wfn.org | Asians Hear Syngman Rhee

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17-June-1998 
GA98073 
 
                     Asians Hear Syngman Rhee 
 
by Midge Mack                     
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--More than 70 members of  the Presbyterian Asian Council 
gathered for dinner Tuesday. The council represents 10 Asian countries in 
which there is Presbyterian ministry and mission. 
     As dinner finished, National Ministries Division (NMD) Director Curtis 
Kearns, read a recent communication from Taiwan, announcing  that Shun Chi 
Wang, Associate for Asian Congregational Enhancement in the National 
Ministries Division, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree 
from Tainan Theological Seminary in Taiwan. 
     Syngman Rhee, Associate Director of Worldwide Ministries Division, 
reminded the group that when he came to the church's national offices 26 
years ago, no Asians were on any national boards.  Because he was an Asian 
serving in a campus ministry,  he was requested to apply for the position 
of area director for Asian Ministry. He got the position --- of area 
Director for the Middle East.  
     "Yet how far we have come," he quipped, naming off a long list of 
Asians now associated with the national church,  beginning with  Evelyn 
Hwang, a staffer since 1961. Rhee called her "the mother of Presbyterian 
Asian staff."  
     He also cited the Asian principle of Yin Yang, one without the other 
being incomplete,  as the concept behind the council in which each Asian 
ministry finds strength in the others.  "We can meet individually, as 
ethnic Americans," he said, "but when we are united, we can bring the gifts 
this church needs."  

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