The Launch of the WEA Seoul General Assembly Organizing Committee
The Organizing Committee for the 2025 World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) General Assembly in Seoul was officially launched on Friday. This significant event, highlighting the role of the Rev. Junghyun John Oh and Rev. Younghoon Lee as co-chairs, was marked by a thanksgiving service at the CCMM Building in Yeouido, Seoul, led by Pastor Seok-soon Im, president of the Korea Evangelical Fellowship.
The event included a prayer by Rev. Sang-sik Kim, president of Sungkyul University, and a special hymn from the Sarang Solist Choir. Rev. Younghoon Lee, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, gave a sermon titled “The Absolute Authority of the Bible,” asserting the Bible’s definitive nature against liberalism, evolution, and Marxism.
Rev. Lee emphasized, “Forces aiming to undermine the absolute authority of God’s word are advancing through waves of liberalism, evolution and Marxism. Some Christian textual critics claim that there are words of God in the Bible, implying that some parts are not God’s word. However, the Bible is the word of God, and it is final. No additional story can be added.”
He further linked societal issues such as homosexuality and abortion to this perceived erosion of biblical authority, underscoring the WEA’s historical mission since 1846 to address religious pluralism and biblical criticism.
WEA Chair Goodwill Shana extended his gratitude to Korean Evangelicals via video, expressing hope that the assembly would aid in spreading the Gospel, stating, “I am deeply thankful to the Evangelical believers in Korea who have committed to serve the 2025 Seoul Assembly. I sincerely hope that the WEA Seoul Assembly will serve as a catalyst for spreading the pure Gospel.”
Rev. Sangbok David Kim concluded the service with a benediction, while other notable speakers, including Rev. Yeonjong Ju and Co-Chair Rev. Junghyun John Oh, shared insights and messages.
Rev. Oh highlighted the historical mission debt owed by the Korean church to Western churches and expressed a desire for collaboration despite past internal differences within the WEA, calling for unity under God’s Great Commission.
Representing the WEA, Vice-Chairman Frank Hinkelmann remarked on the significance of hosting the assembly in Korea, acknowledging the nation’s role as a leading missionary-sending country. He also connected this gathering to hopes for peace and unification, drawing parallels to the anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall.
Professor Myungsoo Park provided an overview of the assembly’s significance, emphasizing its global impact. An MOU was signed between the Organizing Committee and the WEA to solidify cooperation.
During a subsequent press conference, the Revs. Sungsam Sam Ko and Yeonjong Ju addressed questions regarding opposition to the assembly, reflecting the ongoing dialogue within the Korean church. Rev. Sang-bok David Kim and Jae-sung Kim discussed concerns related to WEA leadership and the “New Apostolic Reformation.” Kim assured thorough investigation into these issues.
The event wrapped up with a prayer led by President Deok-gyo Oh from Torch Trinity Graduate University.
For further information, please refer to reports from Christian Daily Korea and Christian Today Korea.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
