Hundreds of Korean Students Commit to International Mission Service

Taejon, Korea. “Fulfilling God’s Mission” was the theme of a student-led mission emphasis week September 18-20 at the Korea Baptist Theological Seminary in Taejon, Korea. Dr. Jerry Rankin, President of the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, was the keynote speaker in four sessions that focused on God’s Purpose, God’s Providence, God’s Power, and God’s Passion.

In the final session, Dr. Rankin preached on those “of whom the world is not worthy,” noting that since 2002, eight IMB missionaries have been martyred in service to our Lord. Those present estimated that 200-300 students made commitments to international mission service, while an even greater number acknowledged that, though they may not sense God’s specific call to missions, they are willing and available to go wherever He may lead.

Students extended a blessing to the professors and faculty who attended the final session, while the professors and faculty prayed for the students and specifically for those committing to international service.

“We sensed such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, particularly in the final session,” Dr. Rankin said. “I was personally touched by the numbers of students who were making commitments to mission service and by those who simply said, ‘I am willing to go.’ We look forward with great anticipation to the many ways that God will use the willingness of these young people to accomplish His task around the world.”

Dr. Rankin also visited the Global Mission Center located on the seminary campus and met with small groups of students to answer questions about the future of worldwide mission efforts. Rankin noted, “I was quite impressed by the depth of their questions and the level of their commitment to go to difficult areas to proclaim the gospel of Christ.”

During his trip to Korea, Dr. Rankin launched the Korean translation of his latest book, “To the Ends of the Earth.” Copies of the book are available in the U.S. from the IMB or in Korea from the IMB’s Pacific Rim Office in Seoul.