korean society will rise again.”

The two Full Gospel denominations, which share legitimacy through both Rev. Cho Yong-gi and AGK Incorporated Foundation, have been continuously discussing their merger. Their strong will for union was demonstrated also by the attendance at this gathering of both denominations’ moderators and major figures.

Moderator Rev. Lee Young-hoon said, “AGK is now more than a denomination of Korean Pentecostal movement; it is becoming a global denomination… Both our denominations are from the same root and share the same history and doctrine. The time calls us to become one, and we should work together to bring about a good result.”

Moderator Rev. Ham Dong-geun said, “The Lord told the church to become one, and Paul told us to strive to keep our oneness. I anticipate that the two denominations will unite amidst rejoicing at the next general assembly.”

Assemblies of God of Korea was established in 1953 and underwent drastic growth with the support of Assemblies of God USA and the strong revival of Yoido Full Gospel Church. Since the 1980s, however, they have been through repeated divisions and mergers due to members’ differences of opinion. In 2011, the two denominations set up a merger committee, and have agreed to unite as soon as the debt of AGK Full Gospel, which owns the general assembly building in Seodaemun-gu, is cleared.

Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr) from Paju, with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)

Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok from Paju


Click here for the original article in Korean

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