Pastor Kim Gi-seok on Faith’s Paradox: Lighter Burdens When We Share Others’ Loads
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Kim Gi-seok, 69, retired senior pastor of Cheongpa Church, reflects on the meaning of Christmas and a lifetime of ministry in an interview at his study room in Gwacheon. Influenced by humble, generous Christians he met in youth, Kim pursued ministry and spent 43 years at Cheongpa, emphasizing preaching that blends scripture with broad humanistic knowledge. He values communicating faith in universal language, learned while serving as a school chaplain, and began popular YouTube talks during the pandemic that comforted young people by acknowledging doubt rather than offering dogmatic certainty. Kim argues that prayer is not merely asking God to fulfill desires but tuning our heart to God’s; true Christian life is walking Jesus’ difficult path of compassion. He says faith often appears like loss when we give time and help to others, yet paradoxically sharing others’ burdens makes our own lighter — a spiritual mystery he urges people to practice, especially at Christmas, to see each person as valuable beyond political or social divides.
