The Christian Methodist Church in South Korea held its second Social Service Award ceremony on October 29 at Kwanglim Church in Seoul. The event recognized organizations and individuals for serving marginalized communities. The Holy Volunteer Team received the Scranton Award for improving housing conditions. Other recipients included the Namyun Methodist Women’s Mission Union for neighborhood support, the Cheongju Love Meal Sharing Group for free food delivery, Incheon Gojan Church, and the Love Naver Hamgab Community. Individual honorees were Elder Han Yeon-hee and youth member Cho Je-i. The awards honor the legacy of missionaries like Asbury and Scranton.
International church leaders met in Seoul, South Korea, on October 29 for the International Church Growth Institute's 50th anniversary conference. Speakers including Hendrik Bosdier, Satish Kumar Pakanati, Disan Wickramaratne, and Young-hoon Lee emphasized passing faith to the next generation. They urged pastors to prioritize disciple-making, personal integrity, and caring for individual congregants over mere numerical growth. The group stated that true revival requires obedience to the Holy Spirit and active engagement in evangelism rather than relying solely on past traditions or facilities.
A South Korean court has ruled that the Church of God, designated as a cult by major denominations, must demolish a building under construction in the Gamil district of Hwaseong and return the land to the Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH). The Suwon District Court Gyeonggi Branch ordered the church to pay approximately 6.31 billion won to the LH. The ruling addresses a dispute over a religious plot where the church allegedly paid excessive premiums during a 2020 purchase, violating public housing regulations that restrict resale for profit. The court also mandated the cancellation of ownership transfer registrations associated with the site.
The late Tak Myung-hwan, founder of the International Institute for Religious Issues in South Korea, endured persistent threats and legal battles while exposing groups masquerading as orthodox denominations. According to his memoirs, he received death threats and had explosives planted in his vehicle after issuing statements against cults. He also faced defamation lawsuits and injunctions for articles identifying these groups as heretical. Despite pressure from organizations using legitimate church names to deceive believers, he continued his investigative work to protect the public from religious deception.
Kim Myung-jin, a pastor sentenced for facilitating abuse at Light and Truth Church in Seoul, was reinstated on October 27. He was released early in March after serving part of a two-year sentence for forcing members to endure harsh conditions. Former moderators and church leaders attended the service, defending the reinstatement as a church choice rather than a disciplinary failure. Victims expressed deep distress, noting a lack of genuine apology or accountability. The Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong) Pyongyang Presbytery maintained that no canonical violations occurred, describing the contested actions as training. This event highlights ongoing tensions between legal convictions and church governance in South Korea.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Mathew Schwartz on UnsplashPersecuted church
An opinion piece in the Kukmin Ilbo argues that South Korea must protect religious facilities from displacement during urban redevelopment projects. The author states that churches and temples serve as vital community welfare centers but are often forced out due to a lack of specific legal provisions in the Urban and Residential Environment Improvement Act. Although a 2026 government interpretation allows for alternative sites, local practices and court rulings frequently ignore these guidelines. The article calls on the National Assembly, the presidential office, and the judiciary to establish clear laws and dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure fair relocation and prevent social conflict.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Markus Leo on UnsplashPersecuted church
A seminar honoring the late theologian Byun Sun-hwan was held outdoors at the Korean Methodist Theological University in Seoul on October 27 after the university denied indoor venue access. Organizers reported that approximately 100 attendees faced disruption from about 40 opponents who shouted slogans and sang hymns to block the event. The gathering featured speeches by pastors Hong Seung-pyo and Park Sung-yong, who examined the historical context of Byun’s 1992 excommunication. Pastor Jin Kwang-soo also spoke, praising Byun as a significant scholar. This marks the second conflict regarding events related to Byun at the institution this year.
South Korean churches launched a strategy to ensure military personnel maintain their faith after discharge. The 2026 Future Strategy Conference was held on October 28 at Yeongnak Church in Seoul. Surveys revealed that while many soldiers convert during service, 32% do not attend civilian churches afterward. Leaders emphasized the need for a connection system between military and local churches. Kim Kwang-sik, the new head of the Military Chaplain Corps, pledged to strengthen cooperation to help soldiers settle into congregations. The event included a transition ceremony for the chaplain corps leadership.
Faith Christian University & Theological Seminary in the US, led by President Samuel Yoon, hosted a seminar for 29 Malaysian pastors in South Korea from October 18 to 27. The event took place in Hwaseong and the Seoul metropolitan area, organized with the help of Getsemani World Mission Society. The program aims to train local clergy by offering degree pathways. Participants received computers and winter jackets to support their ministry and studies. Professors delivered lectures on theology and modern ministry, while attendees visited various Korean churches and sites. The university also announced upcoming admissions for the 2027 spring semester and an academic conference in November.
Six Coptic Christians in Egypt were released after detention for posting a comedy scene on TikTok. The incident occurred in a city in Minya Governorate, following online backlash that threatened community stability. Authorities initially charged them with blasphemy, but they were freed on residence guarantee. Separately, an engineer remains detained in a city in northern Egypt for criticizing Islamic religious education policies on Facebook. Human rights groups argue these actions violate freedom of expression and exacerbate sectarian tensions. These cases highlight ongoing concerns regarding religious freedom and legal pressures on Christians in Egypt, where the country ranks 42nd on the Open Doors 2026 World Watch List for persecution.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Aaron Burden on UnsplashGood news
Richard Bogonon, founder of Make Known, visited Seoul, South Korea, to promote his 'The Word One to One' evangelism method. He argues that traditional church events fail to connect with younger generations who view Christianity negatively. Instead, he advocates for simple, one-on-one Bible reading as a daily cultural practice. Bogonon shared examples from South Africa where this approach shifted congregational focus toward sharing the Gospel. He emphasized that the Gospel itself has power, not human rhetoric. His mission aims to transform church culture by encouraging believers to build relationships with non-Christians through shared scripture study rather than formal programs.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by John Onaeko on UnsplashGood news
Church Growth International (CGI) held its 50th anniversary World Church Growth Conference in Seoul, South Korea, on October 28. The event gathered over 3,000 pastors and leaders from 22 countries to reflect on the organization's history since its 1977 founding by Yoido Full Gospel Church. Speakers, including Pastor Lee Young-hoon and WAGF President Dominic Yeo, emphasized the role of the Holy Spirit and prayer in church expansion. The conference featured workshops on ministry strategies and concluded with events continuing through October 31 at venues in Seoul and Paju. The gathering highlighted CGI's global impact and future vision for church growth.
A Catholic priest and seven other hostages were released in Nigeria following a joint security operation. The priest had been held captive for five days after being abducted. Police and local vigilante groups arrested two suspects during the rescue. The victims received medical care at a hospital in the region. The local Catholic diocese expressed gratitude for the safe return. This event highlights ongoing kidnapping concerns in the area, where other religious figures remain missing or have faced similar attacks in recent months.
The Yongsan Jo Yong-ki Charity Foundation held a ceremony on October 27 at the Seogwipo City Hall to deliver an additional 40 million won for funeral expenses. This follows a previous 40 million won grant, bringing the total support to 80 million won. The funds assist low-income residents and those near the poverty line in Seogwipo, Jeju Province, covering up to 1 million won per person. Foundation Chairman Yoon Hong-ryeol and Seogwipo Mayor Kim Hee-chan attended the event. The foundation plans to collaborate with Jungmun Funeral Home to provide services and reduce financial burdens on grieving families in the region.
Comedian Kim Jae-woo and his wife Jo Yu-ri were appointed as ambassadors for the Miral Welfare Foundation in Seoul, South Korea, on October 21. The couple has supported the organization since 2019 through various charity campaigns, including fundraising for disabled children's medical expenses and volunteering. During the ceremony, artist Kim Ji-woo, whom they met through previous projects, appeared to congratulate them. The foundation states that the couple will now work to promote disability rights and spread a culture of giving through future social contribution activities. This appointment marks a new phase in their long-standing partnership with the welfare group.
A church in South Korea donated funds to a humanitarian organization to aid victims of floods in Nepal. The donation, raised by church members, was designated for emergency relief efforts. According to the organizations, the money will support affected children and residents with food, hygiene supplies, and essential goods. The aid aims to provide comfort and help restore daily life and education in the disaster-stricken areas. This collaboration highlights ongoing efforts to support international humanitarian needs through local church initiatives, demonstrating how faith communities can partner with NGOs to address global crises.
The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Illinois has agreed to a federal settlement requiring it to pay $105,351.25 in legal fees and damages to Child Evangelism Fellowship. The agreement, finalized on Wednesday, mandates that the district remove restrictions on Good News Clubs and grant them equal access to school facilities as nonreligious groups like the Boy Scouts. The lawsuit, filed in February, alleged that officials discriminated against the Christian organization by imposing higher rental fees and limiting material distribution. Liberty Counsel represented the group, citing First Amendment protections against viewpoint discrimination in public schools.
The Christian Angel Movement and Suryeo Hanbang Hospital signed a memorandum of understanding on October 14 in Osan, South Korea. The agreement aims to provide medical support for retired pastors, their families, missionaries, and those facing economic hardship. The Christian Angel Movement will identify and recommend individuals in need, while the hospital will offer clinical care and treatment based on medical necessity. Both organizations plan to expand cooperation into health counseling and community service. Leaders stated the partnership seeks to spread a culture of sharing and improve welfare for vulnerable groups in the church and society.
Cho Min-je, chairman of Kukmin Ilbo, honored his late father Cho Yong-gi during the Church Growth International 50th anniversary conference in Seoul on October 28. The event, attended by approximately 20,000 people from 22 countries, celebrated the organization founded in 1976 to share church growth principles globally. Cho Min-je announced that Kukmin Ilbo will launch an English website next month to expand its international reach. Speakers, including Dominic Yeo of the World Alliance of Messianic Congregations, emphasized the enduring impact of Cho Yong-gi's ministry on global Christianity. The conference runs through October 31 across multiple Seoul and Gyeonggi-do venues.
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