South Korea is a sovereign state in East Asia consisting of the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It shares land borders with North Korea to the north, and its overseas borders include Japan to the east and China to the west. There is no state religion, and more than half of the population in South Korea has no religious preference.
This spiritual climate presents unique obstacles for impacting young people, but also unique opportunities. Over 95% of South Korean teens do not know Jesus, and churches are struggling with how to reach them. The Word of Life team in South Korea is finding ways to meet these students where they are and train them to reach their peers with the gospel.
Ministry in South Korea
The different facets of Word of Life’s ministry in South Korea allow young people to be exposed to biblical truth over the span of multiple years. For example, many students initially engage with Word of Life through an outreach at their church or school. They may then attend youth camp, where they can learn more about God’s Word and have meaningful interactions with the Bible Institute students who serve at camp. Often, these young people go on to attend the SYME program, an English immersion experience where students receive Bible-based teaching and discipleship in a close-knit community. Finally, SYME graduates who want a year of intensive, college-level Bible training can attend Word of Life Bible Institute on Jeju Island (which is just off the coast of mainland South Korea).
Through each step in this journey, students discover the truth of God’s Word and learn how to share it with their friends. Not only is this a strategic method of multiplication, but it also allows students who don’t know the Lord to experience long-term, gospel-driven relationships with the purpose of pointing them to Christ.
Caleb’s Story
It is exciting to see when discipleship comes full circle – when students who came to know Jesus through the ministry of Word of Life South Korea go on to lead other young people in biblical truth. Field Director Jacob Morse recently shared the following story about Caleb*, a student who came to Christ through the SYME program.
“Just a few years ago, Caleb was a student at the discipleship training center in Pyeongtaek (SYME), where he began his relationship with the Lord. It was a blessing to see him change and grow as a new believer. This year, he was a student at Word of Life Bible Institute at Jeju. When I was at Jeju speaking for one of the summer camps, Caleb was my translator for the gospel message. He was nervous, but he did a great job. When the invitation was given, several students responded. Afterward, Caleb told me that during the invitation, he had started to cry. It was a very powerful moment when he realized God was using him to communicate His life-changing message. What a joy that is indeed!”
*Name has been changed for privacy.
Please Pray
- Pray for the students at Word of Life Bible Institute in Jeju, South Korea. Pray that God would equip young men and women who, like Caleb, would faithfully reach other South Korean students with the gospel.
- Pray for provision and strength for Word of Life missionaries serving in South Korea, both on the mainland and on Jeju Island.
- Pray that God would multiply His harvest of believers in South Korea and in neighboring Asian countries.
Get Involved Today
Help more young people encounter Jesus through Word of Life in South Korea.
Learn more about the worldwide ministry of Word of Life.
