Mission and Aid · October 16, 2026
Also published in Português (Brasil)
KWMA, KWMC, KWMF Join Forces for Partner Mission
Three major organizations representing Korean mission have come together to shift towards a 'local-centered partner mission.' The Korean World Mission Association (KWMA), the Christian Korean World Mission Association (KWMC), and the Korean World Mission Forum (KWMF) held a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on October 13 at the KWMA headquarters in Noryangjin, Seoul. They agreed to collaborate closely to build a healthy mission ecosystem and establish a sustainable mission model.
In his keynote speech, KWMA Secretary General emphasized the necessity of introducing partner missions. He explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 45% of Korean missionaries had to remain in the country, but the churches and ministries in the mission fields continued to operate. This experience led to a profound realization that missionaries are ultimately 'outsiders' who must leave, while the continuity of ministry is ensured by 'insiders' from that country.
He also stated that the traditional Western mission model, which relied on material resources and projects, has reached its limits. He noted that world missions have entered an era of 'multi-centered mission' where every place is connected to every other place. He stressed that missionaries should act as 'midwives' who help locals thrive rather than being the ones who give birth themselves, shifting the paradigm to partner missions that build God's kingdom and support local churches to become self-sufficient.
The main content of the MOU outlines the commitment of the three organizations to transition and implement partner missions for healthy Korean church missions. KWMA will research and identify best practices for local-centered partner missions, while KWMC will actively promote this movement with Korean churches and mission organizations in the U.S. KWMF will work closely with the local churches in the mission fields through its national leadership.
The organizations have also agreed to shift their operational direction, moving away from project-based financial support and encouraging missionaries to focus on relationships with local churches instead of relying on material resources.
KWMF co-chair expressed the commitment of the three organizations to work hard for the salvation of souls and the expansion of God's kingdom through partner missions, expecting to see remarkable results.