Kyung-Chik Han
Encyclopedia
Kyung-Chik Han was a Korean pastor
and church planter and the recipient of the 1992 Templeton Prize
for Progress in Religion.
, Han graduated from Soongsil University
(B. S.
1925), the College of Emporia
(B. A. 1926), and Princeton Theological Seminary
(B. D.
1929). Ordained in 1933 by the Presbyterian Church of Korea
, Han later founded Young Nak Presbyterian Church
in 1945, which he pastored until 1973 and served as a Pastor Emeritus
until his passing. At the time that he received the Templeton Prize
, membership of Young Nak Presbyterian Church
had grown to 60,000 and the church had fostered about 500 sister churches worldwide.
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and church planter and the recipient of the 1992 Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
for Progress in Religion.
Biography
Born in Kan-ri, KoreaKorea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, Han graduated from Soongsil University
Soongsil University
Soongsil University is a private Christian university in South Korea. The campus is located in 511 Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul.- History :...
(B. S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
1925), the College of Emporia
College of Emporia
The College of Emporia was established in 1882 in Emporia, Kansas, and was associated with the Presbyterian church. The college officially closed in 1974. The college campus was purchased by The Way International for $694,000 and was operated as the Way College of Emporia from 1975 until 1989...
(B. A. 1926), and Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
(B. D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
1929). Ordained in 1933 by the Presbyterian Church of Korea
Presbyterian Church of Korea
The Presbyterian Church of Korea or PCK is a mainline Protestant denomination based in South Korea and currently has the second largest membership of any Presbyterian denomination in the world...
, Han later founded Young Nak Presbyterian Church
Young Nak Presbyterian Church
Young Nak Presbyterian Church was founded in Seoul on December 2, 1945 by 1992 Templeton Prize recipient, Kyung-Chik Han. Inaugurated by twenty-seven refugees from Soviet occupied Korea, Young Nak steadily increased in membership as more refugees sought religious freedom below the 38th...
in 1945, which he pastored until 1973 and served as a Pastor Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
until his passing. At the time that he received the Templeton Prize
Templeton Prize
The Templeton Prize is an annual award presented by the Templeton Foundation. Established in 1972, it is awarded to a living person who, in the estimation of the judges, "has made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical...
, membership of Young Nak Presbyterian Church
Young Nak Presbyterian Church
Young Nak Presbyterian Church was founded in Seoul on December 2, 1945 by 1992 Templeton Prize recipient, Kyung-Chik Han. Inaugurated by twenty-seven refugees from Soviet occupied Korea, Young Nak steadily increased in membership as more refugees sought religious freedom below the 38th...
had grown to 60,000 and the church had fostered about 500 sister churches worldwide.