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Sunday Service Times
Woori Korean Methodist Church
About Us
Woori church has been holding services in the Community Hall of Knox church, located in the centre of the city, for 5 years, and we are different from other Korean churches. The students of Dunedin who are aiming for Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy are usually international students from Asia rather than residents of New Zealand, so we hold our services as an 'All Nation Church'. The majority of students who gather at our church are international students, including students from China, Malaysia and a variety of other countries. As suited to an 'All Nation Church', our sermons are held in both Korean and English, and sometimes sermons and translations are held simultaneously.
To uphold our image as an 'All Nation Church' we have occasions when we seek to associate actively with New Zealanders. Twice a year, by visiting rest homes, we try to give strength to our community, and we introduce our Korean culture to 'Kiwi' churches by holding combined sermons.
Due to the beautiful natural environment, its great education atmosphere, as well as the fact that living and educational costs are cheaper here than in other English-speaking countries, many students seek to study in New Zealand. However, realistically the cost of studying in New Zealand is not cheap. Although it is increasingly important for students to succeed due to this reason, as is shown in the media, the probability of failure is greater than the probability of success. Leaving their home country, students leave behind a familiar language and environment to suddenly suffer from culture shock and language difficulties, and end up spending their teenage years and early twenties here. Being away from caring parents, the students may experience loneliness, however, it may also be an opportunity to become independent. In addition, at a period where they should be enjoying themselves, students in New Zealand find themselves in a place where the entertainment culture is not well developed, and yet find they are unable to fully appreciate the natural environment.
At this most important phase, investing a lot of money and effort, failure to be a successful international student results in loss to their family, their country, as well as damage to their potential for the future. However, success in their international studies would be a great advantage. In some ways, this country is a place where the select few gather, and where the future elites are formed. If these selected children succeed, they will become great rewards to God's kingdom as his workers, and will be used for missions. They will be given the chance to prepare for missions, which is why it is essential for missionaries to reach the international students of New Zealand.
To this end, Woori Methodist Church has two visions for the future. Firstly, our church's vision is for Korea, New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch) and Dunedin to be in a harmonious and stable triangle. Dunedin has students coming not only from other regions of New Zealand to study Health Sciences, but also many students from Korea. If we can transform these students into mature believers by the time they return to their homes, we will have the pleasure of continuing to guide them after they have left. Another way is to form a balanced triangular relationship within regions. To repeat, our church's vision is to forge a relationship between the Korean churches (Full Gospel church, Evergreen church, Woori church) and the regional churches (Chinese, Japanese, European churches). The most important thing in Dunedin is for the churches to bond a friendship with cooperation and harmony, and create a future together. In particular, Woori church wishes to further our image and reputation as an 'All Nation Church', and even now have sister Chinese and Japanese churches. Further, we are in close cooperation with Kiwi churches and share a united relationship. Should Dunedin Woori Methodist church begin the pastoral visions we have outlined above, we will have not only local connections but also national and perhaps global connections, allowing us to locate other faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, we have 6 church missions:
- Counselling. Through counselling, we can show international students solutions to troubles regarding loneliness, career, friendships and opposite genders.
- Settlement. Upon first arriving in New Zealand, international students do not know where to begin or what to do, therefore we help them to settle and adapt effortlessly into student life.
- Information. Information is time and money. By offering a variety of information, we keep students from making mistakes arising from lack of information.
- Leisure. Although they came to study, they cannot study all the time. By planning and conceiving a variety of leisure activities, we provide students with opportunities to view nature and meet people, contributing to a lively student life.
- Relaxation. Although it seems there are many places to visit, realistically, there are few places for students to go. Through relaxation, students can find a place to rest during study breaks, and we try to offer places where students can converse and gain information.
- Gospel. Effortlessly, carefully, sometimes bravely, we preach God's words. We find those who have received eternal life, and we put all our strength into producing influential Christians who succeed internationally.
Services
Every Sunday at 12 midday.Every Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Monday to Friday Morning Prayer at 5:30am.
Minister
Rev. Kee Sung Park (Philip Park).Contact: 03 464 0123 (Home) or 021 045 5181 (Mobile)
