Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

East Seoul Canaan Lutheran Church

Introduction• Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference• 8th Triennial Convention• Lima, Peru• 29 May, 2014 – 2 June, 2014

Identification• East Seoul Canaan Lutheran Church• Seoul (capital city), South Korea

History• Start date: October 31, 2005• Place: Seoul, South Korea (East side of Seoul) • Origin: Rev. Young Ha Kim was sent by ELS to start a church in

South Korea to outreach to China and North Korea• Early leaders: Starting members who sent their children to the

US to study at WELS high schools and few families who had been attending Asian Mission Church in Irvine, CA the prior church Rev. Young Ha Kim served before going to S. Korea

Current Status - ESCLC• East Seoul Canaan Lutheran Church• Members: 274• Pastor: Young Ha Kim – Active pastor• Retired Elder: 1• Elders: 6• Ordained Deacons: 13• Deaconess: 10

Current Status - CLA• Canaan Lutheran Academy • Margaret Kim - Director• Ruth Kim - Teacher• Amanda Johnson - Teacher• Julie Kim – Counselor in the USA• Rev. Young Ha Kim

Worker Training• Seminary• One student in graduate school preparing for ministry • Many have shown interest in PSI program if available

• Training: PSI • ELS is considering PSI program since there is no seminary here

and there are people interested in serving

Unique Aspects• Customs• There are numerous churches in South Korea • N. Korea is communist with no religious freedoms

• Traditions• Christianity has a 110 year history in Korea• Many beheadings because of the practice of ancestor worship• Catholics first entered through China • Presbyterians & Methodists came after and started hospitals and

Christian schools• Dress • Traditional clothing are only worn on special occasions today• Much of S. Korea has become very Westernized

Unique Aspects

• Practices of the church• Early morning prayer meeting (M-Sat 5:30 am)• Outreach to Korean Chinese in China and S. Korea• Support churches in Philippines• Leading a Bible study with church workers who are leading

Korean Chinese churches in Seoul area• Business outreach – Wednesday mornings• Share gospel with the people from other Asian countries who

work in Korea• Translate and publish Bible Teaching Series (BTS) books• Canaan Lutheran Academy ESL program

Canaan Lutheran Academy• ESCLC has unique mission model with CLA• 7 months ESL program, prep for study at WELS high schools• Doctrine classes and confirmation upon completion• Study of Lutheran doctrine for parents required• Great opportunity to outreach to non-Christian families

Prayer Requests• Special opportunities for outreach• This is very good opportunity to outreach to youths since there

are not many young Christians in Korea today, they face challenges getting into college and to obtain job opportunities

• Special challenges we face • We need more pastors to be a part of our team who can serve

our current members and to outreach to non-members who sent their children to WELS high schools

Contact Information• East Seoul Canaan Lutheran Church • Rev. Young Ha Kim • Cellphone: (010) 5536-0291• Email: amcyhk99@hotmail.com• Address: GangDongGu CheonJung-Ro 184 • Seoul, South Korea 134-812• Website: http://escc.co.kr/main/index.php

• Canaan Lutheran Academy• Margaret Kim• Cellphone: (010) 5536-0292• Email: canaanmk0198@gmail.com• Address: same as above• Website: N/A