The Apostolic Faith Church in Pusan, Korea, actually had its roots in Portland, Oregon. Harold and Sally Barrett, members of the Portland congregation, were among the Apostolic Faith workers who visited the ships that docked there to invite the crewmen into the church services. They made many friends among the Koreans who came to their city, and entertained hundreds of them in their home.

While the seamen were at the Barretts' home, they were ministered to both physically and spiritually. They were so blessed by the Barretts' hospitality and love that good reports came to the attention of the Korean government shipping company. As a result, the Barretts were invited to visit Korea as the guest of the Korea Shipping Company. They traveled to Korea in 1966, and spent seven months visiting churches and the families of the Korean seamen they had become acquainted with at their home in Portland.

Shortly after their return to Portland, the superintendent of the Apostolic Faith work asked the couple if they wanted to return to Korea as missionaries. There was no doubt in their mind that this was the leading of the Holy Spirit. They gladly accepted the challenge. Within a short time, they transferred their business to their son, rented out their home, packed their belongings, and headed for Pusan.

On arrival in Korea, the missionaries' days became quickly filled with activities. After staying for one month with a sea captain they had known for many years, they rented a home and very shortly began holding services in their little “upper room” there. Since the house was near the port facilities, some of the seafaring men visited their services when they were in Pusan, and others instructed their families to attend. The very first service started with three visitors, but the attendance quickly grew.

On the hillside where the Barretts lived, water had to be delivered to the door. The water lady in the area was invited in to have some refreshments, and was told about the Lord and His love. She wept her way through to an experience of salvation. Her husband had been an alcoholic for thirty years, and later he became ill to the point of death. The Barretts went to pray for him, and as they did, he broke down and wept and repented of his sins. A young woman who was a relative of a seafaring man, got in touch with the Barretts. God miraculously healed her of tuberculosis, and eventually she moved to Pusan and lived in the Barretts' home. A man, who had come to work for them as a translator, realized his need of a personal experience with God, and was wonderfully converted. One by one, lives were touched by the power of God, and the little work in Pusan grew.

One year after the Barretts first started holding services, a building was rented. Just two years later, the growth necessitated moving to an even larger facility. A Sunday school was started and soon more than 300 children were attending. Street services drew crowds 250 or more people, who gathered around to hear what was being said and to receive the literature being handed out. The Barretts also ministered in the prisons, army and naval bases, and hospitals. Early converts became established in their Christian walks, and began assisting in the services and various outreach efforts.

After moving several times, it became obvious that it was time to obtain a permanent church building. Plans were drawn up for the erection of a place of worship, property was purchased, and before long, construction began. On August 6, 1972, the new church in Pusan was dedicated.

The attractive exterior of the new three-story structure quickly made it a place of special interest in the neighborhood. The church is surrounded by an enclosed courtyard, which was landscaped by the daughter of a long-time seaman friend of the missionary couple. The main auditorium seats about 250 people, Sunday school rooms accommodate about six hundred children, and there is office space for the administrative and literature distribution work.

The pulpit in the sanctuary was handmade especially for the Pusan church by a Portland brother and shipped to Korea. A tract rack near the entrance offers a large selection of tracts in the Korean language. A nursery provides facilities for mothers with young children attending the services.

Reverend Yune Jong Hak, who was converted after translating for Reverend Barrett, and worked closely with the missionary couple for a number of years, was ordained at this time. He shortly began pastoring the Pusan church, a position that he still holds. Another of the earliest converts, Reverend Yune Seung Baek, now pastors the Apostolic Faith Church in Seoul, which was established in 1976.

In the years since 1972, the Pusan church has been remodeled several times. A balcony was added to expand the seating accommodations in the sanctuary. The street adjacent to the property was widened at one point, necessitating a redo of the courtyard area.

With the Pusan church as headquarters, the Apostolic Faith work continues to spread throughout Korea. Churches have been established in a number of other locations; currently there are seven churches in the country, with the most recent one being dedicated in Okpo, Korea, in October 2001.

Information about the schedule of services for the church in Pusan is available here.