Overview
Speaker shares recent travels, ministry engagements in Korea and the U.S., testimonies of provision, and a sermon on Romans 13 emphasizing Christian civic responsibility and loving neighbors through public engagement.
Travel and Events Highlights
- Attended Believers Summit in West Palm Beach; President spoke; large attendance.
- Traveled to South Korea for Buildup Korea promotion; multiple church speaking engagements.
- Spoke at Full Gospel Church in Seoul to a college group; message on Christians in politics.
- Visited Busan; addressed 5,000 conservative youth; taught Ten Commandments with a memory method.
- Returned to the U.S.; participated in Promise Keepers event at Oral Roberts University.
Buildup Korea Story and Impact
- Buildup Korea founded by Mina Kim to counter biased media by translating conservative content.
- Mina’s background: only child; cares for family; father is a quadriplegic; family deeply faithful.
- Buildup Korea model: translate conservative news and speakers; significant YouTube following.
- Speaker and spouse experienced high public interest; traveled with a security detail and van.
Notable Encounters and Relationships
- Chairman of Samsung (“YJ”), a Christian in a Buddhist family, supported Buildup Korea.
- YJ attributed life change to prayer; later donated $80,000 unexpectedly, matching a specific need.
- Promise Keepers: connected with Governor Kevin Stitt and Senator James Lankford; fruitful policy conversations.
- Arranged potential Korea visit for Senator Lankford; presented as a birthday gift to Mina.
- Met apologist Cliff Knechtle; recounted 1986 Fresno State impact; multigenerational influence noted.
- Connected with worship leader Roman Collins; invited him to future event.
Observations on South Korea
- Low crime; strong social trust; examples include untouched lost phone and unlocked bicycles.
- Cultural politeness; safety even late at night; minimal visible theft.
- YJ’s baseball team “Landers” named to honor U.S. troops who landed to save Korea.
Teaching Focus: Romans 13 and Civic Duty
- Romans 13:1–7 affirms authority from God; rulers must not be a terror to good works.
- Argument: submission is not unlimited; Christians should resist tyranny and evil.
- Application: protect children from harmful policies; oppose arbitrary designations of “essential.”
- Continued Romans 13:8–14: love fulfills the law; calls to awaken from self-indulgence and act.
Moral Law, Civil Law, and Society
- Ten Commandments form the moral basis of civil law; five toward God, five toward neighbor.
- Removing moral law leads to arbitrary rule and potential oppression.
- Claim: Every law reflects someone’s morality; debate centers on which standard prevails.
- Christian societal influence in Korea linked to cultural adherence to moral precepts.
Korea vs. Vietnam Comparison
- Key dates and outcomes:
- 1910–1945: Korea under Japanese empire; severe oppression.
- Aug 15, 1945: Korean independence after Japan’s defeat.
- Korean War: 36,224 U.S. deaths; 38th parallel established; North held resources, South prospered.
- Korean Miracle attributed to moral framework, property rights, work ethic, and Christian influence.
- Vietnam War: greater U.S. casualties and materiel, but communist outcome; limited Christian moral foundation asserted as differentiator.
American Founding and Resistance to Tyranny
- Founders listed detailed grievances grounded in violations of God’s commandments.
- Jonathan Mayhew’s influence:
- Preached natural rights, constitutionalism, resistance to tyranny (1747–1766).
- Quoted: as soon as a prince sets himself above the law, he “un-kings” himself.
- Credited with “Disobedience to tyrants is obedience to God.”
- Romans 13 interpreted as opposing rulers who terrorize good works.
Church Engagement and Movement Growth
- TPUSA Faith growth: approximately 3,500 partner churches; biblical citizenship classes.
- Courage Conference in Pennsylvania mobilizes churches in a battleground state.
- Indiana example: Pastor Micah Beckwith won lieutenant governor nomination through party delegates.
- California example: Senator Shannon Grove’s anti-child trafficking bill passed; 11 arrests reported.
- Local engagement: school board runs encouraged; obedience framed as victory regardless of outcome.
Love of Neighbor as Central Command
- Jesus’ summary: love God and love neighbor; encapsulates law and prophets.
- Practical application: protect children’s wellbeing; oppose harmful education and medical practices.
- Call to reject self-indulgence; embrace service, courage, and public advocacy.
Theological Exhortations
- Christians must not take the Lord’s name in vain by inaction in public life.
- Pray for the peace of the city; politics defined as “affairs of the city.”
- Expect cost and conflict; pursue truth in love; avoid demeaning opponents while opposing harmful ideologies.
- Encouragement to trust God’s timing and provision; testimonies of answered prayer.
Action Items
- Pray for Buildup Korea, TPUSA Faith, and engaged candidates.
- Encourage and support local candidates, especially for school boards.
- Teach and reinforce the Ten Commandments in churches and youth groups.
- Organize or attend biblical citizenship and courage conferences.
- Engage school curricula oversight; advocate to protect children in the community.
- Build relationships with public officials; invite them to faith-based events.
Decisions
- Speaker accepted role as chairman of the board for Buildup Korea.
- Initiated connection to bring Senator James Lankford to Korea for Buildup Korea.