This year marks the 10th anniversary of passing of Rev. Yeohae Kang Won-yong (top photo, 1917~2006), who opened to the churches a new path, departing from the conservative-progressive dichotomy and focusing on Christ alone. Though Rev. Kang has left, his message lives on. Throughout his life, he was a preacher, a fact that he never forgot; and this aspect is vividly revealed in the memorial anthology of his sermons, “May the Stones Cry Out!” (photo; Christian Literature Society of Korea), which came out this August 15.
The anthology contains 48 sermons arranged according to the periods of Rev. Kang’s life: “In the Vortex of History” (immediately after Liberation~1960s), “By the Word Alone” (1970s), “Pulpit Pilgrimage” (1980s) and “Looking Toward God’s Kingdom” (after his retirement).
Kyungdong Church Pastor Emeritus Park Jong-wha said, “This anthology was made by selecting, from among Rev. Kang’s lifelong collection, the sermons in which he speaks with a prophetic voice for each era, desiring to cry out in the wilderness like John the Baptist.” He added, “At the time, Rev. Kang said he wanted to shout that he was the voice in the empty field, corresponding to the feeling of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus.”
The foundation “Together With Yeohae” is holding a series of memorial events for Rev. Kang on August 17. These include a visit to his grave at South Han River Family Cemetery (11:30 a.m.), a memorial concert at Kyungdong Church (7:30 p.m.) and a publication ceremony (9:00 p.m.).
Reporter Sangmok Shin (smshin@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Full Story in Korean:
세상을 깨운 ‘빈 들의 외침’은 살아있다: 암울한 시대 기독교적 통찰로 예언자적 명설교… 8월 17일 강원용 목사 10주기
