During the year-end holiday season, Korean churches and other religious institutions are bustling with activities as Korean Americans come together to reflect on the past year, renew their spiritual commitments, and prepare for the new year through prayer and faith.
Sa-Rang Community Church in Anaheim, led by Pastor Chang Soo Noh, held a special early morning revival service from December 2 to 14.
“Our congregation consists of approximately 4,500 members, and during the revival service, about 2,000 people attended daily,” said a church official.
“The enthusiasm for the special early morning prayer was so strong that cars lined up near the church starting at 4 a.m. Many Koreans use this time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the coming new year with faith and prayer,” said Eunju Jang, 42, of Fullerton.
Despite the festive atmosphere of Christmas and New Year’s, Korean Americans are devoting themselves to their faith.
LA Onnuri Church in LA Koreatown, led by Pastor Jeong Yeop Lee, is conducting a month-long program in December to read through the New Testament as a way to conclude the year.
The church’s youth ministry held a praise gathering on December 6, and on Christmas Eve, December 24, the next generation of congregants, ranging from toddlers to teenagers, will host the “Jesus Festival.”
Early morning prayer meetings will continue into the new year, with most churches holding special early morning services from January 6 to 11.
Churches such as Inland Church in Pomona (Pastor Hwan Ahn), New Life Vision Church in LA (Pastor Joon Min Kang), and Galilee Mission Church (Pastor Chun Young Han) have planned early morning prayer services during this period.
Meanwhile, Choong Hyun Mission Church (Pastor Yoon Kwon Kook) will hold a New Year revival from January 17 to 19, and Light of Love Mission Church in Pasadena (Pastor Dae Hyuk Yoon) will host a special early morning revival from December 30 to January 4.
Eun Young Jung, 52, of La Cañada, commented, “This is a unique aspect of the Korean American community that you won’t find in other ethnic groups. During the early morning prayers, different groups even prepare traditional dishes like rice cake soup, creating an atmosphere that feels like both a prayer gathering and a neighborhood celebration.”
This religious fervor underscores the significant role churches play in the Korean immigrant community, serving as a cornerstone of their lives.
In an interview with the Korea Daily, Pastor Chun Young Han of Galilee Mission Church said, “The Korean immigrant community has grown alongside the church.”
He explained, “In the early days of Korean immigration, many attended church not only for faith but also to connect with other immigrants. Faith has played a role in planting dreams within the community and offering hope during lonely and difficult times. That cultural tradition continues today.”
The new year holds particular significance for believers, as they set goals to strengthen their faith and refocus their hearts.
A representative from Duranno Bookstore in LA Koreatown noted, “In December, many customers come to purchase gratitude journals, devotional notebooks, and Bible transcription journals to prepare for the new year.”
The end-of-year church activities are not limited to prayer and revival services. Some churches also engage in volunteer efforts to extend warm support to their neighbors.
On December 12, Oriental Mission Church in Koreatown (Pastor Jihoon Kim) delivered prepackaged rice meals, known as “Odream Hetbahn,” to neighbors, seniors, and patients as part of their year-end community love project.
Meanwhile, Buddhist temples are also bustling. Dalma Sa Temple in LA Koreatown (Head Monk Jeong Beom) has organized year-end events, including a red bean porridge-sharing event on December 21 to commemorate the winter solstice.
On December 31, from evening until 12:30 a.m. on January 1, they will hold a New Year’s wish candle-lighting ceremony.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
