Covenant Church

Tim and I are now members of Covenant Church in Seoul!! We have been attending consistently since October 2009. We started help leading worship on Sunday mornings...well Tim has played piano and jimbay several times; I actually helped on vocals a few Sundays (who would have thought?!)

Covenant is a PCA church plant, that began about 2 years ago. Covenant has ties with Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York, however due to the economic crisis Redeemer could not officially support Covenant Church. The pastor of Covenant, Jae Yoo, went to Seminary in Mississippi and studied a year or two under Tim Keller (head pastor of Redeemer, NY). Covenant began as an English service, and has now grown, and we offer a Korean service. Covenant is unlike any other church in Seoul in this way; the English members are the foundation. On a given Sunday we have about 20 people in the congregation (English service). I am not exactly sure how many attend the Korean service, however I do know that it has grown rapidly and about 1/2 of those who attend on a consistent basis are non-believers. Since the congregations are so different Jae must prepare 2 separate sermons a week.

Other than the traditional Sunday morning services, Covenant also offers, Sunday Evening English service, 4 small groups to choose from based on location, Sunday School (help students learn English), Korean classes, and English classes. Tim and I attend Sunday morning service where, as said before, we help lead worship, along with a small group every Thursday in Itaewon (area near our house). --I want to add that the small groups provide experiences that we would otherwise not have in Korea. We have gotten to know individuals in the Church, yes, but we have also gotten chances to discuss our beliefs with one individual who has grown up Catholic however she has not attended church in several years. Anyways, she has several questions that have been the topic of our small group discussion a couple of times. What was one of the best experiences so far, was not the discussion, but the prayer afterwards. We went around and prayed for one another, when it was her turn she prayed for us in Korean... oh forgot to tell you she is Korean :). It was powerful to know that He heard and understood, even if we didn't know. We are all connected through Him! --

Tim and I have spoken with Jae and we are considering raising support through the program with our school, Network of International Christian Schools, for the church. In raising support through NICS, the funds given would be tax deductible for those giving. We plan to write up a letter and begin raising this summer!

Pastor Jae Yoo

English Congregation

Covenant Church

5th Floor Fineapple Bldg., 19-9, Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul