Bill McKibben, Director of East Asia Work, was accompanied by Bob Bishop, Director of Southwest United States Work, on a recent visit to our churches in Southeast Asia. During the ten-day trip, they enjoyed a service at our Japan church in Kawasaki before visiting all six branch locations in South Korea.

The two arrived in Japan on Friday, October 9, and were met by Kim Jeong Min, the Korean District Superintendent, and his wife, Lee Jin Young. The next day, they were also joined by the Kawasaki pastor, Yoshiki Ohno, and his wife, Rei. Since Brother Bill’s last visit, they have welcomed to their family a baby girl, and he rejoiced with them in God’s faithfulness.  

The Kawasaki service on Sunday morning opened with a piano prelude followed by congregational singing. Brother Bob shared his testimony, including how his late father, Lyle Bishop, preached his first sermon in the old Tokyo church with the then pastor, Hidehiro Ouchi, interpreting. Some forty years later, in 2005, Brother Bob visited Japan for the first time and preached as Brother Ouchi interpreted. The testimony was a joyful reminder that the same Gospel message preached in years past is still being proclaimed in Japan today. For the sermon, Brother Bill took his text from Acts 4:10-12 and spoke on the healing of a lame man and Peter's declaration of Jesus' authority. The service ended with prayer followed by lunch.

The remainder of the trip took place in South Korea, beginning with an evening service on Tuesday in Busan, where the work here was founded. There was a good turnout for the weeknight meeting. Following the congregational singing, Brother Kim gave the opening prayer and then several shared inspiring testimonies. The message was taken from Mark 12:10-11, the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. It noted that like the stewards of the vineyard who rejected the owner’s son, the Jewish religious leaders rejected Jesus. However, God made Jesus the chief Cornerstone of the Gospel, and “it is marvelous.” A very sweet prayer meeting followed, and then there was a time of fellowship, including with the pastor, Ra Young Do, and his wife, Kim Choon Sun. 

Over Thursday and Friday, the team of two traveled to four church locations to meet with and encourage the pastors. In Okpo, they had lunch with Pastor Kang Kyung Yoon and her husband, Jeong Do Jin, and later, they were greeted by a sister who helped found the work there. At Agyang, where we have a small country church in a beautiful setting, they visited with long-time pastor Suh Seo Ok and his wife, Kim Yun Soon. In Daegu, they met with Pastor Kim Sang Kyu and his wife, Kim Kyung Ok. They also toured several proposed church sites (including one that was chosen), as the congregation had to sell their property to make way for a government project. Pray for the saints here as they make this transition. Lastly, at Daejeon the two had dinner with several elders and the newer pastor, Sister Shin Soon Im. Then, the whole group went to the church for a fellowship with the young people. Afterward, Brother Bill commented that there is reason to be glad—the youth, who are the future of our work, are embracing the Gospel here and elsewhere.   

On Sunday morning, October 18, the team attended a service at the headquarters church in Seoul. Following the congregational singing and opening prayer, the Scripture reading was taken from Psalm 105. For the message, Brother Bob took his text from Zechariah 10:1 and 12. He focused on asking the Lord for rain in the time of the Latter Rain and looking to Him for strength, which only He can provide. A wonderful time of prayer followed.

Another service took place in the afternoon with good attendance. During the testimony time, several older saints reminisced about how the work in South Korea began with Harold and Sally Barrett. For the message, Brother Bill preached from Acts 4:20 on Peter’s declaration, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” He admonished the congregation that it is better to listen to God than those who would speak against Him and the Gospel. A very good prayer meeting followed.

With the trip about to conclude, Brother Kim requested that another short exhortation be given to the young people as they gathered for food and fellowship. Brother Bill shared that he and Brother Bob had served God for many years, and now the future belonged to the youth, should the Lord tarry. He encouraged them to be faithful as they grow into who God intends them to be.  

Please continue to pray for the work in Southeast Asia as the Lord prospers His work there.