Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church and chairman of Church Growth International / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

"The Church Growth International (CGI) Conference is poised to be one of the largest post-pandemic Christian events, with opportunities for attendees to share knowledge and exchange strategies for church growth, aiming to address social conflicts and promote a more service-oriented approach to Christianity," said Rev. Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church.

The 30th CGI Conference is set to take place in Seoul from Oct. 23 to 26, with an expected attendance of about 12,000 believers from 79 countries worldwide.

CGI, created in 1976 by Rev. Cho Yong-gi, founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, was established to network megachurches worldwide and promote church growth. Key members representing various countries have been meeting annually in cities in Korea and abroad, alternating every year, to share their church management expertise and learn from Yoido Full Gospel Church's successful model.

"This year's CGI Conference is the 30th conference and the largest event since the COVID-19 pandemic," Rev. Lee, who also serves as a chairman of CGI, said. "We aim to not only foster spiritual growth among participants but also address pressing global issues and chart a course for the future of the church."

The CGI chairman highlighted the rapid growth of Pentecostalism worldwide, noting that it has become a significant force in Christianity across the world.

Rev. Lee shared his observations from recent trips to Africa, particularly Ghana, where he witnessed the growth of the Pentecostal movement firsthand. This global expansion of Christianity will be a major focus during the conference, as leaders discuss how to further drive the church's growth and address social challenges.

However, Rev. Lee also acknowledged the challenges faced by churches, including declining attendance in some regions and the increasing secularization of society.

"The church must play a more active role in addressing social issues," he emphasized. "We need to be more engaged in serving the marginalized and promoting peace and reconciliation."

To that end, the CGI chairman said that churches gathered at the conference will focus on its role in promoting global peace and reconciliation, discussing ways in which churches can address social issues such as poverty, inequality and human rights, as well as growing churches and revitalizing existing congregations.

Addressing global concerns, Rev. Lee mentioned that the conference would include a prayer for peace on the last day where church leaders will gather at the Yonsei University Amphitheater in Seoul for a large prayer assembly.

Rev. Lee detailed plans for the peace prayer, which will address issues related to inter-Korean relations and convey messages to North Korea, Israel and Russia. The prayer will be livestreamed globally in both English and Korean.

"The wars in Israel and Ukraine are the greatest concerns for people worldwide, and with reports of large-scale North Korean troops being dispatched to Russia, and Israel expanding its offensive in the Middle East, we want to strongly convey the message that wars must stop at this time," Rev. Lee said.

Role of church in Korean society

South Korea will mark the 140th anniversary of the introduction of Christianity to the nation next year, but the role of the church in Korean society is under scrutiny.

Rev. Lee acknowledged that the influence of Christianity in Korea, once a powerful force across political, social and medical spheres, has weakened.

"Today, Christianity is facing criticism in Korea, and this conference is a chance for the church to reflect and reorient itself toward healing social divisions," Rev. Lee said.

The plummeting birthrate in this country is one of the pressing issues in Korean society, he pointed out.

"We started this initiative of encouraging families to have at least three children when the birthrate hit 1.2 (percent), but despite our efforts, the rate continues to fall. The church must get involved in practical solutions to this issue," Rev. Lee said.

Commitment to serving the vulnerable

Rev. Lee emphasized that the true growth of the church lies not in numbers, but in serving society's most vulnerable. He reflected on the early church's model of mission and charity, noting that these principles must be the foundation of modern church growth.

"Today, the church must focus on healing the wounds of the marginalized and serving those who are left behind by society."

Rev. Lee has personally witnessed the struggles of many Koreans living in poverty, particularly older adults and single mothers.

He shared stories of people living in illegal housing and collecting wastepaper for a living, earning as little as 100,000 won per month ($73). Additionally, he raised concerns over the 4,000 children who were placed in orphanages each year due to divorce and broken families, a growing problem that the church must address.

"The church has to actively seek out these individuals and provide support," he stressed.

At the CGI Conference, Rev. Lee's words will be reflected in the vision of participating churches, encouraging them to be more socially engaged and become service-oriented Christians. The event promises to be a significant gathering for church leaders worldwide, potentially shaping the future direction of Christian ministry and outreach.

"We believe that this event, held here in Korea, can have a profound impact on the global church and help us realize our vision for a peaceful and just world," the CGI chairman said.