Korean in Bahrain

Introduction / History

Koreans are believed to have ancestral links to the ancient Mongolians and Turks. They likely migrated to the Korean peninsula from as far away as the Siberian region.

South Korea boasts Asia's third-largest economy. Exports of electronics, automobiles, and machinery allow the country to afford many conveniences of the modern world. High rates of cable and/or satellite television usage and high-speed internet connectivity make South Korea a member of the cutting-edge technology users of the world. The country is also credited with pioneering television via mobile devices and the internet revolution.

South Korean economic power has opened many business opportunities throughout the world. Some have migrated to other parts of the world, including a small number in Bahrain.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The first Korean migrants to Bahrain came in the 1970s as blue-collar workers. Many who come there today are business executives. Koreans have a Korean market and several Korean restaurants in Bahrain.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The dominant religions of South Korea are Christianity and Buddhism, despite the fact that most of the population express no particular affiliation with a religion. South Korea has the third largest number of professing Christians of all the East Asian and Southeast Asian countries.

There is a great deal of ambiguity in the practice and adherence to the belief systems in South Korea. Many people see religion as an inherited trait as much or more so than a faith. Also, many South Koreans practice elements of several belief systems. Christianity is the only faith that maintains distinct lines between those who belong to the belief system. For the other religions, it can be difficult if not impossible to know who practices what.

New religions are spreading among South Koreans. This could be due to the almost unparalleled media access available to South Koreans.

In the 20th century the Korean Church had amazing growth in numbers and influence. It was founded on sound indigenous principles, blessed with a succession of revivals, refined by persecution, and is now one of the foremost in the world for mission vision. Its presence is highly visible; every level of society has been impacted, and growth has been remarkable. However, they seem to be losing their devotion in the 21st century. Pray for revival in Korean churches, leading to renewed missionary zeal.

What Are Their Needs?

South Koreans need continued clear, consistent, and relentless representation of biblical Christianity. Like any other country on earth, this nation needs people teaching the Bible, reinforcing its principles, applying its doctrines, and living out its requirements to love, serve, and persist in the faith. They have been a major sending base for missionaries for decades, but that missionary fever seems to be waning in the 21st century. They have a tremendous potential to reach the Muslims of Bahrain.

Prayer Points

Ask God to continue to raise up Korean missionaries to go to the ends of the earth.
Pray that God will ignite passion for Christ and his word into Koreans in Bahrain.
Pray they will evangelize Bahrain with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project