For about 50 North Korean refugees, Bitnara (which means sunshine) Church is a spiritual home.
Rev. Jong Lee, a Christian Reformed pastor, has recently joined this nine-year-old ministry started by Rev. Jung Moon, a Nazarene minister.
Every Sunday morning, approximately 20 people, more than half of whom are defectors with their children, worship together. On Sunday afternoons they take to the streets with sandwiches for people in local parks who are homeless.
There are currently about 300 North Korean refugees in the U.S. and more than 300,000 worldwide.
The Los Angeles Christian Ethics Movement and California International University work together in this ministry along with Korean-American humanitarian and education organizations. Other Christian Reformed pastors also support these defectors’ new lives in the Lord with Bible teachings as well as weekly social and training gatherings.
About the Author
Jonathan Kim is a CRC pastor of Ye-Eun Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California. He writes news for The Banner and lives in North Hills, California.