The Direction of the Theological Education of the Korean Adventist Church in Preparation for North Korea Mission and Unification

Abstract

Although most Christian denominations in Korea, including the Adventist church, started in the North Korean region, efforts for the North Korea mission have begun to become visible since the 1990s. However, mission efforts for North Korea have been carried out only by denominational efforts and local church activities, but they have not been included in the regular curriculum at theological schools. It is important to establish programs or courses for North Korean missions in regular theological education because it can play a great role as a bridgehead to prepare the church members for a unified Korea as well as to bring up and train people for North Korean missions. The Korean Adventist Church will be able to respond more quickly in this regard. It is necessary to establish a concrete master plan for North Korean missions at the denominational level and to provide theological education accordingly. First of all, opening two courses for general understanding of North Korea will help all the theology students to understand the basics of North Korea. Students in the overseas missions track may be interested in this field if they are given more opportunities to practice and engage in activities for North Korean missions as well as overseas. By establishing a Department of North Korean Studies in the theological seminary, Christians including Adventists can be professionals for North Korea missions.