“What if a church became a haven for refugees?” That is the story of Youngnak Presbyterian Church. This church stands as a testament to faith and resilience. It is located in Jung-gu near Myeongdong Station.
Youngnak Presbyterian Church has a rich history. It began on December 2 1945. Reverend Kyung-Chik Han founded it. He later won the Templeton Prize in 1992. Twenty-seven refugees started this church. They sought religious freedom. They came from Soviet-occupied Korea.
The congregation of Youngnak Presbyterian Church grew quickly. More refugees arrived seeking solace. They were below the 38th parallel. By March 24 1949 they needed more space. Ground was broken for a new building. The original building was too small. It even included a tent.
The new Youngnak Presbyterian Church building finished in May 1950. By then, membership exceeded 4000 people. The church continued to grow. When Rev. Han won the Templeton Prize in 1992 it had 60000 members. At that time, it was the largest Presbyterian congregation worldwide. Its members had also planted 500 sister churches.
Youngnak Presbyterian Church expanded its ministry in 1998. Under Rev. Han’s guidance it started an English language ministry. It was called International Worship in English. An American missionary named Bill Majors founded it. He became an Honorary Citizen of Seoul in 2005. This was for his dedication.
Throughout the years Youngnak Presbyterian Church has had many senior pastors. Han Kyung-chik served from 1949 to 1973. Park Cho-joon followed from 1973 to 1985. Kim Yoon-guk served from 1985 to 1997. Lim Young-soo also served from 1988 to 1997. Lee Chul-shin then led from 1997 to 2018. The current senior pastor Kim Woon-sung took over in 2018.
Youngnak Presbyterian Church offers various services. There are Sunday services for adults and children. They have traditional and contemporary worship. The contemporary service is called Nexus Worship. Services are in English and Korean. Traditional worship takes place at 10 AM on Sundays. Contemporary worship happens at 3:30 PM on Sundays. Children’s Ministry worship is also at 10 AM on Sundays. All services are held at the Mission Chapel.
The church’s logo has four blocks. These blocks symbolize Education, Mission, Fellowship and Service. A white cross in the middle unites them. It represents Jesus Christ. The image of a tree signifies Jesus. It shows that we are branches grafted onto Him.
Youngnak Presbyterian Church continues its mission. It makes disciples of all nations. It grows strong in Christ. It shares His love. It builds His kingdom on Earth. The International Worship in English welcomes everyone. They offer a place for people to connect. They can celebrate the gospel together.
Today Youngnak Presbyterian Church remains a beacon of hope. It exemplifies faith. It embraces diversity. It serves as a reminder of God’s enduring love. It stands as a testament to the power of community. It is in the heart of Seoul. Youngnak Presbyterian Church welcomes all.