“After liberation, the first purge was carried out, resulting in the deaths of many pastors and believers. In 1958, a large-scale purge against believers was again conducted after the war, during which believers were exiled to remote mountainous areas such as Onseong and Sambong. Even in exile, the believers continued to worship centered around their homes, enduring investigations and interrogations. Tithes were conveyed through their children. Until the 1990s, we collected herbs on my grandfather’s mountain to sell, made envelopes, and saved our tithes.” This is the testimony of Evangelist Kim Bong-sook, who has maintained her faith for four generations in North Korea, as she spoke at the November Kairos Prayer Meeting.
“Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end; upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:7 (North Korean Parallel Bible) Just as this verse proclaims, we praise God, the King who rules over North Korea, for preserving the roots of faith among believers amidst the pain and suffering of many pastors and believers being killed and families being exiled to remote areas due to the purges against Christians. We also praise God for protecting the underground church in North Korea, allowing faith to be passed down to the next generation even in the midst of severe persecution and surveillance.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
