Changwon First Church (Rev. Choi Jun-yeon) in Gyeongsangnam-do, has supported the remodeling of six small not-yet self-reliant churches in Gyeongsangnam-do region since 2008. Their “remodeling” goes well beyond simple painting, wallpapering and getting new furniture. It’s a complete make-over, repairing and renovating both the interior and the exterior of church buildings. Changwon Church started out by helping small churches, and now other churches have joined it to do much larger projects.
Rev. Choi Jun-yeon (62) said, “We began by remodeling the sanctuary, because it is the place that should shine.” When a remodeling expert joined the church, it expanded its support budget.
Changwon First Church follows several principles in helping small churches. They ask for nothing, not even a glass of water. They themselves find the work that needs to be done. The church’s purpose is to pay all costs, and to do the required jobs before being asked.
Soon nearby Gimhae First Church (Rev. An Yong-shik) and Changwon Holiness Church (Rev. Wu Jae-seong) joined in the project. Both of them, like Changwon First Church, belong to the Korea Evangelical Holiness Church. Rev. Choi said, “If one large church supports just one small church a year, their efforts could renovate 50,000 churches in 10 years. We hope more churches will join in this endeavor.”
The photo shows Milyang Daegok Church before and after the remodeling in 2011.
Reporter Pyeong Seon Jeon (junbs@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo courtesy of Changwon First Church
Click here for full story in Korean
Larger Church Helps Remodel Six Small Churches, Neighboring Churches Join for Big Projects
2016-02-03 14:29
