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Our True Citizenship: The Kim Family
Stephen Kim and Sunhee (Sunny) Jeong
In 1989, at the height of the Tiananmen Square protest, a young Korean university-student watched from his television screen Chinese students protesting for greater freedom for which they are prepared to commit their lives to. Known to many as the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre, countries around the world condemned the incident and urged the CCP to take serious restitution. While countries proposed political and economic reforms to quell civil disorder in China, the young-then Stephen Kim thought that what the Chinese needed the most was Jesus Christ’s message of salvation.
Stephen Kim and his wife Sunny Jeong have been pilgrims all throughout their lives. Both born and raised in South Korea, the Kim couple always knew that their real home is wherever God placed them. Their mission, to spread the Lord’s message to the Chinese people.
Leaving behind their comfortable lives in Korea, they ventured to the unfamiliar with nothing but their desire to change the hearts of the people they see the need for God’s undying love and grace.
“When I was a university student in Korea, I knew a lot of Chinese do not enjoy the same freedoms I had and what happened in Tiananmen Square really burdened me. And so, I joined Campus Crusade for Christ, trained there and eventually moved to China with my wife to become a pastor.” - Stephen
The Kim couple recalls how adjusting to life in China stretched their faith. Back then, the country was not that open to foreigners and special laws were in place to easily identify expats. For instance, some thought they were Chinese because of how they look, the locals however knew they were foreigners because they had to purchase their rice using special coupons.
“And the interesting thing is that I have 3 children, and most Chinese families would only have 1. So, they just knew I’m Korean because of my 3 children!”
- Sunny
With their three kids: Hajun, HaYun, and Halim
Eventually, the situation for foreigners in China improved which allowed greater mobility for the couple to continue their ministry. Since the Kims speak fluent and excellent Mandarin, they were effective in spreading the gospel around different campuses in China where disciple-making is paramount. They were also proactive in training future church leaders. Mr. Kim ensured that there was proper leadership transition in every church he helped built. After spending almost 20 years in China as a pastor and missionary, Mr. Kim confided with the Lord on his next leap of faith. God impressed upon him to reach out to the large and growing Chinese community in the Philippines. Heeding the Lord’s call, the Kims left the now familiar country to venture to another unknown.
“I just opened my heart and myself to God wherever He wants me to serve, in Korea or a foreign country. I never think “I want the country or I want to go there”, I never think like that. I prayed to God to let me know how I can be of used for His kingdom. The Lord has decided the country and I will just obey His command.” - Stephen
For Mrs. Kim, adjusting to Philippine life has been more challenging compared to the time they were starting in China. Everything was different: the weather, the language and culture but the Filipinos’ welcoming and hospitable nature has definitely eased her settling in the country which the Kim family has called their home for almost 9 years now.
“I feel so free in the Philippines. I can feel the freedom Christians have here. I’m really thankful to be here!” - Sunny
Like the Kim's family story of pilgrimage, millions of Filipinos leave their country to work in a foreign land for better pay and better opportunities for the family they have left behind. We call them OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) and there are more than 2 million of them scattered around the world. Many are aware of their significant contribution towards the growth of the Philippine economy but for Mr. Kim, OFWs are more than economic heroes, they are the perfect messengers of God’s message to the world.
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“Another mission God has entrusted me is to help mobilize and equip OFWs to share the gospel to the world. They are not only going there for the money but they have this greater purpose to share the word of God in the communities they are placed in.” - Sunny
After living in 3 different countries, conflicting identities within the Kim family are bound to happen. Even if they are South Koreans by blood, it is confusing for the family to place where their true loyalties lie. Is it in Korea? China? Or the Philippines? Here’s what Mr. Kim has to say about that:
“We grew up in Korea but we don’t really feel like Koreans. We lived in China but we don’t really feel like Chinese. We live now in the Philippines and my children have a lot of Filipino friends, but we are not Filipinos. We do not really belong in any group except that we are children of God. We love Korea because we are Koreans and we love the Philippines because it has been our home but our true citizenship is in heaven.”