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Christianity Today, September (Web-only), 2007 |

Hostages' Pastor: 'Remorse Is the Face of the Church'

Interview with Park Eun-jo: 'I don't want this to be a stumbling block for missions.'

Sarah Pulliam | posted 9/04/2007 08:49AM

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The pastor said that because of the situation, he wants the church to send more missionaries to Muslim countries and Afghanistan after the ban is lifted.

"We believe that this is God's providence leading us to other Muslim countries," he said. "I don't want this to be a stumbling block for missions."

Related Elsewhere:

Some of the former hostages are now talking about their experience. Other news includes:

Taliban vow more abductions in Afghanistan | Afghanistan's Taliban vowed Tuesday to continue abducting foreign nationals, saying the kidnapping of 23 South Koreans showed the tactic was an effective tool against the government. (AFP)

South Korean hostages say left wills before Afghan trip | South Korean Christian activists held hostage by the Taliban said on Tuesday about half of the group of 23 church volunteers had left wills before leaving for Afghanistan. (Reuters)

Report: Taliban kidnapper killed | Afghan police killed a Taliban militant alleged to be behind the July kidnappings of 23 South Korean church workers, authorities said Tuesday. Up to 27 other insurgents were also slain, while separate suicide attacks killed three police officers. (Associated Press)

Ex-hostages say Taliban beat them for refusing to convert | Some of the South Korean Christian aid workers held hostage by Afghanistan's Taliban said they were beaten for refusing to convert to Islam and protecting female captives, a hospital chief said Monday. (AFP)

S. Korean hostages welcomed, scolded | Hostage group returns to Korea to relieved relatives and angry critics (ABC News)

South Koreans turn anger at hostages | South Korea's relief at the release of 19 countrymen held hostage by the Taliban gave way Friday to anger at the victims themselves, members of a Christian church who are being criticized for ignoring warnings against travel to Afghanistan. (Associated Press)

Previous weblogs and liveblog postings have commentary and links to news about the South Korean hostages in Afghanistan.

Other articles about South Korea and the hostage crisis in Afghanistan are available on our site.

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September (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51

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Anonymous

Posted: September 16, 2007 10:12 AM

Yeah, well the problem is that too many people want to suit for such a thing-as one respondent put it that if it were his family, he would be considering a law suit against the church. Jesus said such things would happen. I agree that people should not go for the wrong reasons, but then look at Jesus, He came for the right reasons and He was beaten and crucified. Someone might say that God would not do that or allow that. One soul won to the Lord is worth more than this world. Be led of the Spirit, reach the lost, be responsible in choices and don't make them out of emotion. I am glad someone out there is letting us know what is going on in the world. Thanks.

David

Posted: September 09, 2007 10:23 AM

I have mixed feelings. I have been a christian for 30 years. Missionaries who work in high risk areas without security training and or have QUALITY risk assessments and contingency plans is incredibly irresponsible in my opinion. Should that stop people from going? No. But count the cost. Be sure it is God leading you and not fame,maryterdom, personalities attracted to high risk behavior or a book deal when death occurs. If they were my brothers I might be considering a lawsuit against the church or mission agency.

a south korean

Posted: September 06, 2007 12:43 AM

to Rick Thiessen. i am willing to admit your truly faith. but i think you don't know the cultural difference between U.S.A and S. Korea. Christianity is not a traditional religion that korean people believed, rather it is a foreign one. unfortunately, many korean people hardly understand what you wanted to hear from 19 koreans. further, ordinary koreans may be provoked if they say what your wanted to be heard. most non-chrisitan koreans are generous to other religions, and believed that all religions should respect the truth of other religions. so they think they are insulted if they should be converted by a chrisitian faith. so sadly, most chrisitans and churchs in korea have an oppressive mission strategies.

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