On Reformation Sunday, October 27, approximately 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service aimed at “uniting for repentance, revival and restoration of holiness in our society” in Seoul, South Korea.
Organizers reported that around 1.1 million participants attended in person despite adverse weather conditions, with another 1 million joining online. This unprecedented event brought together Korean churches from various denominations, affirming traditional marriage and family values while praying for their nation.
The event was initially triggered by concerns from Korean Christian leaders regarding an anti-discrimination law, which they fear could lead to the legalization of gay marriage and permit trans ideology that could harm families and limit the freedoms of churches to practice their faith. Church Leaders pointed to the experiences of Western countries like the U.K. and Canada as cautionary examples of what could happen if believers do not take a stand.
“Through this worship service that we offer today in spirit and truth, I hope that families and churches will thrive, and that both the Korean church and the global church will experience a new revival,” said Rev. Jung-Hyun Oh, senior pastor of Sarang Church, addressing attendees, as reported by Christian Daily Korea.
During the worship service, three sermons were delivered, emphasizing the Church’s need to speak out in order to protect families and children. One pastor prayed, “Please accept our repentance and protect our families.”
The event also featured speakers from the U.K. and Germany, who urged Korean Christians to avoid the same paths their countries have taken and instead serve as a beacon for churches around the world, shining the light of God’s truth.
“Who would have thought that Britain would forget God? But it has,” stated Andrea Williams, a lawyer from Wilberforce Academy in the U.K. “They have removed Jesus Christ from public life. People don’t know who Jesus is. They have legislated the right to kill the unborn, gay marriage. Street preachers are jailed, and those who give out Bibles or pray at work are punished. While all this has happened, the churches of Britain have been asleep.”
As a symbol of their unity and commitment, the participating churches issued a joint declaration “to renew the Republic of Korea.”
This statement addresses the crisis of values and conveys repentance for the Church’s failure to fulfill its responsibilities thus far. It emphasizes the protection of the family and affirms the rights of individuals to “freedom of religion, speech, thought, and expression,” along with the Church's role as salt and light in society. Additionally, it calls on the government, the Constitutional Court, the National Assembly, and the Ministry of Education to refrain from passing laws that permit gay marriage or promote homosexuality and gender ideology in school curricula.
The organizing committee remarked, “Those gathered pledged to fulfill the church’s social role and reaffirmed their solidarity as a faith community. This service will remain as an important moment for the Korean church to reflect on its social responsibility and the essence of faith, and as a milestone that suggests the direction and role the Church should take.”
