VANCOUVER, Wash. – On the morning of Sunday, June 19, General Assembly commissioners, delegates and other participants were invited to worship with numerous communities in the Portland, Oregon, area.
Over 40 guests arrived by bus to Vancouver Korean Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, Washington, and were enthusiastically welcomed to worship and a generous fellowship gathering. Together all celebrated the ministry of the church and were encouraged by the preaching of pastor Sun Bai Kim, associate for Korean Intercultural Congregational Support of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
The church is a thriving Korean congregation located a short 20-minute ride from downtown Portland. The congregation was founded in 1980 and moved into its own sanctuary in 1993. There are two worship services simultaneously: a Korean service with on-screen English translation and a college/youth service in English. The church is a predominantly first-generation Korean-American congregation that strives to maintain its Presbyterian roots from Korea, its ties to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and its central role in the Korean immigrant community.
Sun Bai Kim brought greetings from the denomination and preached on the gospel as good news as the core of the church’s message. The worship service was filled with musical offerings and heartfelt prayers. Guests were invited to stand and be recognized by the congregation. Afterwards, all enjoyed a generous meal prepared by the congregation.
Lydia Choi, a Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD) from Eastern Korean Presbytery said of the experience: “I was so thankful for the church’s hospitality – whether through the thoughtfully translated service or the friendly smiles and handshakes, I could feel their warm welcome, which was such a blessing at the beginning of a busy week to come.”
