ⓒ 2008 WATV

Now, the gospel workers are busier than ever before, running to the vast world to fulfill the prophesied world mission, only depending on the words of God who said, “Go!” They are actively preaching at every corner of the globe, and as a result, the overseas brothers and sisters are continuously flying to Korea like clouds and doves. Missionary Gyeong-Hwan Kim, who is carrying out the missionary work in Auckland, New Zealand, came to Korea for a short stay. He received a greater mission and blessing from God while staying in Korea, and when we met him, he was getting ready to go back to New Zealand to share the blessings with his brothers and sisters in the Auckland Church. We heard the news about the Auckland Zion from Missionary Gyeong-Hwan Kim. Although physically he was here for this interview, his heart was still in New Zealand.


First, we’d like to hear the status of the gospel work in New Zealand.

It hasn’t been long since Zion was established in New Zealand. New Zealand consists of two huge islands-the North Island and the South Island. Wellington, the capital of the country, and Auckland, the best commercial and educational city, are located in the North Island; and the city of Christchurch is in the South Island. It was October, 2004, when I was given the gospel mission for New Zealand. At that time, only a few Korean members, who had moved to New Zealand for personal reasons, education or gospel work, were preaching in difficult circumstances.

As soon as I arrived in Auckland, I began to preach God’s truth boldly together with them, being one in mind. What I am especially thankful to God for is that Mother poured out so much blessings from the beginning when we preached in Auckland. New Zealanders were continually led to the truth, so we were blessed to expand our Church twice in succession, and last September, God blessed us to establish a branch Church in Christchurch, South Island. Now, about 200 brothers and sisters are taking the lead in finding the heavenly brothers and sisters, praising our Elohim.


How is the gospel work in the Auckland Church coming along?

First, let me tell you about New Zealand. There are many different races living together in New Zealand, including the native New Zealanders and immigrants from Europe, Asia, India, China, South America and so on. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, and has an ideal climate and beautiful scenery all around the land. In addition to that, it is known as one of the best countries to live in for its good welfare policy. However, since it is too peaceful, many people lose the will to live, and it causes a very high rate of unemployment and suicide among the young people. Most people in New Zealand have their own goal and work hard to accomplish it, but there are also many who work just to have a nice summer vacation. Moreover, it is very hard to find people with sincere faith even though New Zealand is a Christian country. Many people claim to be Christian, but do not go to church. When we preach God’s word to them, they listen to us very politely, but that’s it. Spiritually, they are complacent and dried up, so they hardly open their minds.

Despite this situation, we met many brothers and sisters who submitted themselves to God’s word and received the truth. We truly know that all this was possible thanks to the grace of our heavenly Father and Mother, because the Korean members and I spoke very poor English. In the past, looking at the prophecy of the world mission being accomplished so rapidly, I asked God to use me as an instrument for the overseas gospel work. However, I was not able to speak a foreign language. From the very moment I began to preach in Auckland, I faced language barrier. The members who spoke English helped me out a lot, but they all left for Korea about two months after I got there. The brothers and sisters and I, who were left, didn’t know what to do, because there was no one to help us teach the new brothers and sisters in English. However, this situation made us depend on God all the more.

What was surprising was that we were given more fruits in this situation. I still remember what happened. It was around the end of December which was the summer vacation season. Although we spoke very poor English, we boldly went out to preach the Word. Although we mainly used body language when preaching, many New Zealanders were led to Zion every day. Actually, since most people had left for vacation, the city looked empty. I can’t describe how overjoyed and thankful I was. It was truly help from God.

We sometimes humorously say that the weakest ones are accomplishing the gospel work in the Auckland Zion. I think that’s why we always ask God for help and rely on Mother for all things. By the power of Mother who helps the weakest children, the fruit of the gospel is being borne in Auckland.


Tell us about the brothers and sisters in New Zealand.

Most of the New Zealand brothers and sisters go to work, and they preach the gospel whenever they have time. A member works from early in the morning until the afternoon, and preaches the gospel or visits other members until late at night. And a member bore 10 fruits in a month by preaching diligently despite his poor health. All the brothers and sisters are preaching earnestly and bearing fruit even in unfavorable circumstances.

During the Preaching Festival of the Feast of Tabernacles this year, we were determined to fulfill the prophecy of the Feast of Tabernacles, and preached the gospel until late at night. As a result, we were blessed to lead about 40 new people to Zion. Unlike in Korea, in New Zealand, once the sun sets, you can hardly find people in the streets; all the stores are closed and it is very quiet and dark. Even in this situation, fruits were born, and the brothers and sisters were very amazed and moved.

The brothers and sisters, who have realized the truth, desire to visit Korea to see the glory of heavenly Jerusalem. And those who have visited Korea as the members of the Overseas Visiting Group all grow to be strong gospel workers, receiving Mother’s love both physically and spiritually, and they become an example for other brothers and sisters. It’s very touching to see them realize that they are sinners and repent of their sins before heavenly Mother.

They repent of their past shortcomings and are truly thankful for the grace of Father and Mother who have come to save them. When I see them, I understand why God told me to “go.” I give thanks to God for blessing me to come to New Zealand in obedience to the call of Mother.


What are the realizations you have obtained from the overseas mission?

We already know the result of the prophecy. How glorious and marvelous it will be! However, the process for accomplishing the prophecy may seem very humble. Many brothers and sisters envy those working as missionaries overseas and the blessings as well. However when I actually arrived at the Auckland Airport, I felt as if I didn’t have anything. In Korea, I preached the gospel as a minister with many brothers and sisters who already had strong faith, but when I arrived in New Zealand, a spiritually barren land, I realized that I was very weak.

I used to think that I had always depended on God in doing the gospel work, but carrying out the overseas I felt strongly that I should rely on God all the more. I had no idea what to do. Nothing was easy. That’s why I depended on only God, and I found myself giving more sincere thanks and glory to God.

As time passes by, I long more and more for heavenly Mother. In ancient times, there was a wall called “Wailing Wall” in Israel. The Jews, who loved Jerusalem but couldn’t go there, wailed once a year, leaning on the wall of Jerusalem that had lost its glory and become barren. I feel I am like them. Although I long for heavenly Mother, I can’t be with Her all the time and it makes my heart break. When I visit Korea once in a while and meet Mother, I become more eager to work hard so that Mother can regain Her glory as soon as possible. It is the same everywhere, but especially for me the overseas land is the best gospel field, because we receive indescribable precious blessings and realizations every day.


Were there any difficulties you faced while preaching there?

As I have mentioned, my lack of English was a difficulty that I faced. When I first visited the New Zealand members’ houses, I prayed very eagerly because I didn’t understand what they were talking about. I prayed during the whole conversation.

However, I didn’t forget what Mother told me when She entrusted me with the mission to preach in New Zealand. Mother said, “Be united with the brothers and sisters through love and save a soul with an eager mind, not with the language ability alone.” Engraving the words of Mother in my heart over and over again, I tried to preach only the words of God. Then the difficulty I faced because of the language didn’t last long. God gave me the ability to speak better English every day. Although I’m still not good at English, the brothers and sisters, who remember how my English was at the beginning, realize God’s amazing power and give glory to God when they see me delivering sermons in English now.

Another barrier besides language is the difference in culture and the ways of thinking. Even though we are able to understand each other, misunderstandings sometimes occur because of the differences in thinking. Since various races live together in New Zealand, there are quite a few problems though they are not big ones. But the Bible says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”(Galatians 3:28). In Apostolic times also, there must have been problems because of the differences in language, culture and social position, because many races gathered together. However, as there was one truth, eventually they all became one. When we only follow the truth and teachings of the Bible, not insisting on our own culture, we can all become united in the heavenly culture. If you look at the photos of the overseas brothers and sisters, you can see that they all smile brightly even though they are of different races. Now, I know that until they were able to smile like that, they sacrificed themselves to consider others first, following the example of heavenly Mother’s sacrifice. The members of the Auckland Zion, who have become more mature with this realization, are blessed a lot, being united in the word of God.


Do you have any message for the members who are planning to preach overseas?

There is a saying that goes, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” This means that where there is no will, there is no way. First, we need to have a will and make a plan. When we clearly know about the prophecy of God and have a will to accomplish it, you will find a way. However, if your will is not firm, which means if you just want to try preaching overseas because it looks good or many people are doing it, then it will be very hard to find a way or obtain a good result.

The gospel will surely be preached throughout the world as God prophesied. God sends those who understand the prophecies of God clearly and are determined to fulfill them. When you have a firm faith and will to accomplish the overseas mission, you will be able to delightfully overcome the difficulties, which you may face during the overseas preaching, and also bear fruits. I think the most important thing is to have a will. When you realize the sacrifice and love of God fully and have a firm will for overseas preaching, God will surely open a way for you. I pray that many of our brothers and sisters will participate in the glorious blessing through the overseas preaching, praying, seeking and knocking, so that the world mission will be accomplished quickly.


We’d like to know your Church plans for the gospel work in Auckland.

Our goal is to establish Zion in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. Wellington is about 10 hours away from Auckland by car. We’ve been continually preaching and bearing fruits there. And Auckland is a large city, so we’d like to build more branch Churches in that city. We will try to please heavenly Mother by finding more brothers and sisters, and accomplish the prophecy of the world mission.

The word “mission” is deeply engraved in my heart. When the Apostle Paul preached the gospel, he was put in danger many times. However, he was able to keep preaching because he had a mission. As long as we carry out our mission, God leads us and controls everything. Even though I am lacking in many areas, I’ve received the great mission to preach all over New Zealand, so I will do my best to carry out my mission to the end. I give thanks to heavenly Mother for choosing these weak children to display Her amazing power. We will make every effort to continually convey the good news that we are bearing new life every day.