April 17th, 2007

As the whole nation mourns the horrible massacre at Virginia Tech, we want to send out a call to Christians in this nation, especially those of Korean descent, to desperately repent of our own sins and on behalf of the gunman, 23-year old Korean student, Seung-Hui Cho (Nehemiah 1:4-7, 2 Chronicles 7:14). Let us also pray that the all-surpassing grace, comfort and healing of God be upon the families and friends of the deceased and upon those injured — physically and emotionally — during yesterday’s shooting.

At JAMA, we have always prayed that God would use Americans of Korean descent to be a blessing to this nation, as we take spiritual ownership for the country we live in (1 Peter 2:9, Jeremiah 29:7). In this regard, we are immensely saddened that the worst shooting in American modern history was caused by a young, Korean student.

Let us bow down. As Christians. As a Korean-American community.

Let us repent. For our indifference. For our apathy. For seeking our own comfort and security, rather than the restoration and revival of our neighbors and communities of this nation.

Let us ask God for His grace. To assuage the enraged. To comfort the mourning. And to give peace to the disillusioned.

Let us ask God for His healing. For the victims. For the injured. For their families and friends. And for this nation.

Let us ask God for His redemption. That He would take this most horrific incident in American and Korean immigration history and turn it into an opportunity for good through our repentance and awakening for the healing of this nation.

Praying together,

Dr. John C. Kim (President of JAMA), staff & board members