The Salvation Army in Korea enters its Second Century

There exists a growing, vibrant and ultra-modern Salvation Army who hardly know of any barriers when it comes to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. The 100 year anniversary Jubilee Congress was quite different than those celebrated in the USA or Europe. It was aimed primarily at people "outside" of the Salvation Army.

TSA had seized on the enormous "Seoul Plaza" in the heart of the 10-million city of Seoul. Over the course of a week thousands of people visited the many exhibition booths and tents, where professional presentations took place highlighting the Army's diverse work in Korea with great props and hundreds of Salvationists everywhere to greet and provide information to the public.

"Youth Cultural Festival"

On Friday evening there was a, "Youth Cultural Festival" at this huge plaza, which attracted an estimated 20,000 listeners, mostly young people. Present were famous Korean artists (professing Christians), and many modern SA bands, great vocalists from the Salvation Army, dance groups, street dance and humor.

Sunday Evening - A great salvation meeting plaza with over 20,000 people, all sitting on the ground. Lots of idle policemen, who sang along with the songs. Everything was reported on giant big screens and using advanced information technology sponsored by the Korean world-leading brands such as Samsung and LG. The major TV channels in Seoul stood in line to broadcast the meetings from the Plaza.

The Congress highlight was the Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday morning in Changchoong Arena. An hour before the meeting began a crowd of 12,000 had assembled. Several thousand were turned away from the meeting due to lack of space and watched the meeting on a big screen outside the building.

The general, Shaw Clifton, said, “the Salvation Army in South Korea is a well kept secret in the Salvation Army. That can not continue, we have much to learn from them”.

Facts about Salvation Army in Korea

Korea has undergone profound historical changes in the last 100 years, from the Japanese occupation to independence and then the Korean War in the early 50's. Since the 50s, the country has experienced something of an economic miracle. TSA during this period had an incredible growth. Today there are 43,000 Salvation Army soldiers, 10,000 civilian members, 7000 junior soldiers, nearly 800 officers, 62 cadets, over 800 civilian employees, over 100 000 Volunteer members, a variety of social institutions, the business of government schools, a private technical college, professional medical assistance to the needy, including many children from North Korea and Russia.

(Sven Ljungholm) fsaof.blogspot.com