In the introduction of this system, laypersons active in the church’s social environment mission department played a big role. Deacon Nam Gi-eop (photo; director of the Institute of Land and Liberty), a member of the department, said, “It is an important role that these persons play as they work at the front in the spirit of the Gospel, but in many cases they are struggling with difficulties and receive no help…I thought this was a shame, so I proposed the system to the church.”
Since January last year, the social environment mission department has been participating in the suffering of families bereaved by the Sewol Ferry disaster. It holds a weekly demonstration with pickets in front of the nearby subway station, invites the families for conversation, and offers other support. Its activities also include the operation of a Christian worldview school and an academy, and the holding of reading and discussion groups. (Photo: Suwonsung Church)
In 2009, Sanwool Church (Rev. Lee Seung-han) in Gunpo city, Gyeonggi-do, dispatched senior deacon Gweon Myeong-ae (66), who had worked for a long time with a women’s organization. The church supported Gweon, in coordination with Gunpo Womenlink, for her work as a social missionary assisting the recovery of one-parent families.
Members of Gunpo Womenlink’s One-Parent Project Team pose with their children for a commemorative photo in August last year, following their participation in a pottery-making program. (Photo: Gunpo Womenlink)
Reporter A-young Kim (singforyou@kmib.co.kr), from Suwon, with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Full Story in Korean:
선교사는 모두 해외로? 국내파 ‘사회선교사’도 있어요！: 사회 속으로 선교사 파송하는 교회들
