The 2025 South Korea Camp Meeting opened on Thursday, July 31, at the Seoul headquarters church, and continued through Sunday, August 3. Bill McKibben, Director of East Asia Work, along with his wife, Lori, represented the Portland headquarters at the meetings.

The camp meeting had its highest attendance in recent memory, and in every service, the sanctuary was full. Delegates joined from all six of our South Korea congregations. In addition, representatives came from Japan and the United States.

In the first service, Kim Jeong Min, the South Korea District Superintendent, gave a warm welcome to all who had gathered to experience the blessings of the Lord. He also preached the first message on “Loving Instead of Judging,” taken from John 4, where Jesus forgave the adulterous woman. In the days following, a spirit of love and forgiveness continued throughout every service.

One highlight of the camp meeting was the ordination of a new pastor for the Daejeon congregation. The South Korea Board of Trustees laid hands on Shin Soon Im as everyone prayed for her. She had been assigned to the Daejeon location in March after serving faithfully as an assisting minister in both Seoul and Daejeon. Goo Dae Seo was also acknowledged, because he recently moved to Seoul to assist Brother Kim in the ministry there.    

During the meetings, Bible teachings were given by Sister Shin and Brother Bill on “Obedience/Surrender” and “Honoring God.” Other sermon topics included “The Blessing of Trials” and “Overcoming Victory.” In addition to the church services, a ministers’ meeting was held for all pastors and assisting ministers. During it, Brother Bill spoke of the need for both an anchor (God’s Word) and a sail (the Holy Spirit). He said these are essential helps given by God and must be relied on by leaders in the Gospel ship.

Inspiring testimonies were heard throughout the services. Among them, Rei Ohno, who is the wife of Kawasaki pastor Yoshiki Ohno, testified of being saved and water baptized as a teenager. She went on to declare God’s continued blessings in providing her with a Christian husband and now a baby girl to raise in the Gospel. In another testimony, Jung Ok Yoo told that when she was a teenager, she went to missionaries Harold and Sally Barrett intending to learn English. Instead, she found salvation for her soul. Now, as a grandmother, the Lord helps her continue to be a light. Three more testimonies were heard in a water-baptismal service in which the candidates testified of their conversion.

Many good prayer meetings followed the services. However, the highlight was on Saturday evening when one sister from the United States received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and many others were refilled and blessed! The next day, as the saints departed to their respective places, they left encouraged, with great joy and full hearts.  

Following the camp meeting, Brother Bill requested prayer for the Lord’s continued blessing on our churches in Southeast Asia, and particularly for direction in the relocation of our Daegu church. He said it was recently sold as part of a government redevelopment project in that area, and the congregation, which has several young families, is growing.