Great Churches Yung Nak Presbyterian

Do you wonder what he most influential in church history in the past 100 years were, and 

what trends did they set and how they expressed their influence?  Can those past churches’ successes help us today?  

Yung Nak Presbyterian Church, Seoul, South Korea

When the Korean War was on the front pages of every newspaper, it was a struggle between North Korean and South Korea. Freedom versus Communism.  This church did more to protect freedom and democracy, and was partly responsible for stopping the spread of Communism in the Far East.

When North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the Communists overran the capital Seoul, Korea, and steadily captured town after town on the peninsula.  Pastor Kyung-chik Han was instructed by the military to evacuate the southern tip of the peninsula so he could speak to the nation.  Constantly Pastor Han preached over radio 24/7 encouraging South Koreans all over the peninsula to stand against Communism and to pray. 

The Communists burned thousands of churches in every city that they captured.  When they invaded Seoul, a military detail was sent to burn down Yung Nak Presbyterian Church.  That church was a hot bed for freedom and anti-communism throughout the entire nation, hence it became a target for North Korean retaliation. 

Elder Lee was left to protect the church, but was killed on the front steps trying to protect the church.  Today, there is a tombstone and grave to the right of the entrance of the church honoring him. The enemies stacked furniture in the basement of the church and set a roaring fire.  But oddly enough, the flames only scorched the ceiling, and did not burn the rest of the building. Pastor Han walked me into a basement room to show me the scorched ceiling.  He explained, “God in heaven saw the tears and sacrifice of our people who built this church before they built their own homes . . . and God would not let it burn.” 

Then Han told me, during WWII when the Japanese occupied Korea, he compromised his faith.  Every Korean who entered a government building had to bow at a Shinto shrine and he did it.  After the war was over the Korean Presbyterian Church lifted his ordination along with many other ministers who bowed at a Shinto shrine. 

Pastor Han prayed long hours and wept before the Lord begging the Lord for forgiveness.  Then he begged for a church assignment. Finally, the Presbyterians directed him to a group of radical anti-communists who were fleeing North Korea and settling in the Yung Nak Valley on the edge of the city of Seoul.  Han was allowed to begin a church with these people.  The young church became as radical for Jesus Christ as they had been radical against Communism.  The church grew rapidly.  Han talked to American soldiers who provided a tent for church services.  Quickly the tent was filled with 500 worshippers. Two tents were joined together as an auditorium for 1,000 people.  Then four tents for an auditorium for 2,000, and finally another tent for an additional 500 people.

The people made a commitment to construct their church first, before they would build their private homes.  Almost every member was living in a U. S. army discarded tent and faced rain and brutal winters without the comfort and luxury of shelter.

Han said, “When the monsoons came, I saw faithful church members sitting against the tent posts of their homes praying all night while the cold water ran through every part of their tent. Yes, they sacrificed for this church. God would not let this church burn when He remembered their tears and sacrifice.”

When the church was finished in 1950, it was the largest Presbyterian structure in the world seating 4,400.  It was built in the form of a cross with pulpit in the center and the choir seated behind in the top of the cross.  There were balconies on the other three legs of the cross. 

Dr. Han had retired when we met in 1978.  I preached the 9:00 am morning service, Pastor Park translated for me.  At the time the church was averaging over 30,000 in attendance, with the crowds lining up at the front door down a long wide stairs reaching into the street.  Each service was 50 minutes long, and the worshippers left through side entrances as the next congregation moved in and was ready to worship at the top of the hour.  I left just as quickly as the worshippers.  Pastor Park got ready for the next service. 

I will always remember Yung Nak Presbyterian Church as the biggest Presbyterian church in the world because of their sacrificial faith for Jesus Christ and His cause. 

WANT TO READ MORE?

What churches were the most influential in church history in the past 100 years?  What trends did they set?  How did they express their influence?  Can past churches’ successes help you today?  What can the ministry of past successful churches teach us today?  Read, The Ten Most Influential Churches in the Past Century, published by Destiny Image Publishers by Elmer Towns.  Order this book from Amazon.com

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