History of
KPCA Denomination
& English Presbytery
KPCA Denomination
With the first immigration to the USA in 1902, and since the enactment of Immigration Act of 1965, many Koreans who left their own country have been living hard lives as immigrants. With churches as their focal point of gathering, they have formed Korean American communities. The flow of Korean immigration continued not only to North America, but also to Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania and South East Asia. By adding the number of Koreans who already left Korea for China, Japan and Central Asia during the Japanese colonial era, about 7.5 million Koreans are living abroad. In 1976, handful of churches in LA, New York and Chicago got together and formed the Korean Presbyterian Church in America. It then expanded its membership to Canada, Central America, South America, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Europe. As a result, the name has been changed to the Korean Presbyterian Church Abroad in 2009, and became a denomination that serves 7.5 million Koreans living in over 180 countries.
Our denomination, mainly formed by Korean Diasporas all over the world, is an evangelical church whose core foundation is based on the Westminster Confession of Faith and [sic] Shorter Catechism. In order to fulfill the Great Commission from Christ to “preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth”, we maintain a wide theological stance which enables cooperation with churches that confess Christ as the Lord regardless of the sect and denomination within the body of faith. Furthermore, we will fulfill the action points stated on “Vision’s Declaration” and as children of God; we will responsibly promote the humanity’s peace and service as our mission.
(From the Preamble of the latest 2016 Amended KPCA Constitution Book, pages 8-9)
KPCA English Presbytery
The beginnings of the English Presbytery of KPCA started with a few English-speaking pastors who were already part of various presbyteries in the denomination. These individuals spoke of the need for change out of common struggles and challenges they, as well as other English-speaking pastors, shared in ministry and being part of the KPCA denomination. Some of these struggles were: discouragement & isolation in ministry, fellow ministers leaving the denomination and altogether their ministry calling, lack of denomination resources in English, lack of a voice in the General Assembly, as well as other needs. This led to an idea of an English speaking Presbytery, not anchored by a geographic area, but by language. Several pastors then reflected, strategized, and planned for many months leading up to the 36th KPCA General Assembly. These individuals communicated, advocated, and lobbied for the establishment of the Presbytery.
On the floor of the 36th KPCA General Assembly, the petition for the creation of the English Presbytery was approved with a large majority of the delegates.
The English Presbytery became the 19th Presbytery in the denomination. The first inaugural worship and presbytery meeting took place on October 7th, 2010.
The moderator of the 36th General Assembly of KPCA was Reverend Hae Jin Jung who gave the English Presbytery its charge, by-law, and blessing as a new presbytery of KPCA.
On the floor of the 36th KPCA General Assembly, the petition for the creation of the English Presbytery was approved with a large majority of the delegates. The English Presbytery became the 19th Presbytery in the denomination. The first inaugural worship and presbytery meeting took place on October 7th, 2010. The moderator of the 36th General Assembly of KPCA was Reverend Hae Jin Jung who gave the English Presbytery its charge, by-law, and blessing as a new presbytery of KPCA
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