“From Halla to Baekdu!
From Baekdu to the Ends of the Earth!”

From April 20 to 29, the Worship Ministry traveled to Country C for a ten-day outreach. As the ministry is responsible for all campus corporate worship (Thursday and Monday services), equipment management at Malmstadt Hall, and general technical support for schools, it was not easy for them to leave their posts. Nevertheless, there was a clear reason why they chose to go on this journey.

The first reason was their desire for the worship at UofN Jeju to become even more missions-oriented. American theologian John Piper once said:
“Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Missions is temporary, but worship is eternal. Worship must be both the goal and the fuel of missions.”
Like this statement, they longed for the worship in UofN Jeju to multiply missions and flow out toward the worship of the nations. The second reason was to fully embrace the vision of UofN Jeju. As declared in the song sung at the end of every corporate worship service: “The Wind of the Holy Spirit from Halla to Baekdu, The Kingdom of God from Baekdu to the ends of the earth” The UofN Jeju believes it exists as a missionary outpost to serve East Asia. The Worship Ministry desired to stand at the forefront of that calling, much like the priests and worshippers of Israel marched ahead, sounding trumpets as the people advanced.

With this heart, the Worship Ministry embarked on its first outreach trip in ten years. Eleven staff and five children stepped onto the land of C Country together.
The journey became a time of praying and worshiping while looking across the river toward the borderlands between China and North Korea, from the southernmost point to the northernmost point. However, they were not able to worship freely there, because religious gatherings not approved by the Chinese government are regarded as political assemblies.
It was deeply heartbreaking that the worship team could not freely worship in that land. Yet paradoxically, within those restrictions, the team was able to establish more deeply their identity as worshippers. They believed that even the simple act of worshippers stepping onto the land could invite the Kingdom of God into that place.

There was also a moment when they boarded a sightseeing boat and looked closely upon North Korean territory. The land appeared barren and desolate. On the Chinese side stood green mountains, but across the river most of the North Korean mountains were bare.
Though the same soil and environment existed on both sides, the stark contrast separated by only a river seemed to reflect the condition of the hearts and bodies of the North Korean people.
As they looked upon the land, one song naturally came to mind:

“Look upon the desolation of this land
O God of heaven, have mercy
Forgive our sins
Heal this land

Now let us all become one
As we rebuild the broken foundations of this land
Let the fire of the Holy Spirit come
To burn away our idols

Let the fire of revival rise
Let the word of truth renew this land
Let rivers of grace flow
Let the wind of the Spirit blow now

O Lord, bring a new day filled with Your glory
O Lord, let Your Kingdom come upon this land”

It is said that missionary Koh Hyungwon wrote the song “Revival” while looking toward North Korea. As the team sang this song in their hearts while gazing upon the land, they felt the heart of God being poured out upon them.
Even now, there are underground believers there risking their lives to keep their faith. They longed for the day when God would sustain those brothers and sisters, and when this nation would one day be united and together boldly proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Then they climbed Mount Baekdu. They anxiously wondered whether they would be able to see Heaven Lake, but thankfully they were able to witness its clear and beautiful view.
As they looked upon the snow-covered and frozen lake, they quietly sang “Wind of the Holy Spirit, Waves of Revival” in their hearts, praying and worshiping that the wind of the Holy Spirit would blow from Halla to Baekdu and fulfill God’s calling for their people.

Through this outreach trip, the worship of the Worship Ministry seemed to shift from worship centered on personal satisfaction to worship poured out toward the places where God’s heart rests. By physically stepping onto the land, seeing places in need of worship, praying, and worshiping there, they experienced the heart of God in a deeper way. They hope that even after returning home, their worship will continue without losing that heart.

They pray that the purpose and calling for which God established UofN Jeju would continually unfold through worship. The living God is still at work today, accomplishing His purposes. As they await the day of the return of Jesus Christ, they continue to worship and proclaim:

“From Halla to Baekdu! From Baekdu to the ends of the earth!”

ㅡKiwung Kim, Worship Ministry