Muslim Mission Workshop Seeks to Educate Leaders in South Korea

The Adventist Mission department of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) recently hosted a workshop in South Korea that focused on mission work to Muslims. It aimed to equip its pastors and missionary families with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective ministry.

Held at the Adventist Training Center in Wonju, the Muslim Mission Workshop spanned July 2 to 5 and saw the participation of approximately 50 Korean pastors and missionary families.

With the recent addition of four new countries to the NSD, the Muslim population in the division has surged to 400 million. This workshop aimed to prepare church leaders in Korea to engage effectively in Muslim mission, creating an environment of learning, discussion, interaction, and prayer.

The daily schedule was meticulously planned to maximize learning and engagement. Each morning began with devotionals led by various leaders, followed by a continuous series of lectures until the evening.

Samuel Lumwe, associate director for the General Conference Global Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations, served as the main speaker, delivering insightful lectures on the history, theology, beliefs, and culture of Islam. In addition, Raquel Arrais, NSD women’s ministries director; Kim SunHwan, NSD Adventist Mission director; Gee SungBae, president of Pakistan Adventist Seminary and College, and other pastors and missionaries provided valuable teachings on Islam and Muslim communities. The daily program ended with the group prayer session focused on the Muslim mission.

The Muslim Mission Workshop successfully provided church leaders with crucial insights into Islamic beliefs and cultures, supplemented by personal stories from mission fields, church leaders said. These sessions were designed not only to educate but also to inspire and empower attendees to engage in meaningful and compassionate ministry in Muslim communities.

Eight Young People Baptized in Pakistan

One of those countries with a majority Muslim population is Pakistan. The Children’s Ministries Department of the Pakistan Union Section recently witnessed a momentous occasion, celebrating the baptism of eight young individuals who committed their lives to Jesus. Under the sweltering heat of 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) on June 16, these young people publicly declared their faith, embracing Jesus as their personal Savior.

Inspired by the biblical principle found in Proverbs 22:6, local church leaders, Sabbath School leaders, and pastors have been diligently working to nurture the spiritual growth of their young congregation, regional church leaders said. Through leadership training sessions and seminars titled “Parents as Guides,” they have equipped parents and coordinators to effectively guide the youth, viewing them as a precious heritage of God.

Farzana Maqsood, Children’s Ministries director for the Pakistan Union Section expressed profound gratitude to the local church Children’s Ministries coordinators, Sabbath School leaders, and pastors. “Their dedication and hard work have led this special group of children to the path of righteousness. We are confident that as they grow older, they will remain steadfast in their faith,” she said.

Children’s Ministries focuses on the wholistic development of children from birth to 14 years old. While Sabbath School provides weekly religious education, Children’s Ministries aims to engage children in a variety of activities and ministries, helping them grow in their faith and maintain a close relationship with Jesus daily. The recent baptismal celebration stands as a testament to the effectiveness of these ministries, highlighting the importance of early spiritual education and its enduring impact on young lives.

The original version of this story was posted on the Northern Asia-Pacific Division news site.