At first it may seem strange to some that a missionary would want to establish an english speaking assembly in Korea when there are so many assemblies already established here. Well the short answer to this question is to respond to the Lord’s leading to establish an assembly to meet the needs of english speakers in Korea.

Currently there are over a million foreigners living in Korea and a large majority of them are living in Seoul. A large part of this people group are fluent in english making english language the best choice for establishing a new church.

When a church comes to order in the name of (under the authority of) the Lord Jesus Christ there is a practical necessity of understanding the language being spoken “For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?” 1 Corinthians 14:8. Although there able translators in many of the assemblies we have all heard the expression “something must have gotten lost in the translation.” This is all too evident when several minutes of speech is translated into a 30 second summation.

In addition to this issue comes the problem of english speakers being understood by the listeners while exercising their priesthood in prayer or in teaching. The apostle Paul sums it up this way: “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:19. Now some of you are already to pounce on me for using this verse in this context and argue that Paul was talking about tongues, a spiritual utterance, but can you accept that it delivers the same point that I am trying to make without abusing the writers intended meaning? – That it is necessary  to understand what is being said in order for words to benefit the listener.

These are just a few thoughts on the reason for establishing an english speaking meeting in Korea. All that being said, the primary reason for this effort is that I believe it is what the Lord wants done.

Please let me know your thoughts on this subject. Thanks