Our Roots
In the middle of the nineteenth century, a most difficult time in Korean history, two Koreans were baptized by a Scottish Presbyterian missionary in Manchuria. This was in 1876. They, with several other Koreans who were later baptized, embarked on the enormous task of translating the Bible into the Korean tongue. After many months of hard work, the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts were translated and published in the Korean language in the fall of 1882.
The first Presbyterian missionary, H. G. Underwood, and the first Methodist missionary, Henry Appenzeller, arrived together in the port of Incheon on Easter Sunday in April 1885 and this is usually considered the beginning of protestant mission in Korea. They were able to begin their work in Korea with important parts of the New Testament already translated and printed. This was an unprecedented event in the history of Christian missions. The so-called Nevius Plan of missionary work based on the principles of self-government, self-support and self-propaganda has marked the fundamental spirit of Korean Presbyterianism almost from the beginning. This plan has gone far to facilitate the formation and rapid growth of the church as an indigenous national body.
Our Vision
We as Korean American Presbyterians are and will be full partners of evangelism and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We are fully committed to the mission of the church without losing our ethnic identity and faith experiences. We are working toward shaping a new church where people see others as God's children and human beings mutually appreciative, responsible and interdependent.
Our Gifts
- Enthusiasm in worship, prayer and Bible Study
- Commitment to evangelism
- Determination to self-support, self-government and self-propagation
- Theological reflection: Korean immigration theology and multicultural ministry
