“A church which brings light to the world.” That is the motto of this place. We are standing before \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c. It is a beacon of faith in Seoul. \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c works to accomplish social holiness.
\uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c has a rich history. It began as Kwangheemun Church. The Korean War left the nation in sorrow. But God granted new hope through churches like Kwangheemun. Soon Kwangheemun Church overflowed with people. They learned the Gospel of hope.
In 1953, a branch church was established. It was named Kwangheemun 2nd Church. Members prayed wholeheartedly. In 1954, they broke ground for a new building. The church’s name changed to Kwanglim. Kwanglim combines Kwangheemun and Ssanglim-dong. Ssanglim-dong is where the new church was built. Kwanglim means the burning bush. It comes from Exodus. The burning bush symbolizes God’s presence.
God blessed Kwanglim as a holy land. The church’s mission became to light the world. Over time, faithful members grew in number. \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c became a model for Korean churches. It offered spiritual leadership. Rev Sundo Kim’s ministry philosophy drove this growth. Now, Rev Chungsuk Kim leads \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c. His mission is to heal and light the world. He illuminates the path to the future.
John Wesley founded Methodism. He stressed extending Jesus’ teachings to society. Christians should share salvation in a social context. \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c shares God’s blessing. It spreads the Gospel and God’s will.
The Kwanglim Welfare Foundation was set up. It operates a Welfare Center. This provides quality services to the community. The Kwanglim Social Service Center develops better welfare programs. The BBC Hall hosts cultural events. These include art exhibitions and music performances. JangCheon Art Hall and Gallery also contribute.
Bishop Chungsuk Kim leads \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c. He became the 16th Bishop of the Southern Seoul Annual Conference in 2020. He also serves as President of the Kwanglim Welfare Foundation. Additionally, he is Chairperson of the Bichuisup Cultural Foundation. Bishop Kim has held many roles. He was a Visiting Professor at Yonsei University. He served on the Korean Methodist Church Mission Council. He was a Board Member for World Vision. He advised Wesley House Cambridge UK. He was also a Board Member of the East-West Theology Foundation.
Before becoming Bishop, he was Senior Pastor. He served as Senior Pastor of Kwanglim Methodist Church from 2001. He was Minister in charge of pastoral care. He also served as General Secretary of KMRI. Bishop Kim studied at Seoul Theological University. He earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary in the USA.
In 1991, Kwanglim Church had 50000 constituents. It held four Sunday worship services. 6000 people attended Tuesday Bible studies. The church had multiple choirs and orchestras. Plus there were 60 teenage Sunday school classes. Christians make pilgrimages to \uad11\ud604\uac10\ub9ac\uad50\ud68c. They come to learn. Visitors are affected by what they see.
Frank Warden noted the congregation’s enthusiasm in worship. George Hunter III found the church meets people’s needs. Its preaching, group life and teaching are need-oriented. The church plans for growth. Prayer is emphasized at Kwanglim. Pastor Kim said, “Here is the secret…I meet God before I meet people.” Every part of his ministry is soaked in prayer.
Sundo Kim dreamed of a prayer center. He trusted God to provide. He bought land on a mountain slope. Now, a complex sprawls among rocks and trees. It seats 5000 people. It can feed and sleep 800 people. Tiny prayer cells offer private spaces. The center was designed for serious intercession.