In God We Trust

Today I visited a Korean church, Wonchon Baptist Church (원천 교회) , for the first time.  I went with a Korean friend, David. I met him through a local American ministry near my home; he attends to practice his English, I think.   For the past couple weeks he has invited me to come see his church and hear the famous pastor.  Last minute scheduling changes, made it work out so that I could attend today!  Going into the trip all I knew about the church was that it was located in Suwon.  

We went to the early traditional service.  Immediately after I sat down, an usher came and brought me a portable headset, where I could here a live English translation of the service.   (Sometimes it's great to look different that everybody else.) The order of worship and culture in the sanctuary was similar to any traditional US church.  

After singing a hymn and a few other things, the pastor approached the pulpit and began to speak.  He talked about blessings.  The main theme (I think, remember I was listening to translation...) was that the more you focus on God and give Him the glory, the more He will bless you.   As with any sermon, there are example stories to illustrate the point.  The two the pastor shared intrigued me.  First, he shared how George Washington Carver from the United States became successful.  The story goes that because Carver obeyed the voice of God that he heard in his dreams to make different peanut products, he became well-known.   I've known who George Washington Carver is for years, but never knew he was a Christian.  The second illustration the pastor used was that America is so successful and powerful because we have "In God We Trust" on our money.  I'm not here to judge the example, but it was thought-provoking at least.  Even through translation, I thought it was a pretty good sermon.  

As soon as the service was let out, David took me to a nearby classroom where all the first-time visitors fill out a welcome card (difficult when I don't know what the boxes mean), get a present (two books written by the pastor) and get to personally meet the pastor, Dr. Billy Kim.  When I met the pastor, there was a photographer to take our picture.  I thought it was so strange! Why did I need or want my picture with this guy I don't even know? I couldn't understand anything that was being said, so I just followed the motions of the other first-time members.   

After my picture with Dr. Kim, he invited me in English to go downstairs for muffins and coffee and then return my vistor card before I left.  I was shocked to hear such good English!  Well I couldn't refuse a muffin, so David and I headed downstairs.   On the way down, we passed a library title Dr. Billy Kim Library.  When we got down there and finished the refreshments, he insisted that I meet Dr. Kim's wife.  She was in the kitchen cooking the muffins, so I was a little hesitant.  All I could see was that she was very short and had white hair.  I had assumed from her size that she was Korean, but when she turned around and opened her mouth and English came out, I was shocked!  Before I left the cafe where I met Mrs. Kim, an usher came and found me again to give me the printed picture of myself and Dr. Billy Kim. (See above.)  

As all the pieces came together, I finally realized that Dr. Billy Kim must be pretty famous.  From what I've read on the internet since I got home, it sounds to be like he might be the 'Korean Billy Graham.'   I think it was a pretty neat opportunity I got to hear him speak and meet both him and his wife. 

[출처] DR. BILLY KIM AT WONCHON BAPTIST CHURCH ( 원천 침례 교회에서 )|작성자 David H S B

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