LTKC: Our History (Part 4)
LTKC: Our History (Part 4)
The 1980’s would prove to be both a time of incredible Church Growth but also, began to mark the pinnacle decline as the Korean Church would both struggle and succeed in the decades to follow progressively. Meanwhile the 1970’s and 1980’s would also become the major wave of Korean immigrants moving to the nations of the earth, most specifically to the United States of America.
What was Happening in Korea:
The Korean church as a whole was continuing to grow and multiply. Almost every major denomination in Korea was bursting at the seams as the mega church model became popularized to contain this church growth. At one point in time, every major denomination found its largest congregation in Korea.
Also, In the 1980’s there would be an unusual movement that began with the Pentecostal church (full gospel) in the city of Yoido. A man named David Yongi Cho who had grown up on the countryside of Korea was leading a prayer movement and missionary effort that would eventually see 230,000 conversions (not transfer growth) in a span of a few years. The Yoido Full Gospel church would eventually become the largest church in the world with a membership of over a million members at one point in time.
What is significant to note about this period of time is that it was through Dr. David Yongi Cho’s church that the Korean Prayer movement would gain the attention of the world. Koreans had been a people of prayer even before the wake of Christianity. However through technology and travel, the Korean Prayer movement was now inspiring the world to pray.
What was Happening in the United States:
During this period of history, the United States would see an influx of Korean immigrants after the passing of the Immigration and Nationality act of 1965. Although Korean immigration history in America actually dates back to the early 1900’s it was during this time that we saw the influx of Koreans moving to the major metropolitan areas of the United states most notably to Southern California and New York City.
What is worth noting about this immigration period is that it has been recorded that not only did Koreans bring with them their Korean Culture, but they brought the Korean church with them. There is no denying that as these early immigrant communities would form, that one of the hallmarks of the Korean immigrant experience was the planting of Protestant Churches. At one point in time it was said that almost 1/3 Korean immigrant that came to America was a Protestant professing Christian.
These churches planted in the heart of the metropolitan cities would serve as community centers. The immigrant population, working 6 days a week, would find their time to gather and worship every Sunday.
The Korean American church was almost seen as somewhat of an idiosyncratic anomaly. On one hand they held to very conservative theological views born out of their roots mainly in Presbyterian and Methodist theology. On the other hand, the Korean style of prayer was considered very charismatic with what would be known as “tong-song” prayer or “unified prayer as one voice”.
The Korean American church would experience its own set of values, struggles, and revival even here in this new land.