On the rooftop of the building was a small kitchen garden. It was surprising to find them farming at work. “Last year we grew sweet potatoes and other vegetables. We microwaved the sweet potatoes, and ate lettuce and chili peppers along with our box lunches,” a staff member said proudly.
Every day, the staff members split up into groups for quiet time (QT). In a meeting room filled with various kinds of Bibles, I talked with Representative Jeong Hyeong-cheol. Vice-director Gwak Seong-jong accompanied us. Gwak, who began working with Agape in 1980, told about the early ministry of the company. “The late Elder Jeong Bong-seok published ‘Malsseumji’ (writings on the Word), and that was the beginning of our company.”
Elder Jeong, the father of current representative Jeong, established Agape in 1974. He published and distributed the 10-page Malsseumji, which usually consisted of pastors’ sermons. “Back then, there was no TV, and books were rare. The staff members themselves recorded good sermons, and transcribed them to include in Malsseumji. We distributed it every two to three months. At the peak, we used to send it to more than 10,000 churches.” Malsseumji became a good resource for pastors at the time.
In 1986, Agape published the “Open Bible” with commentaries. Since he became president the year after that, the Open Bible is for Jeong the proudest product of the company. “Thanks to the Open Bible, many ordinary believers began reading the commentaries on the Word, and were able to learn easily by themselves. I think this is the grace of God.”
Following publication of the Open Bible, Agape published its Study Bible, Easy Bible, Story Bible and several other kinds of Bibles, becoming a Bible-expert publisher. Over the last 30 years, Agape has published approximately 350,000 copies per year, and distributed more than 10 million copies of the Bible domestically. Since 2007 Agape has published a bimonthly QT guide, “Jusam” (Lord-Life). “Highly qualified writers interpret the Bible verse by verse for Jusam. It really helps users to understand the Bible better.”
When I asked about Agape’s publication and management principles, Jeong answered, “Honesty. Even in Christian publishing circles, there have been cases of dishonesty where publishers printed material that was actually written by new, young, seminary graduates, but which came out with the names of famous pastors or professors as the authors. We’ve always used the names of the actual writers. I think Christians have to be honest before God in whatever they do, and wherever they do it.”
Agape now publishes Bibles and QT guides as well as single-volume books for children and adults. “The vocation of the Christian press, I think, is to publish books helping Christians to better understand God’s Word and aiding their right living in faith. I worry when I sometimes see books leading believers to pursue only blessings.”
Jeong’s wish for readers is that they meditate on the Word and look for good books. “Believers must read the Bible often, and should be able to judge good books based on the Word. That way, the Korean church can overcome the tendency to pursue only blessings and to be caught up in materialism. The Bible, QT guides, and good Christian books should become our intellectual food.” At the end of the interview, all the staff members gathered for a photo and shouted, “Fighting!”
Reporter Kang Ju-hwa (rula@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by intern reporter Bo Yeon Kim
Original Article in Korean:
30년간 성경 1000만권 보급한 ‘말씀의 샘’: 문서사역 위해 1974년 설립된 기독출판사 아가페
