,, ^ ^

V 4'ril 25, 1972

News of His. ..

.. .Bert Ellis sent word that the new graduate school where he

u/itK

teaches in Pusan, Korea, opened in Marchyjeight students.^Wiere would have been

more but announcements were late, approval of transcripts was delayed, and we

anticipate we will have a much larger enrollment next semester^'^. Bro. Ellis
teaches all New Testament courses in the graduate school as he does in the undergraduate
division.

Aidress; Box l4l, Pusan, Korea. .

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

Page 7

THl'. BERT ELLIS FAMILY IN KOREA

The Bert Ellis family began Christian

service in Korea in 1958. They left the
pastorate of the church in Cabool, Mo. in
Sept. 1956 to prepare to go to Korea. At
that time Mr. Ellis had served almost 20

years in evangelism and in various past

orates in Ind., 111., Tenn., and Mo. His
education was obtained at Cincinnati Bible

Seminary, Lincoln Christian College, Milligan College, Indianapolis Bible Institute,

and Floyd Jones School of Sacred Music.
,
The arrived in Korea in May 1958 and dur
ing their first term were engaged in various
activities.

Through a fortunate arrangement with

the first commercial radio station to go on
the air in Korea in 1959, of which Mr. Ellis
was an official advisor, they were enabled
to preach the Gospel in a regular daily
broadcast in Pusan, a city of 1,500,000

people at that time (now 2,000,000) with al

most 4,000,000 living in the immeciiate area.
In addition, they formed student Bible
clubs with some 150 high school and college
students meeting weekly in five clubs in the
mission chapel, a rented building in the down
town area.

A preaching service was held in the cha

pel on Sunday mornings maintaining an aver
age attendance over several years of more
than 75.

A Sunday school for children was also be

gun and this reached an average attendance
of 300-400 primary school children, meeting
both Sunday morning and evening.
Various other Bible classes were held for

students and adults with five classes meeting

weekly at the peak of this activity.
Correspondence Bible lessons were also
developed with about 100 enrolled at any one
time, each student being given personal at
tention. Study materials were prepared for
all these activities in the Korean language,
and visual aids such as filmstrips, flannelgraph and puppets were used in presenting
the Gospel.
The activities finally became so many and
varied that some adjustment was necessary as
the missionaries were unable to properly de
velop all the activities. Because of this, the
radio program, which was the most time-con
suming in preparation, was terminated near
the end of their first term.

They returned to the U. S. on furlough in the

spring of 1962. Mr. Ellis had had an exten
ded illness during the last few months of their
first term and while on furlough, had major
surgery. His recovery was slower than ex
pected and they were forced to prolong their
stay in the U. S. to almost two years, re
turning to Korea early in 1964. Their son,
John, remained in the U. S. to finish high

school and attend college. He graduated from

Milligan College in 1969.
Unfortunately their extended stay in the
U. S. caused some problems in the work in
Korea. It became necessary for some of the
activities to be reconsidered and rebuilt. In

addition, at that time Korea was going through

drastic political, economic and social changes
and this affected the mission activities. An

opportunity opened for the Gospel which Mr.

Ellis felt they should take advantage of.
Pusan Union Theological Seminary, a
new independent school, asked Mr. and Mrs.

Ellis if they would teach there. This school,

founded in 1962, is associated with a private

school foundation consisting of some 15 schools

ranging from kindergarten through a 4 year
girls' college. Some 15,000 students are en
rolled in these various schools. Many of the
schools above primary school level are such
private schools. This foundation was begim
by a Presbyterian minister, now 80 years of
age, some 30 years ago. He has now turned
the foundation activities over to the chairman

ship of his son, but he still remains active as

president of the seminary. The seminary has
no direct connection with any denomination;
the trustees, faculty and students come from
some 10 different denominations.

Mr. Ellis is the professor of New Testa

ment, teaching practically all the New Testa

ment courses. He has also served as a trus

tee of the school. Mrs. Ellis teaches English;

all Korean students study English from junior
high through college. She uses special Chris
tian materials which she and Mr. Ellis have

prepared, so that the students also get Bible

knowledge and Christian doctrine. They are
the only foreigners connected with the school.
The mission has no financial involvement in

the school. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are paid the

regular rate the Korean teachers receive.
They are paid on a lecture fee basis and their

(continued on next page)

Page 8

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

(continued from previous page)

highest income has been about $30 a month!

The school is completely Korean, being fin
anced and administrated by Koreans. Mr.

and Mrs. Ellis are given complete freedom

in their teaching and teach just the same as
if they were in one of our own schools in the
States.

About the middle of the second term,

it was decided that the downtown location of
the mission must be abandoned due to the

increase in property values and rent. Ano

ther location was secured near a university
in a good residential district. For awhile
church services and Sunday schools were
held in both locations with each Sunday school
averaging from 300-400. Only the second

location is now being used.

1968 the mission had maintained a
/staffUntil
of some six to 10 Korean workers to

take care of the various activities. It is

offered. This should lead to enrollment of

a better class of students and the graduate

school will also draw preachers in the Pusan
area. It will also give an opportunity for
more advanced courses and better preparation
for the teachers and preachers.

Mr. Ellis will be teaching practically all

the courses in New Testament in both under

graduate and graduate departments. Study

materials will be prepared for all the courses
as there is a real shortage of adequate texts
in the Korean language. Mrs. Ellis has been
asked to teach English Bible at the girls'
college this year. There is no end to the
opportunities for teaching and preaching.
There will be some teaching and preaching
outside the seminary program.
John Ellis has been representing the mis
sion in churches and camps during his high
school and college days in the U. S. In Sept.

most difficult to find trained, capable, con

1971 he returned to Korea for a short intern

secrated workers, but the mission was fort

ship, surveying the needs and opportunities

unate in most of its choices. The young

women, all college graduates, eventually
reached marriageable age and following Kor
ean custom, did not continue working after
their marriage. This caused a constant
turnover of staff. Due to these facts and a

conviction bom from our ejqjerience that

those activities which depend upon foreign

here before continuing his preparation in gra

duate school for work in Korea. He has been

teaching at the seminary in Pusan during his

stay and has been well received by both stud
ents and faculty. He will be returning to the
U. S. in May 1972 and will be available for
representing the work in Korea in churches

that the best contribution they might make in

and camps during the summer, also during

the school year as time permits. He is plan
ning to work for a Masters Degree at Wheaton
College.
The school year has now opened. The
freishman class at seminary is about 25, the
largest class which has been enrolled. Bert
and John are both teaching in the New Testa

Korea was in the training of preachers and

ment department.

teachers, not only in imparting knowledge

Like most projects in Korea, the graduate

school opened with some problems. Of 13 who
presented transcripts, eight were accepted.

funds for subsidy seldom, if ever, become

self-supporting, it became necessaary to j

re-evaluate the situation.
Mr. and Mrs. Ellis had no intention of

making their teaching at seminary a major

part of their work. However, it seemed

concerning the Bible and methods of teach

ing evangelization, but helping to properly

motivate them toward the evangelizing of
the 90% of the the Koreans who are not Chris

tians. Consequently, they began spending

more and more time with this activity.
Beginning with this new year in school
an arrangement has been made with one of

our schools in the U. S. to honor work given

here at the seminary for a degree from the
U. S. school. One of the handicaps in at
tracting Korean students to theological schools
is that only a few of the schools can grant
degrees. Coupled with this is the opening of

These eight are all actively engaged in some

area of Christian service. They represent
about seven different denominations. They
are required to take half their work in New

Testament courses taught by Mr. Ellis. We

consider this a fine opportunity.
NEEDS

Additional funds for translation and pub

lishing expense. John also needs to find sup-^

porting congregations.

Visual aids such as pictures, filmstrips,

for use in Christian Education courses. Good

a graduate school here. A Bachelor of Theo

Christian books for graduate research.

logy and Master of Theology degree will be

Bert Ellis, Box 141, Pusan, Korea

Loraine Lindsay
Drawer M, Cabool, Mo. 65689

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

THE BERT ELLIS FAMILY IN KOREA

Pastor Kwon, a good friend of ours for more than 10 years.

He is a refugee from North Korea, educated as a Presbyter
ian pastor, read himself to a New Testament position. Came
across some of our people here by chance. Faithfully mini
sters to a small congregation which he organized after fleeing
to South Korea. Has earned practically all his own support.

Pastor Kwon, at the pulpit, in typical

traditional garb.

Page 22

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

THE BERT ELLIS FAMILY IN KOREA

MMTrHiii

-rtii - .;

4 * ^

Bert standing at the door of newly rebuilt church building.

Pastor Kwon and his little congregation almost finished the
building from their own meager resources, then we broke
one of our rules and asked our supporters for a little help
to finish the job. The pastor and people were overjoyed.
We do not usually build church buildings; experience has
shown that help of that kind seldom advances the real work
of the Lord in Korea. Long experience with this group made
the difference.

From the left: Bert, Pastor Kwon, Suh Jueng Doh, Kim

Yong Sup and Marge, ready to share a chicken dinner after

a visit to Pastor Kwon's church. Mrs. Suh has worked with

us for almost 10 years, Mr. Kim is our very able interpreter.

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

THE BERT ELUS FAMILY IN KOREA

Dr. Kim Kiel Chang, John,

Marge and Bert, just after
John's arrival at airport in
Pusan. Dr. Kim is the pre
sident of the seminary where
Bert and John teach. He is

80 yrs. of age but still quite

alert and active.

Dr. Kim being honored on his 80th

birthday at the school Thanksgiving pro
gram. He began this Christian school
foundation more than 30 years ago with
just one school.

A small part of some 15,000

students assembled for the

annual Thanksgiving service

of the school foundation of

which the seminary is a part.

The foundation includes 12

schools. The Thanksgiving

service is held outside at the

city sports stadium each Nov.

with an outstanding program.

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

THE BERT ELLIS FAMILY IN KOREA

Pastor Kwon, preaching

on Sunday morning.

Pastor Kwon and Bert and their new bell-

tower built by the Wilsey, Kansas church.

Church bells here are most important in

witnessing to the community, especially

when they ring out for the early morning
prayermeeting, every morning at about
5:00 A.M.!!

A view across the city from the

location of Pastor Kwon's church.

Pusan is a city of some two mil

lion people. In the city proper

we have only two small congre
gations. The greatest handicap
to growth is the few trained
Korean leaders who work in the
cities. Our work at the semi

nary is an attempt to meet this

need.

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

PUSAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

C. M. Chang
Chang family taken in 1969.

>

*u:

'31

fV;

iifc,
j>

Alpha Hall, first building to be erected, dedicated in

April 1966. Name changed to Lash Memorial Building

in 1971.

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

PUSAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Ei w

jiti

i! i.
i - Vt-': -

!i.

hi/'?-

i^.^r

Dedication Service of Alpha Hall

April 2, 1966

\K:.'

K'-:

The first commencement of Far East Christian Vocational

College, Dec. 20, 1966, with 13 graduates. S. M. Chang

is speaking.

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

PUSAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

S. M. Chang, founder and

president, speaking at the
special worship service on
the occasion of receiving
accreditation for the school

from the government.

Jime 21, 1970

,4'-

wm ^

Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Chang

put up new sign board of the

school after special worship

service. Name changed to
Pusan Christian College after

accreditation.

t f

Page 28

C. Y. Kim Family
Left to right: Patricia,
Phillip, Peter, and C.Y.

f
Korean Bible Seminary

Bible High School

Two of their teachers and

the student body.

The Christian Mission, Vol. 16, No. 6, June 1972

C. Y. KIM KOREAN MISSION

.hi'iTlT

Taking boxes of used clothing,

new toys, candy to Eden Baby
Home.

Bro. Kim lovingly holding

an orphan.

Pat giving some baby clothes

to a girl who left her child in
their car.

Kim baptizing them into Christ

The largest statue of Buddha in the world.

Note the human figure at the base to give an
idea of the height.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Y. Kim pray with Mrs. Chang in the

prison. (See story in the jimior section.)

BERT, MARGE & JOHN ELLIS

P. 0. Box 141, Pusan, KOREA.
November, 1972
Dear Christian Friends:

Greetings again from the land of many trials and problemsI

we look back over the past year it has been in some ways

trating since we first arrived here in 1958# But it has

As

frus

of reward.

Earlier in the year we were plagued with weather probkemsft Floods, v^^e than ev

er before in history, hit many parts of the country. Hundl5^4b>g^^^^le^^lE6re killed

and there was almost unbelievable property loss. Just as we we?<FxfIliming we were

most fortunate down here in Pusan in not having such problems locally, about the mid

dle of the morning one eventful day, during a downpour, we heard cries coming from
our immediate neighbors and found that they had something like 2 feet of water invad
ing their homes, and when we looked out the front window we found that the main street
only some 100 feet away was running a torrent of water! Reports soon came of the
failure of a dam in the western part of

just a short distance away, in

which almost 100 people drowned

tuiatSliyc^^ed all damage.
There have also been numei^'ua'^litical problems. / Democracy is still under trial
here and at present the country''WBtf4lJl^^^^rof;^.i^JU'l*''^lLh many restrictions. Discret
ion and absolute censorship forbids ouiT^s^ing more about the political situation.
Yes, this year has been most frustrating. It seems that whenever one tries to go
against the current he can expect trial and disappointment and that has been our lot
this year. We told you previously that we had made arrangements with one of our U. S.
schools to grant degrees for work done here, which we believed would help in obtain
ing a better class of student. We opened graduate school in March, with many misgiv
ings, as we had not received the whole-hearted cooperation we anticipated and felt
was necessary from the administration of the local seminary. It became apparent that
all was not well soon after school opened. Everything was left to the last moment

and in the rush to get started we were not able to see clearly just what was going
on. We soon found that we were telling the students one thing while the seminary ad
ministration had its own version of the proceedings so that students were confused.

As the representative of the U.S. school we were determined to see things done accord
ing to certain standards, more strict than Korean standards. It was apparent that
somewhere along the line some prospective students were getting the idea that they
could

without working; such proceedings have been an open scan

dal iifl^^r^iit^he past several years with men buying fictitious or worthless de
grees from foreign institutions. It seemed apparent also that someone, somewhere,
was aiding this supposition with the view of some personal gain. It was several
weeks after school opened before the applications and transcripts were turned over to

us by the school here for our examination and approval. After a quick look we iimnediately stopped any further applications. We never did see all the papers but after
examining what were submitted to us we accepted 8 out of 21 for degree work! Of course
some of the students were angry at being excluded at that late date. In a show of sol
idarity, following Korean custom, the students all refused to meet unless they were
all admitted. We stood our ground and held no further classes. Gradually, those who

were qualified saw that their actions were hurting only themselves and they approach
ed us to resume classes. Consequently, we held special classes for them during vacat

ion to try to make up some time lost. Several more students were admitted for the
fall semester and we now have 13 students enrolled. Our refusal to give in has seem

ed to impress them and the strict standards of the U.S. school have also now gained
their approval. There were times during the holdout when, we were completely discour
aged but we are quite happy now with the attitude of the students enrolled. They are
all older and more mature and engaged in specialized Christian service. We feel we
can have more impact here than even in teaching undergraduates which we are continu

ing to do. Unfortunately, among the decrees of martial law, all colleges and univer
sities are closed as they have often been centers of political opposition so we are
unable at the moment to have classes. We pray this situation will not continue much

ELLIS NEWSLETTER - November, 1972 - Page 2

longer. There is encouraging news that we may also have extension graduate classes
in a nearby city next year. We had hoped and planned for this but it appears it may
work out sooner than expected. We will commute one day a week for these classes.
Another recent event in which you will be interested is both disappointing and,

at the same time, hopeful. Just a week ago we were approgt^d

of Korean

Christians asking us to fellowship with them in startin^ra new churcli^ There are
about 20 adults in the group. The disappointing thing is that thdy^Ti^e been assoc
iated with one of the local "Christian leaders" in the Church of Christ here, some

for as long as 20 years, and have finally come to the conclusion that he has no in
terest in the church and so have separated from him. The surprising thing to us is
that it took them 20 years to figure this when we saw it within 6 months of our
arrival and refused to have anything further to do with the man! Out of 3 elders of
his church and 10 deacons, 3 elders and 7 deacons separated, some of whom even be
long to this man's family. They appear to be in earnest and we have set another con
ference with them at which time they will outline their future plans. It may be that
at last an independent congregation with some hope of success can be established here
in Pusan.

One of our graduate students, whom we also taught in undergraduate school, is a

young Church of Christ pastor whose background is with the non-instrument brethren,
but this has not affected our relationship. We mentioned before how he successfully
built a good congregation with over 100 now in attendance, refusing financial help
from the Church of Christ missionaries. He has made further progress now in that he
has been working with three independent congregations with Presbyterian backgrounds
some 50 miles from Pusan.

He was invited to one of them for a week's Bible teaching

and as a result was welcomed to all three, has immersed many of the attendants and
has a program of teaching these people and their local evangelists. He plans to vis
it them once a month for several days for Bible teaching and has invited me to ac
company him. This is the kind of thing that can be done here with good, consecrated
leadership! We are hopeful we may influence some of our graduate students in this
way. Many of them are pastors of independent congregations with little or no denom
inational ties and we seek to motivate them and lead them to better understanding

of the New Testament through our lectures and various publications which we use.
John is
Graduate School at Wheaton College, working hard. His
address
N. Summit, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. Contact him for
speaking
about the work here.
We deeply appreciate your continued financial support, even when we have not
been so good recently in keeping in touch with you. It has been difficult to write
when things were up one day and down the next without giving a false picture of the
situation. Please continue to send your financial aid to: Miss Loraine Lindsey,Cabool State Bank, Drawer M, Cabool, Missouri 65689. A note a few days ago from
Loraine says the mission account is down to $27.00 and warns to write no more
checks! Most bills are paid up with the exception of our salary which continues to
run about 10-12 months behind!

Above all, remember us in your prayers!

Our best wishes to all of you who so

faithfully support the Lord's work here.

Faithfully yours,