The Korea Report
Category: Prophetic Reports, Asia
It has been six years since Mike and I have been in Seoul, Korea. As we came into the city we noticed quite a few new buildings. It is hard to believe that this was a nation and city that suffered the affects of both WWII and the Korean Conflict. In fact, I saw pictures in a magazine on the flight that showed refugees camping alongside the stream that runs through one major part of the city. One could never tell today that there ever was such devastation to this nation during that time.
This is a huge testimony to the blessing of God upon a nation and its people. The church of Korea has grown to where some estimate at least 20% of the nation are believers. Seoul has a population of around 17,000,000 by itself. Neon crosses light up the night sky across the city.
However, over the past years, church growth has plateaued and some see it as declining. This fact does not take into account the tremendous impact the Korean Christians are making on world evangelization in tough places like Central Asia and Afghanistan. There can be no doubt that Korea has a missionary gift and some believe that they will surpass the United States as a mission's sending nation in the coming years.
I was told by a young Korean woman leader that she believes that the redemptive gift of Korea is to be a blessing nation. I concur. It blesses many and the people certainly have the gift of giving. To me this also says that they are a Joseph nation as well and will be on the forefront of this new move of God among business leaders and the marketplace.
Korea first experienced revival in 1907. The gospel was first brought to the nation through a missionary named Thomas who came on a boat up the Han River to North Korea. He was killed but he was able to give his Bible away where it was read, and from that person, many were evangelized. Later a revival broke out and the hallmark of this outpouring was repentance and open confession of sin.
There is a movement called Again 1907 with many organizations participating to celebrate the revival's centennial like we did our 1906 Azusa St. Centennial celebration in which I was one of many speakers. We heard that 30,000 came to the event.
A number of meetings are planned for next year with major prayer gatherings for Transformation being held in at least four difference sites. Luis Bush and Kim Sam Seong are speakers for one where they expect 50,000 people. One young movement that has taken the name Again 1907 is totally youth led and they are gathering 10,000 youth at a time to pray. In my opinion they have been influenced by The Call: Korea where 40,000 young people came together to fast and pray for the nation.
The hottest spot for the gospel in the years after this time was in the North and not in the South. No one, except perhaps some prophetic people, ever saw into the future and foresaw the terrible persecution of believers that would come first through the Japanese occupation during WWII and, then later through the Communists.
