한국 교회 최초의 선교사 최관흘 (The First Missionary, Choi Kwanheul)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 장로회신학대학교 세계선교연구원
· 수록지 정보 : 선교와신학 / 19호 / 85 ~ 115페이지
· 저자명 : 정호상

초록

The Korean Church began to send missionaries even before it reached its 30th anniversary. Firstly, it sent Lee Kipoong to Jeju Island, which had indigenous culture and language distinctive from the other parts of the Korean Peninsula. And then, it inaugurated two international missionaries for Japan and Russia, where Korean immigrants and international students resided. This study attempts to map out the life work of Choi Kwanheul, one of the two earliest Korean missionaries, from which we can illuminate some of the lessons for further missionary endeavor in our time.
Choi Kwanheul was born in 1877 in Pyunganbuk-do, Jungju-kun. He was converted by his closest friend, Kim Sunpil, who received the gospel earlier than other two friends, i.e., Choi Kwanheul and Hong Jungik. In spite of the persecution from his parents, Choi Kwanheul kept his faith and entered Pyungyang Seminary with the recommendation of Pyungan Council. After graduating from the seminary in 1909, he was ordained on September 6 by Daehan Presbytery in order to be sent as a missionary to Russia.
He arrived in Vladi-vostok sometime before November, 1909. Trying to receive endorsement from Russian government for his missionary activities, he traveled as far as Khabarovsk, Harbin, and its vicinities, including Vladi-vostok area, bringing 400 souls to the Lord and founding Samil Church in Vladi-vostok in the first year of his ministry in Russia. As his successful missionary works attracted the attention of the Russian Orthodox Church, he had to face oppositions and obstacles. However, according to his report to the General Assembly in 1911, despite systematic resistance of the Orthodox Church, he made an alarming achievement; "There are two established churches with their own church building and thirteen groups meeting for regular worship service, consisting of 764 members, who annually contributes 902 Won 29 Jun.
In 1911 he wrote to Evangelism Department informing that mission was getting harder and he was experiencing financial shortage. Advised to return to Korea, he refused expecting improvement of the situation. He was arrested and imprisoned in November, 1911, and subsequently was to be expelled from Russia. Noticing this, the General Assembly resolved to discontinue the mission in the Maritime Province of Siberia. And then, Choi Kwanheul decided to join the Russian Orthodox Church in December 30, 1912.
As a catechist Choi Kwanheul was able to continue to proclaim the gospel to Korean immigrants. Through revival meetings, baptism preparation classes, and baptismal catechism, he taught the gospel to those who wanted to join the church. His effort was endorsed by the church, resulting its issuing some documents that demonstrate its revision of the missionary policy toward Korean immigrants. After its speedy collapse subsequent to the Communist revolution in 1917, it seems that Choi Kwanheul discontinued his membership in the Russian Church. As he continued to preach the gospel to Koreans, he was readmitted by the Korean Presbyterian Church in 1922 to be installed as senior pastor of Woojimi Church in Soochung area in the Maritime Province of Siberia.
From his missionary works we can learn that the most important thing in mission is not money but personal response to God's call. We also find that from the earliest international missionary work Korean missionaries were in close cooperation with other indigenous churches.

영어초록

The Korean Church began to send missionaries even before it reached its 30th anniversary. Firstly, it sent Lee Kipoong to Jeju Island, which had indigenous culture and language distinctive from the other parts of the Korean Peninsula. And then, it inaugurated two international missionaries for Japan and Russia, where Korean immigrants and international students resided. This study attempts to map out the life work of Choi Kwanheul, one of the two earliest Korean missionaries, from which we can illuminate some of the lessons for further missionary endeavor in our time.
Choi Kwanheul was born in 1877 in Pyunganbuk-do, Jungju-kun. He was converted by his closest friend, Kim Sunpil, who received the gospel earlier than other two friends, i.e., Choi Kwanheul and Hong Jungik. In spite of the persecution from his parents, Choi Kwanheul kept his faith and entered Pyungyang Seminary with the recommendation of Pyungan Council. After graduating from the seminary in 1909, he was ordained on September 6 by Daehan Presbytery in order to be sent as a missionary to Russia.
He arrived in Vladi-vostok sometime before November, 1909. Trying to receive endorsement from Russian government for his missionary activities, he traveled as far as Khabarovsk, Harbin, and its vicinities, including Vladi-vostok area, bringing 400 souls to the Lord and founding Samil Church in Vladi-vostok in the first year of his ministry in Russia. As his successful missionary works attracted the attention of the Russian Orthodox Church, he had to face oppositions and obstacles. However, according to his report to the General Assembly in 1911, despite systematic resistance of the Orthodox Church, he made an alarming achievement; "There are two established churches with their own church building and thirteen groups meeting for regular worship service, consisting of 764 members, who annually contributes 902 Won 29 Jun.
In 1911 he wrote to Evangelism Department informing that mission was getting harder and he was experiencing financial shortage. Advised to return to Korea, he refused expecting improvement of the situation. He was arrested and imprisoned in November, 1911, and subsequently was to be expelled from Russia. Noticing this, the General Assembly resolved to discontinue the mission in the Maritime Province of Siberia. And then, Choi Kwanheul decided to join the Russian Orthodox Church in December 30, 1912.
As a catechist Choi Kwanheul was able to continue to proclaim the gospel to Korean immigrants. Through revival meetings, baptism preparation classes, and baptismal catechism, he taught the gospel to those who wanted to join the church. His effort was endorsed by the church, resulting its issuing some documents that demonstrate its revision of the missionary policy toward Korean immigrants. After its speedy collapse subsequent to the Communist revolution in 1917, it seems that Choi Kwanheul discontinued his membership in the Russian Church. As he continued to preach the gospel to Koreans, he was readmitted by the Korean Presbyterian Church in 1922 to be installed as senior pastor of Woojimi Church in Soochung area in the Maritime Province of Siberia.
From his missionary works we can learn that the most important thing in mission is not money but personal response to God's call. We also find that from the earliest international missionary work Korean missionaries were in close cooperation with other indigenous churches.

참고자료

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