English church in Seoul
A heart for Seoul
ARK is an international church of global nomads, Korean diaspora, and Korean natives who find themselves in Korea on their journey Home.
The city
Many nations, one crossroad.
Seoul is a sprawling metropolis that is the growing center of global commerce and popular culture. It's a densely populated urban city with many nations converging at the crossroad of Seoul.
Although COVID slowed down immigration to Korea, immigration has been a net positive for 40 years, from 1980 to 2020.
Compared to 2019, the positive net migration of Koreans increased by 222 thousand persons owing to the rise in incoming migration of Koreans (461.5%) and the drop in outgoing migration of Koreans (−31.9%).Korea Statistics, 2020 · kostat.go.kr
Interestingly, during COVID the diaspora, Koreans who lived abroad, have returned and have re-settled.
Why we are here
A generation slipping away
from the church.
of our children will lose their faith in College.
in their 30s, and 78% among 19–29, consider themselves non-religious.
Youth account for only 3 to 7% of all church members, becoming what is practically a lost generation.
Our hope
Home for the Third Culture,
the Wanderer, Sojourner.
We see a unique opportunity for the Gospel in our generation. To reach an increasingly unchurched digital and global generation, our hope and vision is to see a church who sees, loves, equips and sends from the intersection of Seoul.
We believe that transience is a gift from God, to form our longing for an earthly home into a greater longing for our eternal one. There is a beautiful opportunity to go deeper in Christ and in community on our pilgrimage, living in the daily tension of being away from home.
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord of Armies. I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God.
Even a sparrow finds a home, and a swallow, a nest for herself where she places her young, near your altars, Lord of Armies, my King and my God. How happy are those who reside in your house, who praise you continually.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a source of spring water; even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings. They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion.
Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. Happy is the person who trusts in you, Lord of Armies!
This Sunday
Come and see for yourself.
Sundays at 1:30pm, Level 3 Gloria Hall, right in front of Dongguk University Station Exit 3. Tell us you're coming and we'll look out for you at the door.