“Acts 29 Church” is what Onnuri Community Church strives to be. The church aims to perpetuate the acts of the apostles. It determines its spirituality through anchors and sails.
Onnuri Community Church began in 1985. Ha Yong-jo started it with twelve families. He had a vision similar to the Book of Acts. It has grown into one of South Korea’s largest Presbyterian churches.
Onnuri is one of about 25 megachurches in Korea. It engages in postmodern evangelism. Its organizational structure is also postmodern. The leadership is as well.
The main church building is in Yongsan District. It cost millions to build. Onnuri occupies five church buildings in Seoul. These encompass congregations speaking ten languages.
Onnuri English Ministry is the largest English-language Presbyterian ministry in Korea. It is spread over three church buildings. The ministry employs several pastors.
By 2004, Onnuri had 25000 registered members. By 2006, it had 46000 adult members. About 41500 regularly attended Sunday services.
Onnuri took on Handong Global University’s debt in the mid-1990s. The university was experiencing financial distress.
The church sees itself as an “Acts 29 Church”. This means it wants to continue the Acts of the Apostles. Three anchors and five sails determine its mission.
The anchors describe a missional spirituality. This spirituality is rooted in Acts. It is guided by the Holy Spirit. It is open to change. It seeks unity in humility.
The sails describe the church’s missional strategy. It works in a team-based way. It builds a multi-site community. It provides horizontal ministries. These ministries are oriented to the next generation. It builds a church that leads to reconciliation. It seeks to realize God’s kingdom in daily life.
Onnuri’s programs are diverse. Fourteen ministries provide guidance. These ministries focus on families and small groups. They include foreign missions and students. They also focus on media ministry and social justice. Other ministries include discipleship and women’s ministry. There is also worship and people with special challenges. Also evangelism and the next generation. Pastoral care and restoration are included too. Finally world mission.
Onnuri maintains a large staff in and outside Korea. Many para-church organizations help the church’s teams. These include Duranno Publishing House. There is also Tyrannus International Mission. Eight Onnuri M-Centers care for migrants. Duranno Father School cares for families. The Onnuri Welfare Foundation ministers to those in need. Acts29 Vision Village & Jeju Acts29 Training Center trains missionaries. Biblical Education by Extension Korea provides theological education. CGNTV broadcasts Christian programs. Love Sonata is a musical ministry. The Christian Medical Network provides medical assistance. Handong Global University combines faith and education. A Better World addresses world poverty. The Society for World Internet Mission spreads the Gospel online.
The founder had a vision. It was driven by the conviction to live like the first Christians. The church should overflow with grace and compassion. It should actively help others.
Onnuri became a community church. It is socially relevant. It ensures the gospel transforms lives. This transforms the surrounding society.
Onnuri established M-centers in eight places in Korea. More than 700 migrants found faith in Jesus. Thirty were trained as missionaries. They were sent back to thirteen countries.
New ideas are always emerging at Onnuri Community Church. The church is future-oriented. It is flexible and relevant to a society in transition.