The church’s world propagation effort through Christian NGOs is a missionary strategy that appropriately meets the cultural trend of the globalization age. Among different kinds of NGOs, international development NGO is unique because one can effectively attain its missionary goal through implementation of regional development programs in the targeted region. Furthermore, NGOs are very useful in gaining access in certain parts of the world where there is no freedom of religion. Christians and churches have played a central role in the history of NGO in Korea that history of NGO in Korea can legitimately called the history of Christian NGO. Few examples of Christian NGO activities in Korea include: a) Independent movement under the Japanese colonial rule, b) relief efforts in the 1950’s before and after the Korean civil war, c) citizens’ democratization movement under the military regimes in the 1970’s and the 1980’s, and d) North Korea aid activities through northsouth exchanges. Today, moving beyond the basic Christian missionary work, the Korean Christian NGOs are propagating into the world to satisfy the needs of the local people and the need for world missions. Despite the successful Christian NGO activities, churches should always keep in mind that the establishment of NGOs without a purpose that centers on evangelical propagation or church building can result in adverse outcomes. Churches should operate Christian NGOs professionally with proper philosophical understanding and academic knowledge. Today’s Christian NGOs have tremendous amount of responsibilities that include: a) clarifying their identity as Christian, b) consisting up of members with strong Christian view of the world, c) equipping their operation with expertise and regularity, d) being effective in receiving countries, and, above all, e) revealing the excellence of Christianity throughout the whole world through transparent and ethical management centered on human rights. The relationship between the church and Christian NGOs and missionary organizations and Christian NGOs should never be a competition for resources. Rather, their relationship should always be a cooperation to bring God’s kingdom to this world and accomplish the Great Commission for world missions. Apart from church, Christian NGOs will lose their purpose of existence.

• 김원곤(삼육대학교, 선교학) | Won Gon Kim