[Haruchunja] "Creating a Culture of Life in 2024"

Editor's NoteThe year of the Blue Dragon, Gapjin Year, has dawned. Asia Economy continues the '10,000 Steps a Day, 1,000 Characters a Day' campaign in 2024 to protect brain health and promote a healthy centenarian era by walking 10,000 steps daily and writing 1,000 characters by hand every day. For the first week's 1,000-character transcription phrase of the new year, we introduce New Year's messages from religious leaders of Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, and others. Although doctrines and expressions differ among religions, their messages share a common thread: lamenting the war situations between Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Hamas, striving to overcome South Korea's severe low birthrate problem together, and hoping for harmony and coexistence among the people. Pastor Jang Jong-hyun, president of the Korea Christian Federation, a Protestant united organization, urged, "In the new year, the church must take the lead in creating a culture of life," adding, "The church must be a hope not only in bearing and raising children but also in passing on a beautiful world to future generations." The text contains 942 characters.

Hallelujah! The hopeful new year 2024 has dawned. We give thanks and glory to Jehovah God, who has granted us a new day. We are grateful for God's grace that renews all things and pray that we begin the new year with prayer and the Word.

Last year, we went through truly difficult times. We witnessed neighbors suffering and groaning due to war, famine, and a global economic downturn. Yet, even amid such pain, we can be thankful because our Savior Jesus Christ is with us and shares in their suffering.

God said that those who seek refuge in Jehovah (Psalm 34:8) and those who trust in Jehovah (Psalm 84:12) are blessed. Let us entrust all problems to our Lord and hope for the grace and blessings He will newly pour out, advancing in faith in the new year.

Especially, I hope that in the new year, the church will take the lead in creating a culture of life. The total fertility rate, which has fallen to 0.7, darkens the future of the Republic of Korea. Individualism, where only my well-being matters, is rampant in our society. The church must be a hope not only in bearing and raising children but also in passing on a beautiful world to future generations.

For the church to be a hope, I hope that in the new year, the Korean church will obey God's word to "be fruitful and multiply" and devote more effort to the Prayer Spirit Movement, seeking the Holy Spirit's help in all things. When we pray, the nation and people stand upright, and a new era of peace and leap forward can be opened. Prayer solves all problems. It breaks down walls and unites us as one. Let us devote ourselves to prayers that save the world with humility and patience.

In the new year 2024, I earnestly hope that God's good will will be fulfilled in all areas of our lives, including politics, economy, society, and culture, and that the history of God's kingdom expanding will occur.

Happy New Year. Thank you.

New Year's Morning 2024

Pastor Jang Jong-hyun, President of the Korea Christian Federation