Kyung-Chik Han

Kyung-Chik Han (1902–2000)[2] was a Korean pastor and church planter and the recipient of the 1992 Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.[3]


Kyung-Chik Han

Born
Han Kyung-Chik

(1902-12-09)9 December 1902
Kan-ri, Korea
Died19 April 2000(2000-04-19) (aged 97)
NationalityKorean
Other namesPastor Han
CitizenshipRepublic of Korea
Alma mater
OccupationCleric, theologian, author
Parent(s)Do-pung Han & Mrs Lee
ReligionChristianity (Presbyterian)
ChurchPresbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap)
Ordained
  • 1933
[1]
WritingsKyung-Chik Han collection, May the Words of My Mouth
Congregations served
Youngnak Presbyterian Church, Seoul
Kyung-Chik Han
Hangul
한경직
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHan Gyeong-jik
McCune–ReischauerHan Kyŏngjik

Born in Kan-ri, P'yŏngwŏn County, Korea, Han graduated from Soongsil University (B. S. 1925), the College of Emporia (B. A. 1926), and Princeton Theological Seminary (B. D. 1929). Ordained in 1933 by the Presbyterian Church of Korea, Han later founded Youngnak Presbyterian Church in 1945, which he pastored until 1973 and served as a Pastor Emeritus until his death. At the time that he received the Templeton Prize, membership of Youngnak Presbyterian Church had grown to 60,000 making it the largest Presbyterian church in the world and the church had fostered about 500 sister churches worldwide.[4]

Legacy

Kyung-Chik Han is primarily known for his leadership and humility. While Young-nak is no longer the biggest church in South Korea, it is, however, the most prominent Protestant church in the country. Like Kyung-Chik Han himself, his church's earliest ministry was primarily to northern defectors and this remains a hallmark of Young-nak church to this day.

When he was awarded a Templeton prize, he sold it and gave the money to charity. When he retired he moved to a modest cabin in the mountains and ensured that his sons did not receive the inheritance from his ministry or assume his position as many ministers in Korea do. There is a small museum at Young-nak Church in his honour.[5]


References

  1. "South Korean Pastor Wins Templeton Prize". orlandosentinel. Religious News Service. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  2. "Kyung-Chik Han collection". University of Toronto Libraries. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  3. Templeton Foundation Press: Sir John Templeton Archived 2008-01-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. CHRONICLE - New York Times New York Times
  5. Johnson, Andrew. "A Crisis of Integrity in Seoul, the Megachurch Capital of the World". UFC-Dornife. University of Southern California. Retrieved 25 April 2020.

Bibliography

  • Just Three More Years to Live! The Story of Rev. Kyung-Chik Han. 2005 ISBN 89-5721-439-9
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.