THE KUKMIN DAILY

Rev. David Ross (Korean name: 오대원, Oh Dae-won), the founder of Youth with a Mission Korea (YWAM Korea), turned 80 this year. On August 17, the opening day of the YWAM Leaders General Assembly, the highlight was the celebration of his birthday. Persons who had worked together with Rev. Ross in the organization remembered him as “a missionary who loved Korea more than Koreans did,” “the one who taught me about God who speaks to us,” “the minister who told me North Korea also is Korea.”

The best part of the birthday celebration was the Ross couple’s dancing. Together with the YWAM leaders, they danced joyfully to a fusion of the traditional rhythms and melodies of samulnori instruments and a band playing anthems of praise. Even at age 80, Rev. Ross has not tired. On the contrary, as he told the 700 some YWAM leaders, “Getting old is happy. I feel better now than when I started mission at age 25.” He declared, “I celebrated my 60th and 70th birthdays with you, but today is really great.” His life partner Mrs. Ellen Ross said, “I’d like to celebrate my husband’s 90th birthday in Korea, also.”

For Rev. Ross there has been no retirement. Although he retired officially, he continued with his ministry. In 1994 he founded the “Antioch Mission Training Center” in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A., where he was the main force in mission training, a school on North Korea research, and campus ministry, and now serves as an advisor. These days he concentrates mainly on care for missionaries (member care), the New Korea Movement (for North Korea), and the ministry of the Word.

His affection for Korea is unchanged, and he still visits here five or six times a year. He said he had never used English language in Korea. He’s “a person who loves Korea more than Koreans do.” When he speaks about the ministry of reconciliation with North Korea, this becomes even clearer.

“At this time, reconciliation is more important than talking about reunification,” Rev. Ross said. He said Christians are called to make friendship between South Korea and North Korea. He spoke about being a “father.” “A father is the being most needed on the Korean peninsula. North Korea has no father. Starting with Christians, we need to have the heart of a father and be able to embrace them.” A father’s heart transcends ideology and politics. The Cross is love without fear.

“Right now the Korean peninsula is covered in fear. Fear is anxiety, and this word includes darkness and dread. Even Christians fear North Korea. But look at Jesus. On the Cross, he banished the powers of darkness and the objects of fear. We have to take away the fear first.”

Rev. Ross was optimistic about North Korean change. He based this on two grounds: prayer and God’s sovereignty. According to him, all the Christians in the world are praying for North Korea. Recently Christians in Finland organized an international intercessory prayer group for North Korea. They pray for North Korea and fast for one meal. Sweden and Norway also are positive; and Christians in China, Mongolia and Russia are also praying, he said with conviction.

Reporter Sangmok Shin (smshin@kmib.co.kr), from Hoengseong, with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photo by intern reporter Jun Ho-Kwang, from Hoengseong


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