Gil Seon-ju

Gil Seon-ju converted to Christianity in 1897 after recognizing the dire state of Korea and claiming to have experienced a mysterious encounter with God during extended prayer.[1] He was one of the first graduates of the Presbyterian Seminary in Pyongyang in 1907 and became the pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church of Pyongyang.[2]

After graduating from seminary, Gil was involved in the Korean revival movement and would be one of the key figures of the Great Pyongyang revival of 1907. Bringing Korean folk religiosity into Christianity, Gil would also pioneer the spiritual practice of early morning prayers (Korean: 새벽기도; RR: saebyeok gido; MR: saebyŏk kido), today recognized as one of the key expressions of Korean Christian spirituality.[3][4]

Gil Seon-ju also had a strong sense of Korean nationalism. He was also involved with the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919, being one of the key signers of the Declaration of Independence, resulting in his imprisonment under the Japanese occupation.[5]

As senior pastor of Jangdaehyun church in Pyongyang where the 1907 revival began, Gil's involvement in the revival was multifaceted, encompassing preaching, organizing, and advocacy. As a gifted speaker, he was known for his ability to inspire audiences with his passionate and persuasive sermons. He was also deeply involved in organizing the revival's activities, helping to coordinate prayer meetings, Bible studies, and other events that brought together large crowds of believers.[6] On Sunday, January 6th, 1907, foreign and Korean Christians gathered at Jangdaehyun for an evening revival service during which the holy spirit was perceived to move throughout the congregation and a chain reaction of public repentance ensued, beginning with Gil Seong-ju. This fervor spread throughout Pyongyang and the surrounding area in the days to come. During this time, Korean Christians would devote a set period to evangelizing. At Jungdaehyun church, over 1800 Christians offered 22,159 days of evangelism. This culminated with the million souls for Christ campaign in 1909 during which 100,000 days were offered for evangelism. [7]

Location where the revival started. Jangdaehyun Church in Pyongyang

One of Gil's most significant contributions to the revival was his role in helping to establish the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in Korea. The YMCA played a significant role in the Korean independence movement by providing a space for Koreans to gather, organize, and exchange ideas. The organization promoted education, social reform, and Christian values, which resonated with many Koreans who were looking for ways to challenge Japanese colonial rule and assert their national identity. Through his work with the YMCA, Gil helped to create a network of Christian leaders who would play a key role in shaping the future of Korea.

Gil’s involvement in the revival helped to establish a strong and vibrant Christian community that has continued to thrive in the decades since. During his life, he delivered over 17,000 sermons witnessed by over 400,000 people. As Sebastian Kim notes, the revival "laid the foundations for the growth and dynamism of Korean Protestantism".[8] Through his leadership and activism, Gil Seon-ju played a pivotal role in shaping this legacy, leaving an indelible mark on Korean history and culture.

Gil was also an advocate for social reform and justice, using the revival as a platform to promote greater equality, justice, and opportunity for Koreans. This led him to become a prominent leader and organizer during the March 1st Movement, playing a key role in the planning and execution of the protests.[9] One of Gil Seon-ju's most important contributions was his work in organizing and mobilizing protesters in his home of Pyongyang. Here, Gil recruited and trained activists, providing them with political education and organizational skills. He worked to mobilize Koreans to participate in the protests, using his skills as a speaker and organizer to spread the message of the movement and advocate for nonviolent resistance and a peaceful transition to independence. Lee Ki-bark states, "The success of the movement depended heavily on the work of the student organizations, which were often guided by intellectuals and public figures like...Gil Seong-ju".[10]

Gil Seon-ju also played a key role in the drafting and signing of the March 1st Declaration, which outlined the movement's goals and demands. This Declaration was read aloud at protests across the country and helped to galvanize support for the movement. Gil continued his work by maintaining the momentum of the March 1st Movement after the initial protests had taken place. He helped to coordinate ongoing protests and resistance efforts and worked tirelessly to keep the movement alive in the face of repression by the Japanese colonial authorities. Gil was also involved in the establishment of the provisional government of Korea in Shanghai China on April 11th, 1919 following the March 1st Movement to provide a platform for the independence movement to organize and coordinate resistance against Japan.

Gil Seon-ju listed as a signer of the Korean Declaration of Independence on May 1st, 1919

In his later life, Gil was arrested and spent 2 ½ years in prison for his commitment to independence. While in prison, Gil is said to have read the book of Revelation hundreds of times. Upon his return to Jungdaehyun church, he began to preach fervently about the second coming of Christ. Due to his increasingly conservative faith, Gil resigned as senior pastor of the church in 1926. Nearly blind, Gil continued his evangelism leading revival services and preaching about the second coming until his death.

• Christianity in Korea
• March 1st Movement