The Bible Correspondence Center

History

Few works around the world can claim the success as the work of Korea's Bible Correspondence Center.  Beginning in 1964, it has been influential in the teaching the Bible and baptizing of thousands of individuals, training preachers, developing church leaders and establishing churches throughout South Korea.   In the early 1960s, Bill Ramsay, a missionary and professor at the newly formed Korea Christian College, noticed that only a few could attend college.  There were many he knew of that had no financial means or the proper academic credentials to enter college life.  Yet, these people longed for Bible training and a deepening of their knowledge of the Word of God.  Thus was born a Bible Correspondence Course program as a way to reach this untapped source of potential believers and future church leaders.  During the early sixties, the postal service (then by men on red bicycles) provided the method of communication, inexpensive though slow.  Hundreds of pieces of material were sent out, hoping someone would respond.  The very first and now historic enrollment came from an individual attending the Busan Central Church of Christ.  Within 3 months, came 15 other responses.  Ramsay knew that each contact was a soul made in the image of God. Responses would need cultivating and reminding. He started sending out encouragement cards.  Soon there were 24 responses.  Quickly the numbers grew, to where at present there are 160,000 individuals enrolled.  Of these, there are 40,000 actively continuing their correspondence studies.  52% of these come from within Korea itself.  48% are Koreans living elsewhere around the world. 

By the mid 1980s, the courses consisted of regular as well as advanced courses.  Later, college level courses were added.  Because of continuing technological advancement, 70% of current studies are through the internet.  Yet, the demand for printed materials remains high.  For example, some of the printed materials are taken to prisons and other places.  

CURRENT ACTIVITY

Internet site:

http://Bible.or.kr is the most popular Christian website in Korea, and attracts approximately 50,000 visitors a day, offering:

• Correspondence Courses - All of our Basic, Advanced, and College level courses can be completed online. An automated grading system has been developed specifically for our basic and advanced courses, making it possible for our staff to spend less time grading and more time tending to the individual needs of the students.
• Power for Today Magazine - This publication is available online in both English and Korean with additional dialogue, both in text and audio. We also publish a monthly paperback version. In the Kyobo bookstore in downtown Seoul, perhaps the largest in the world, Power for Today is the 2^nd largest selling Christian publication on the shelves. We are now able to take subscriptions through the web site as well.
• Streaming Video – Watch videos of our Winter School Lectures,  The Amazing Grace Bible Class, with Dr. Steve Flatt, and Herald of Truth’s Hope For Life’s Journey with Randy Becton.  These are also aired on CBS TV (Christian Broadcasting System), free of charge to us several times a week.  We have already begun to receive great audience feedback on each of these programs.  Please pray that God will bless this outreach tool.

Currently our team is reorganizing this area of the site calling it  “TV Studies in the Bible”, grouping the shows into 8 lessons on God’s Attributes, then The Gospel of Mark (12 lessons), then What is Faith? (5 lessons)  This area will include written questions from the context of the shows mentioned above, and will be a “step-by–step” journey through the Bible. We have started using a second server for the video portion of the website for a smoother picture and sound.

• Acappella Gospel Music – We have a growing library of over 450 acappella gospel songs

• BCC On Air – This is an Internet radio station with continuous broadcasting of acappella gospel music.
• 400 Questions & Answers – These Q&A on Biblical topics have been developed over BCC’s 39 year history
• Lessons for children – This is a section using colorful text & pictures, and audio to teach children the well-loved stories of the Bible.
• Photo Albums – See photos from previous Winter Schools going back 38 years to the first class
• Bible Search – Find a Bible passage in Korean or English.
• E-Mail, E-greeting, and much more

Key Dates in its History

Some of the key dates in the history of B.C.C.

1968 - the first Winter School.  The school had been suggested by a local preacher, Chung Hi Gun.  There were 24 enrolled for this first two week training in Bible.

1988 - the first year that graduate level courses were added to Winter School.

Through the years, this school has trained hundreds of individuals, including at least half of the current preachers in churches of Christ in South Korea. 

1995 - the first use of the World Wide Web

Its FOUR GOALS:

BCC has four goals as the driving force behind its operation:

1.  To spread the Gospel to every one who understands the Korean language.

2.  To baptize by immersion for the forgiveness of sins

3.  To teach everything that Jesus taught.

4.  2 Timothy 2:2 which says, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

FUTURE PROJECTS:

The Bible Correspondence Center, forty years old this year, still continues to dream big dreams.  This coming fall, it hopes to combine efforts with the Sunset International School of Bible Studies, and offer weekly instruction in Bible, as well as see the completion of brand new facilities in the heart of Seoul.