Food for the Seoul

Food for the Seoul

The Lutheran Church of St Andrew the Apostle, Brisbane/Meanjin, is in the central business district of Brisbane. The purpose statement of the congregation says that it means to be a city-based, Lutheran faith community sharing its gifts to the mutual benefit of the congregation and the broader community. Many of the congregants live outside the central business district of Brisbane and travel some distance to attend the Divine Service/Mass presided over by our Pastor, Tommi Vuorinen. St Andrew’s has a very diverse membership, and like many churches, has been dealing with declining numbers and ageing membership. However, we have something very exciting to celebrate!

On 15 September, Bishop Paul Smith, churchwide Bishop of the LCANZ, ordained to the Public Ministry as a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP), a member of our congregation, Yong Bong Cho. During the same service, Bishop Mark Vainikka, Bishop of the LCAQD, installed Yong Bong as a pastor of our congregation.

Yong Bong’s journey to ordination to the Public Ministry has been a very interesting one. Born and raised in South Korea, he attended both the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches while at school. At the age of 25 he met and married the love of his life, his wife Giselle, with whom he has two children: Sharon and Aaron. The family’s spiritual home was then with the Presbyterian Church. Yong Bong served for seven years in the South Korean military as an industrial mechanical engineer, industrial designer and IT programmer. He later completed Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Business Administration.

A significant change occurred for Yong Bong in his spiritual journey at the age of 40. He was formally ordained a deacon with a ministry focused on youth and young adults. This ministry led him to a call to work with a growing missionary organisation in Korea where he served as a youth minister for 5 years. Another twist in this tale occurred when Yong Bong, Giselle and their young family decided to emigrate to Australia.

Arriving in Adelaide, South Australia where there was no Korean church nearby at the time, they began attending the local Lutheran Church. Despite language, cultural and doctrinal differences, the Cho family adapted well. The welcome of the Lutheran Church encouraged Yong Bong to enrol in the Pastoral Stream at the former Luther Seminary on Jeffcott Street, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology.

Wanting to connect with a larger Korean community, the family decided to move to Brisbane. They felt called to establish a Lutheran Church for Korean speakers in Brisbane City. With the support of the LCAQD and Pastor Tommi Vuorinen, Yong Bong, Giselle and their family began worshipping at St Andrew’s Lutheran Church Brisbane City. The first Korean Prayer Service was held at St Andrew’s on 1 January 2023.

Initially the gathering for the weekly prayer service in Korean numbered around five. In a short space of time, it has increased significantly. In addition to the prayer service, the small but growing group shares a meal of both South Korean delights and western fare. Australian Standard English is also taught and practised by the group members during the meal.

Now that he is ordained to the Public Ministry, Yong Bong will not only be able to lead the prayer service in Korean, but also celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion in Korean for this community. This will expand the languages used during special services at St Andrew’s where Finnish has featured significantly in recent times.

In reflecting on his journey, Yong Bong said,

“One of the greatest joys God has given us is the fellowship we share over a traditional Korean meal after worship. I am dreaming now, and all the members of St Andrew’s are dreaming of a vibrant, faith-filled community where people from all backgrounds can encounter God’s grace, share in fellowship and grow together in Christ, united by His love and purpose. Our beginning marks the first official Korean language Lutheran service in Australia.

“I often say, ‘I was a Presbyterian in Korea, but a Lutheran in Australia.’ I am proud to be a Lutheran because of the church’s commitment to the authority of Scripture, and its emphasis on grace and faith deeply resonate with my theological convictions and my desire to serve the church in a pastoral capacity. I have been privileged to participate and embrace Lutheran tradition and theology at St Andrew’s Church in Brisbane. Our liturgy is a sacred and beautiful gift that continually inspires me. The church embraces diversity and welcomes people of all cultures, languages, and backgrounds. No one is excluded, and God is worshipped in the united community of the Lord at St Andrew’s Church.”

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The Congregation recognises diversity as a gift from God. We:

• celebrate and affirm this rich diversity
• pay particular attention to our use of language in liturgy and our daily interactions
• accept that we are all flawed.

The Lutheran Church of St Andrew the Apostle Brisbane/Meanjin

25 Wickham Terrace
Spring Hill QLD 4004

Reverend Tommi Vuorinen and Reverend Yong Bong Cho

Sunday Service Times

• 10:00am Divine Service/Mass
• 1:00pm Korean Service