A letter from Sook Hee Bae, home from Korea
December 2012 — Last newsletter
Greetings. Joyful Christmas time is around the corner!
Recognition as a honorably retired minister at the Palisades Presbytery stated meeting Nov. 20, 2012
It is almost nine months since KJ and I have moved back to the U.S.A. for good. As you know, I broke my femur in May 2011 after KJ and I hosted Union Seminary students in Seoul, Korea, and we have decided to retire because of my health conditions. When I look back on my 12 years with women's ministry in Korea, it is totally God’s Grace and your prayers and support. My mission assignment was working with the Women Ministers Association (WMA) for clergywomen of the Korean Presbyterian Church (PCK). This was in the year 2000. At that time there were only a little over 100 ordained women ministers in the PCK, but when I left Korea early this year there are more than 1,400 ordained clergywomen. I believe that we still need to empower women ministers in the Korean church community and I keep praying for them.
I have many good and meaningful memories of the last 12 years in ministry working with clergywomen as well as two shelters: one is “Good News Shelter” for domestic violence victims and the other one is “Another Home” for runaway young girls. I still vividly remember Ms. Suh, who was abused by her husband and came to Good News Shelter. She is one of many domestic violence victims who came to the shelter. Ms. Suh accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized at the Yeji church, which is the memorial church of women ordination in the WMA. An annual baptism ceremony for soldiers of the Korea Army Training Camp is another memorable ministry while I worked with the NKPW (National Korea Presbyterian Church).
In 2005 KJ joined with me in Korea, and he was commissioned as a mission co-worker in 2007, working with me in team ministry. He helped me in my ministry in many ways. We are really grateful to God for letting us work for His Kingdom. Also I give my sincere thanks to Presbyterian World Mission, supporting churches, colleagues, and all the friends who have supported our ministry with prayers and financial support. Also we give our thanks to our three sons' families, who care for us and support us.
KJ and I settled down in Skillman, N.J., in March of this year. KJ retired July 31 this year and I will retire the end of December this year. I spend time at a fitness center almost every morning and with your prayers my health is improving. Even as we retire as active mission co-workers of the PC(USA), KJ and I will continue to be witnesses, to serve God and keep praying for World Mission.
I love to share about my women's ministry in Korea. Therefore you may contact to me any time. My e-mail address is shbpcusa@yahoo.com.
Thank you again, all of you who support my mission work in Korea.
KJ and I pray for you, your family and your church to have wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
Grace and Peace,
Sook Hee and KJ Bae
The 2012 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 196
Read more about Sook Hee and K.J. Bae's ministry
Write to Sook Hee
Write to K.J. Bae
Give to Sook Hee and K.J. Bae's support
