Far East Broadcasting Company - Korea is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding this year with several events at home and abroad, including Saturday’s mass baptism of some 5,000 military personnel.

Following is a Q&A with the Rev. Billy Jang-hwan Kim, FEBC - Korea chairman.

What was the reason for the mass baptism ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of FEBC - Korea?

For the past 60 years Far East Broadcasting Company - Korea has been leading efforts to spread the gospel among Koreans and around the world through radio broadcasts. The mass baptism ceremony can be understood in that context. Arming the young military personnel, who are the future of Korea, with faith is the highest calling for me as a faithful, but also an act of supreme patriotism by someone who comes from a generation that suffered the Korean War.

Several ministers have come from the U.S. to officiate the event.

During the Korean War, countless young American youths gave up their lives for Korea, a small country in the Far East whose name they had never even heard of before.

The American ministers attending the baptism came to Korea because of Christ’s love. For many of them, this is their first visit to Korea. They came to plant the seed of Christ’s love in the young soldiers. We may be of difference race, but I am sure that the soldiers, seeing the American pastors pray in earnest for them, felt the love of Jesus. Jesus’ love and the gospel transcend races and national boundaries.

You are known for your passion for military mission work.

The future of Korea and Korean churches lie with the young generation. The older generation has the responsibility to lead the young generation who are our future. 

As a faithful, I believe that only the Christian gospel holds the answer for young people who are anxious and fearful about the uncertain future.

Military mission work is the best opportunity to spread the gospel to the young generation. Military service, which is mandatory for all Korean men, is a golden opportunity for mission work.

FEBC - Korea is participating in the fund-raising for a new building for the Yeonmudae Military Church. It has also donated some 10,000 books on Christian spirituality to the Army, Navy and Air Force churches as well as the Marine churches.

FEBC - Korea has also opened book cafes in military bases around the country and plans to continue donating books on Christian faith and opening more book cafes.

FEBC - Korea is celebrating its 60th year. What are your visions for the future?

The past 60 years have been dedicated solely to radio broadcast mission work under the slogan “Only Gospel.” Those were also years of obediently following God’s lead.

FEBC - Korea will continue to spread the gospel through broadcasts. I am confident that the gospel is the only answer that can achieve unification of the two Koreas and heal our polarized society.

FEBC - Korea’s slogan for this year is “60 Years and Again.” I look forward to the day when FEBC - Korea can spread the gospel in the unified Korean Peninsula.

By Kim Hoo-ran (khooran@heraldcorp.com)