Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! (Psalm 133:1)

Ordination in Korea

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On December 19, 2021, the last Sunday of Advent, David Choi was ordained and installed at Seoul Lutheran Church. The sermon theme was based on 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, “The Lord sends messengers to prepare his people for Jesus’ second coming,” and was preached by the ELS Board for World Outreach Administrator Thomas Heyn. The rite of ordination was conducted jointly in English and Korean by Pastor Heyn and Pastor Samuel Choi.

David Choi, born and raised in China, was first brought into contact with the Lutheran Church when he visited his aunt in Seoul, South Korea. She introduced him to Seoul Lutheran Church where Pastor Young Ha Kim instructed and confirmed him. Later, he studied pre-seminary classes under Dr. Samuel Choi, director of Seoul Lutheran Theological Institute. 

When he was being pressured to abandon plans to become a Christian pastor, the ELS Board for World Outreach decided to bring David to the United States to complete his theological training at Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mankato, Minnesota. After four years of study and a vicar year at Reformation Lutheran Church in San Diego, California, David received his M.Div. and received a joint assignment to serve Seoul Lutheran Church and serve as missionary under the ELS BWO. 

His work will include helping Pastors Samuel Choi and J.W. Kim strengthen the existing congregations in east Seoul and Anyang, as well as beginning new outreach to Chinese-Koreans in Seoul. We pray that the Lord bless his work in extending his kingdom in Korea, and perhaps in other parts of East Asia.

Pictured, left to right: Thomas Heyn, David Choi, Samuel Choi

Submitted by Thomas Heyn

 

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The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies, committed to the teachings of the Lutheran Church found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Established in 1993 with thirteen churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include thirty-four church bodies today.

Every three years, representatives from CELC churches gather for fellowship and theological study at an international convention. Regional meetings are held in alternate years. These gatherings provide spiritual encouragement for confessional Lutherans who often find themselves quite isolated. Visitors are always welcome at these gatherings

Joint work of the CELC includes the writing of The Eternal Word: A Lutheran Confession for the Twenty-First Century, which testifies to the unity of doctrine enjoyed by CELC churches. The CELC also has a commission to help coordinate and improve theological training in CELC churches.

Speaking about the heart and core of the CELC, former President Gaylin Schmeling wrote:  “The CELC stands ready to give answer to the confident hope of salvation in Christ that is within us. It is a refuge for those seeking confessional homes and a beacon shining the light of the Gospel in a sin-darkened world. Here the central truth of the Reformation, justification by faith alone, continues to be proclaimed. We are declared righteous by nothing we do or accomplish, but alone on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work which is counted as ours through faith in the Savior. He accomplished salvation for all on the cross and announced it to all by His resurrection, declaring the whole world righteous in Christ. This treasure is brought to us personally through the means of grace and is received by faith alone in the Savior which is worked through those very means of grace.”

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