1,000 South Koreans to visit UK on prayer mission

South Korean Christians pray during a service at a church in Seoul, South Korea (AP)

A thousand South Korean Christians will be visiting the UK this September as part of a country-wide prayer mission.

The National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW) is partnering with the Korean Word Prayer School in Seoul to bring hundreds of believers to Britain, following a smaller mission last year which saw around 300 Koreans make the trip.

They are hoping to visit around 40 church communities around the UK, sharing in their worship, joining in with missional activities, and issuing a prophetic call for the Church to remain strong, and Britain to remain faithful to its Christian heritage.

Two large-scale prayer gatherings will also be held in Central London to conclude the visit.

Christianity is buoyant in South Korea, with some estimates suggesting that up to 25 per cent of the population identifies with the faith. It is also home to several of the world's largest churches, including Yoido Full Gospel Church, which reportedly had over 800,000 members in 2007 and continues to grow.

In the UK, however, the number of people who consider themselves Christian has fallen significantly in recent years. According to the 2001 census, 71.7 per cent of the population identified themselves with the Christian faith, but this figure fell to just 59.3 per cent in 2011.

Dr Jonathan Oloyede, Convenor of NDOPW, has expressed his delight at the forthcoming visit, and says it is a "privilege" to support the Korean Word Prayer School's ministry.

"I believe there is a call on the church in the British Isles to warmly respond in welcome to the obedient call of the Christians of South Korean to come here as they thank these Isles for sharing the Gospel in times past," he said.

"I would urge every Christian community, network or church to prayerfully consider how they might be able to participate in this initiative. I believe we need to make this a united and cross denominational initiative so that the South Korean's Christians see the best of the church in these Isles."

Pastor Jonathan Oloyede Pic: Anthony Blondell

Dr Oloyede is keen to foster unity between the two nations, and is passionate about helping people to capture the power of prayer. He believes this visit will propel the UK into a new season of "awakening".

"I look forward to praying with the 1,000 South Korean Christians in September as we unite as a church across the country divide. There is only one church, whatever tribe we belong to and we need to not be ashamed to proclaim that radical Gospel truth," he concludes.

For more details, or to sign up your church to host, email: joiningthedots@ndopw.com

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV
Sarah Mullally prays with Pope Leo XIV

Sarah Mullally referred to previous ecumenical meetings between Anglican and Catholic heads.

Missionary behind milestone Paraguay Bible translation to retire after 44 years of service
Missionary behind milestone Paraguay Bible translation to retire after 44 years of service

A missionary whose work helped bring the Bible to indigenous communities in Paraguay’s remote Chaco region is retiring after 44 years of ministry and translation work.

Calls to EU to move beyond words as Syria’s Christians face escalating violence
Calls to EU to move beyond words as Syria’s Christians face escalating violence

Fresh criticism is being directed at European leaders over what campaigners describe as a failure to take meaningful action to protect Syria’s Christian communities amid renewed sectarian violence and reports of incessant persecution.

Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry
Documentary celebrates women in Church ministry

Living Loving Serving: Women Leaders in the Church is the debut documentary film from Keep the Faith, Britain’s leading magazine about the black Christian community.