Korean Churches gift $37,000 for Christchurch earthquake victims

2 October 2010

Visitors from Korea have gifted $37,000 to the Presbyterian Church for Christchurch earthquake relief.

The Rev Tae-jin Bae, General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK), who is in Christchurch as a guest at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, yesterday brought a US$5000 donation from his Church, and the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) gifted $30,000.

The gifts will be presented to the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand on Sunday during its General Assembly (currently being held in Christchurch) and the Church will ensure the money is distributed to those suffering from the effects of the quake.

On Sunday 3 October the offering taken up during General Assembly’s service of worship will go to the Canterbury Earthquake Appeal (Mayoral Relief Fund).

The new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Right Rev Peter Cheyne, says that the Presbyterian Church is "grateful for this very generous gift from the Korean churches; it will make a real difference".

The Rev Tae-jin Bae of the PROK says that he saw the damage caused by the Christchurch earthquake on our national news and "we were understandably concerned for the people of the city. Our Church decided quickly that I should bring this gift to help".

Christchurch has a strong Korean community. The Christchurch Korean Presbyterian Church is the biggest Korean community in Christchurch; with more than 700 members it is experiencing strong growth. Much of the congregation emigrated to Christchurch from Korea for work or for study. The church recently bought and renovated a warehouse adjacent to its Packe St worship centre. Members of the Christchurch Korean Church will give a musical performance at the Presbyterian Church’s General Assembly in Christchurch at 8.30pm on Saturday 2 October.