Brief History of Noryangjin Christian Assembly

Noryangjin Christian Assembly is a gathering of Christians who have been born again as children of God, serving Him according to the truths of the New Testament church as a local assembly. As one of the first of such assemblies in Korea, we prefer the term "Christian Assembly" over the conventional term "Church" to describe our gathering, as we fellowship together in a common, precious faith.

Following the pure faith of the early church as depicted in the Book of Acts and the Epistles, we seek to inherit and practice those apostolic traditions. Our roots trace back to the Brethren Movement, which emerged almost simultaneously around the world in the 1820s. It began when seven young graduates from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, gathered to study the Scriptures and realized that many existing churches had drifted away from biblical teaching, becoming entangled in formalities and traditions. With a burning passion for the Gospel of God’s grace, the truth of the New Testament church, and the hope of the Lord’s Second Coming, this movement spread across Ireland, the United Kingdom, continental Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, etc.), and eventually to the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, China, India, and Arabia.

In 1962, Edwin Arthur James, an Austrian-born British missionary who had long served the Lord in the UK, arrived in Korea. He met young Christians who had already been born again through faith in Jesus Christ after hearing the Gospel from Christian US military officers. Starting with fifteen believers in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, the group moved through Yongsan, Sangdo-dong, and Bon-dong, eventually establishing the current assembly in Noryangjin. Missionary James was greatly used by the Lord through the cooperation of these young believers; 

God used Noryangjin Christian Assembly, which began with a small number, to pioneer many other assemblies, including Ahyun (now Seodaemun), Bulgwang-dong (now Eunpyeong), Guro-dong, Seongnam, Sillim-dong (now Bongcheon), Sangdo-dong, Sanggye, Seosan, Incheon Yeonsu, Wangsimni, and Nam-Seoul assemblies.

Today, there are approximately 230 such assemblies gathered in the same faith across Korea. We carry out world missions by supporting missionaries in 15 countries (Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, China, Cambodia, Mongolia, Australia, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Paraguay, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan). Furthermore, Korean local assemblies have been pioneered in the US and Canada, and we enjoy fellowship with assemblies worldwide—including those in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan—that share our faith. Our various ministries and organizations include the Emmaus Bible School, Christian Training Center, Military Gospel Mission, Christian Brethren University Fellowship, Jesus Christ Evangelistic Association, Sisterhood Mission, Open Door Mission Support, Good Samaritan House, Gospel Publishers, Mission House Publishing, People of New Life, People of Jesus, Christian Net, and GNTV (Internet broadcasting). We have also been broadcasting the Gospel via FEBC (Far East Broadcasting Company) since 1975.

Many servants of God have been used by Him through this movement, including: J. N. Darby, often called the "Tertullian of the modern age" for his biblical scholarship; George Müller, a man of answered prayer; C. H. Mackintosh, known for his commentaries on the Pentateuch; William Kelly, a prolific writer and editor of Darby’s works; Sir Robert Anderson, who established the foundation of prophecy studies through his commentary on Daniel; S. P. Tregelles, a master of biblical languages; Andrew Miller, who wrote church history from a prophetic perspective; Thomas Newberry, author of the Englishman's Bible; Erich Sauer, a gifted teacher and author; George V. Wigram, who published the perfect Concordance to the Bible; Anthony Norris Groves, who relied solely on the Lord in his Indian missions; Frederick Stanley Arnot, who continued Livingstone’s work in Africa; and the "Cambridge Seven," who exerted profound influence on the conversion of students and global mission movements. Additionally, D. L. Moody (founder of Moody Bible Institute) and Henri Moorhouse, along with world-renowned biblical scholar F. F. Bruce, are among the thousands of church leaders and scholars who sought to gather solely in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, guided by their conscience and the Holy Spirit.

Thomas Griffith once remarked, "These Brethren were the ones who interpreted the truth most correctly among the children of God," and H. A. Ironside, a scholar who fellowshipped with the Brethren, stated, "Those who know God, whether they realize it or not, have been helped directly or indirectly by the Brethren." Like Ezra, these men devoted their hearts to the study, practice, teaching, and proclamation of the Word of God (Ezra 7:10).

We seek to follow the example of these predecessors, to be united in brotherly love, led by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God, and to serve God the Father centered on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our goal is to grow into Christ in His love and truth. Because Christ is not divided, we do not use denominational names; we desire only to obey the teachings of the Holy Scriptures.

Noryangjin Christian Assembly currently consists of approximately 150 members, and we are committed to preaching the Gospel, teaching the truth, fellowshipping with one another, breaking bread, and praying until the Lord returns.