wfn.org | Concerts Link Korea and Africa University

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
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Note 415 by UMNS on Oct. 28, 1997 at 16:40 Eastern (4137 characters).

CONTACT: Linda Green			 603(10-31-33-71B){415}
	    Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	Oct. 28, 1997

EDITORS: Photos available

‘Soul to Seoul’ concert tour strengthens 
Korean ties to Africa University 

A UMNS Feature
by Andra Stevens*

	Greater awareness and stronger ties between the continent of Africa, Africa
University and the Korean Methodist Church are being credited to the music
ministry of soprano and United Methodist minister of music, Cynthia
Wilson-Felder.
	Wilson-Felder made goodwill visits this past summer to churches in Korea and
the visits were dubbed the "soul to Seoul" tour by Korean Methodists who had
opportunity to experience one of five concerts. Many expressed the
overwhelming power of the Holy Spirit during the concert performances.
	"We were welcomed with outstretched arms. People were intrigued by our
presence and worked very hard to make us feel at home," said Wilson-Felder,
music minister at Atlanta’s Ben Hill United Methodist Church and a member of
the Africa University Development Committee. "I found the church alive and
well in Korea," she said.
	Audiences of up to 6,000 people packed the Kwang Lim, Kum Rang, and Emmanuel
Methodist churches in Seoul; the Chunchon Seogsa Methodist Church in Chunchon;
and the Soong Gui Methodist Church in Inchon, Korea, for the concerts.
	"I felt like a bridge," Wilson-Felder said. "Our African ancestors say the
spirit won’t descend without a song. I felt the music was mending hurt,
dispelling myths and proving that the walls that divide us disappear when we
worship together in spirit and in truth."
	The concert tour was sponsored by the Africa University Development Office.
James Salley, the university’s vice chancellor for development, accompanied
Wilson-Felder.
	Coordinated by United Methodist Bishop and Mrs. Hae-Jong Kim of the New York
West Area, the tour was seen as an opportunity to cultivate Korean friends and
supporters of Africa University.
	Bishop Kim, also a member of the Africa University Development Committee,
said, "Providing higher education opportunities in Africa is one of the most
important things to happen in terms of United Methodist mission in this 
century."
	"We were hoping that this trip –- and especially with the music of Cynthia
Wilson-Felder -— would promote Africa University and bring greater
consciousness of it among Korean Methodists. There are many very large
churches where people don’t know about the university," he said.
	Africa University already has a strong relationship with the Kwang Lim
Methodist Church and Bishop and Mrs. Sundo Kim of Seoul. In 1994, he traveled
to Zimbabwe for the official opening of Africa University bringing with him a
pledge of $1 million dollars to build a chapel on campus.
	The gift of the Kwang Lim congregation enabled construction of the university
chapel to begin this year. The Kims and 30 members of the Kwang Lim
congregation will be on Africa University’s campus in December for the chapel
s dedication, the graduation ceremony and the centennial celebration of the
United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
	That the Africa University story resonates with Korean Methodists is no
surprise, according to Bishop Hae-Jong Kim. Korea’s oldest and one of its
largest universities, Ewha University in Seoul, was founded by the Methodist
Church. Africa University’s story of providing higher education opportunities;
training leaders for church and society; and empowering people to improve
lives in their communities connects with Koreans because the Methodist Church
enabled and empowered them in the same way," said Kim.
	"The Korean Methodist Church is very mission oriented, and Koreans place a
high value on education," he said. "Korean Methodists are involved with and
support mission work overseas because they are committed to helping others as
they were helped."
#  #  #

	* Stevens is director of information for Africa University. This article is
reprinted from the Africa University Journal, quarterly publication of the
Office of Interpretation, United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry.

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