May 2007 Pacific Rim Prayer Emphasis:
Blue-collar Workers of Jeju-do, South Korea

“Let them give glory to the LORD, And declare His praise in the coastlands.” Isaiah 42:12, NAS.

The 500,000 native blue-collar workers of Jeju-do are ethnically Korean. However, little similarity exists between the Jeju islanders and their cousins on the Korean peninsula. In fact, the Jeju people have their own distinctive cosmology (understanding of the spirit world), folk religion, social culture, and linguistic dialect that mainland Koreans find largely incomprehensible. Like many other island people groups, the Jeju native farmers, fishermen and especially the haenyo women divers would prefer to just be left alone. Unfortunately, the central government in Seoul is seen by locals as a threat to the natural beauty and peaceful tranquility of the island because of their massive efforts to Westernize Jeju as an English speaking free-trade zone and Asian tourism mecca.

Spiritually, Jeju remains a resistant stronghold. Native Shamanism mixed with cultural Buddhism holds at least 98% of the native population in utter darkness. The Christian presence on the island consists primarily of mainland Koreans that moved to Jeju in search of economic opportunities. Churches are usually pastored by “outsiders” and the natives consider Christianity as another attempt to Westernize their culture. The Jeju natives believe that Christians are an evil and intolerant people. The exclusive call of Jesus Christ is seen as a complete betrayal of what it means to be a native of Jeju-do.

Recently, God has brought a couple Jeju natives that had left home to study as youth back to their homeland with a vision for reaching their families and friends. These two men, both with the family name of Kim, came to personal faith in Jesus Christ while at university on the mainland. Growing in their faith and knowledge, the Lord has called them to be native evangelists and partner with IMB workers to facilitate a church planting movement among the blue-collar workers of Jeju-do.

Pray that:

The Holy Spirit will strengthen believers for the spiritual battles waged daily in the midst of many strongholds.

The Father will provide adequate training for new disciples.

The love of Jesus will be shared with every native islander in a way that removes their fear of losing either personal or cultural identity.

Believers on the island will have a burden and compassion to share the Gospel.

God will call a multitude of Jeju native blue-collar workers into His Kingdom.

Rapidly reproducing churches will be started before the end of 2007.

Thousands of intercessors will adopt the Jeju Koreans and plead for their salvation.

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