Honouring shared mission
Earlier this month, the Korean World Mission Fellowship (KWMF) held a ceremony to recognise descendants of Australian missionaries who lived martyr-like lives for the evangelisation of Korea
March 18, 2026
Representatives of the Uniting Church in Australia (UCA), including Assembly Associate General Secretary Rev Lindsay Cullen and Rev Seung Jae Yeon of the Korean National Conference and one of the President’s Chaplains, recently attended a gathering of the Korean World Missionary Fellowship (KWMF) in Sydney on behalf of President Rev Charissa Suli, who was overseas.
Founded in 1977, KWMF is a global ecumenical network representing around 28,000 Korean missionaries. Its membership includes partners of the UCA such as the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), and the Korean Methodist Church (KMC). A 40-member KWMF delegation visited Sydney from 3–6 March for its annual executive retreat, with a special event held on 4 March in Surry Hills, hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Australia (NSW).
The event honoured the significant contribution of Australian missionaries to the growth of Christianity in Korea. Former missionaries, along with descendants and family members, were recognised and invited to share their stories. The organisers specifically thanked the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Uniting Church in Australia for their sending and support of missionaries in Korea and presented the two churches with special memorial plaques.
Responding on behalf of the UCA, Rev Cullen reflected on his experience as a “missionary kid”, speaking of the loving sacrifice and enduring legacy of missionaries and their families. He also expressed appreciation for the vibrant contribution of Korean and Korean-Australian members within the life of the UCA.
Rev Yeon echoed these sentiments, noting the presence of more than 80 Korean ministers serving across the UCA in Korean, intercultural and Anglo congregations. He also paid tribute to Australian missionaries whose work has had a lasting impact on Korean Christianity.
The commemorative plaque presented to the UCA is now on display at the Assembly’s Sydney office in the Charles Harris Room, alongside other significant ecumenical gifts and memorial items.
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