Literature Evangelists' Convention in Korea

About 250 literature evangelists, including leaders, participated in the Mountain Prayer Meetings sponsored by the Korean Union Conference (KUC) Publishing Ministries Department at Bohoon Retreat Center, Angsung, Chungjoo City, Korea on May 22-25, 2003. The total working hours of those literature evangelists were 237,507 and sale was US$2,790,746.82 in 2002.

Um, Gil Soo, the KUC Pub. Ministries Director

Um, Gil Soo, KUC Publishing Ministries Director, his two staff and five local conference publishing leaders, worked very hard to prepare for this event conducted every two years. The venue was at the southern part of Seoul, capital of Korea, a distance of two hours drive. The literature evangelists came from all parts of the country and spent three nights and four days for programs and were refreshed in the remote retreat center.

The main speaker was Chun, Jung Kwon, KUC Secretary. He spoke on the importance of recognition and family. Since literature evangelists mainly leave their home and work outside all day for visiting people, he reminded them about the responsibility of taking care of their own family. His messages were very much appreciated by all. Tadaomi Shinmyo, Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD)

Tadaomi Shinmyo doing a presentation (left) & Jung-Kwon Chun, translator (right)

Publishing Ministries Director, promoted literature evangelism at the opening and closing sessions through PowerPoint presentation. He introduced unique literature evangelists in Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. As he showed a picture of an old lady, 94 years of age and is still doing literature evangelism, all attendees were amazed and gave a big applause.

One of the exciting programs was recreation held at the retreat center playground. Literature evangelists enjoyed the tug-of-war, rope skipping, volleyball, and football. Since there are five local conferences in the KUC, they competed with one another in volleyball and tug-of-war. Then, winners were awarded with food. Although the NSD

The Participants of the KUC Mountain Prayer Meeting

Publishing Ministries Director has participated in many kinds of meetings, it was the first time for him to witness such enthusiastic games by the Korean literature evangelists. Generally speaking, majority of them are still physically young as well as their outlook. The power expressed in the recreation hour shows great hope of literature evangelism in Korea from now on.

Another unique program was the prayer meeting on a mountain in the afternoon of the Sabbath, May 24. It took about one hour to climb the mountain. Most of the participants tried to climb and joined the meeting. After reaching the top of the mountain, they sang songs, listened to a message, and prayed for a while. It was really a refreshing time to pray in the cool and quiet mountain site.

The Sabbath day concluded with a joyful mini music concert conducted by the SDA Ensemble, a group of young people composed of Tenor, Soprano, Baritone and a pianist. The Literature evangelists were really moved by the excellent and professional performance of the vocalists.

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Tadaomi Shinmyo, Publishing/Communication/PARL/ATN/SOP Director