Korean Methodist Church celebrates 120th anniversary

2023 marks the 120th anniversary of the Wonsan Revival Movement led by missionary Robert A. Hardie, who is considered the father of the Korean Church Revival Movement. Hardie, a Canadian medical missionary appointed by the Southern Methodist Church, began his evangelism work by practicing medicine in Wonsan, Hamgeyongnamdo within the northern Gangwon-do region. Although he worked diligently for five years, his work did not bear significant fruit. Amidst his concern, he led a 1-week prayer meeting in Wonsan that started on 24 August 1903. He realized that his hard work was useless without the presence of the Holy Spirit. After, he openly confessed his sins of being arrogant and disregarding Koreans at a Sunday service held at Wonsan Methodist Church on 24 August 1903. His personal repentance ignited the fire of repentance in the hearts of Koreans and it became the fuse that started a great revival movement in Wonsan.

The Korean Methodist Church aspires to have this experience of repentance and revival once again through the “120th Anniversary Commemoration of Missionary Hardie’s Spiritual Awakening” after the period of spiritual stagnation during the Covid-19 pandemic. We pray that our society will be able to experience Hardie’s spiritual awakening and revival once again. There will be a “commemoration relay” hosted at different regions across Korea over four meetings.

1. Southern Region: 17 August (Thursday) at Busan Onnuri Church

2. Gangwon Region: 20 August (Sunday) at Gangneung Central Church

3. Central Region: 22 August (Tuesday) at Daejeon Hanbit Church

4. Seoul, Metropolitan Area: 24 August (Thu) at Good Shepherd Church