Letter from China

The year 2016 was a historic year for the Banseok Berea Church. Seven years after being established, they now have their own sanctuary for the first time. This is the letter from the church. 

Dear Overseer Sung-Hyun Kim and Senior Overseer Ki-Dong Kim,

We hope the best and health for you and your family.

Since we are a small church with a little less than a hundred members, we did not consider having our own sanctuary. However, a building was constructed on a vacant lot blocking the only path to the building we were using for our services and it was no longer available.  We had to move out and find a new place for the church and we had to do it fast.

The church members all prayed in unity, and within one month we received the answer to our prayer. One of our members, a sister, moved by the Holy Spirit, withrew all her savings and offered it as a building offering. Many Saints followed after her example. One of them, a school teacher who had attended our church for just six months devoted all of the bonus money she received during the summer school.

After paying off the purchase amount, we began to work on the interior. Though none of us knew anything about architecture, everyone participated in some way: building walls by laying bricks and transporting materials. Saints and members of neighboring churches also helped us. There was a church that gave us a donation to use for the new sanctuary. For the new sanctuary, the members worked together in unity and harmony, and fully and humbly supported the shepherd's decision.

In the process of preparing the sanctuary for services, I witnessed the amazing work of God. Even those members who used to be indifferent to church matters changes their attitude and devoted themselves to the work of construction. During the whole process of preparation, there was no shortage of people, and we completed the construction continuously grateful. We give thanks to God.

We are deeply grateful to the Mother Church, who has quietly sacrificed for us and stood behind us. 

Feb. 12 2017
Pastor Luo.

This is the inside-view of the completed sanctuary. 

It was in february of 2011 that Pastor Luo (an evangelist who ran a house church at the time) first contacted Sungrak Church. She said she had heard the word of Berea and received great grace, and she wanted to learn the Berea in the future. In March of that year, she enrolled in the 41st Chinese Berea Academy on-line classes. At the end of every session she turned in her notes and received feedback and guidance from the church.

Pastor Luo made rapid spiritual growth through the Lord’s day sermons and various ministry materials provided by Sungrak Church. The help of the local Bereans played a great role in the growth of Pastor Luo. After graduating from Berea Academy, She established a Berea Center and began to make disciples.

Pastor Luo was appointed as a pastor in 2014. Soon after, she began full-scale ministry as a co-worker for the Berea Movement with Sungrak Church. 

This is what the original church looked like. The inner space was too crammed to fit all of the church members, and they had to endure many hardships due to the poor condition of the church facility, especially during the hot summer and cold winter months.

Then, in 2016, they bought a place for the church, which was still under construction. they were fervent in prayers and devotion.

Pastor Luo did not neglect her role as a minister in the midst of preparation of the santuary. At the request of Sungrak Church, she led a retreat at a rural church in Fujian province and proclaimed God's word.

Based on the knowledge they had learned from Sungrak Church, they have initiated a youth ministry for the local children.

After the exterior of the sanctuary was completed, they began working on the interior. With the mutual support of all the church members, they have built a beautiful sanctuary. In January 2017, they finally held the Dedication Service and consecrated it to God. The cleanup was in full swing prior to the Service.

They had also provided bedding for those who had come from a distant area to attend the Service. The long hours of sewing work didn't seem to bother them at all. 
Food was cooked and served at the kitchen for the quests.

Finally, the Dedication Service began.

They had prepared various performances for the Service.

Broadcast equipment was fully equipped. The Five Duties of Saints were put up on the pillar.

After the Service, they gathered together in groups. The book on the desk is Soul and Body, written by  Semuon.

For the guests and members who had attended the service,  gifts were prepared with love.

Now, time to part ways.