On Hangul Day, the story of a 77-year-old woman offers a meaningful look at the value of literacy and faith. Nam-sun Kim, a deacon at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Peter Tribe Gwangju Church in Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea, learned to read and write Hangul at the age of 60. Having lost her parents early in life, she missed the opportunity to attend school during her childhood. Her desire to read the Bible independently eventually inspired her to start learning the Korean alphabet later in life. Today, this achievement allows her to navigate daily tasks independently, engage in scripture copying, and prepare for church examinations. The primary motivation behind her learning journey was her connection with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and her passion for understanding scripture.
Event Overview
Personal Background and Early Challenges
Nam-sun Kim spent her early years without learning Hangul due to losing her parents at a young age. Following the death of her husband, her inability to read or write beyond her own name created daily obstacles. Tasks such as banking transactions and handling official paperwork required constant assistance from others.
Before learning to read, Kim attended an established church in a rural area. She carried a Bible with her, but whenever the pastor referenced a scripture passage, she relied on fellow churchgoers to find the page for her. Despite these reading difficulties, she enjoyed singing praises to God and actively participated in the church choir.
Main Activities
Learning Hangul Through Bible Study at Age 60
Kim began her formal learning journey at age 60 after her child introduced her to Bible study at the Zion Christian Mission Center, affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. Her interest grew as she listened to lectures about God's words, leading her to attend both morning and evening sessions on her own initiative.
During that time, lectures were recorded on cassette tapes for repeated listening. Kim opened her Bible, listened to the recordings, and read full sentences out loud. Rather than following the conventional method of learning basic consonants and vowels first, she used Bible sentences directly as her learning material. By repeatedly listening to and reading lectures starting from the Book of Revelation Chapter 1, she gradually learned individual characters and words.
This newfound literacy changed her everyday routine. She gained the ability to read street signs and verify bus destinations independently, performing daily activities that previously required asking others for help.
Key Messages and Responses
Scripture Copying and Church Examination Preparation
With her ability to read and write, Kim's approach to studying scripture shifted significantly. She is currently transcribing the Book of Revelation by hand and preparing for the first stage of the "Heavenly Kingdom Exam," scheduled to take place at her church in November. She noted that being able to read and write scripture herself altered her perspective, making the lectures feel more meaningful and deepening her hope for God and heaven.
Family Reactions and Advice to Others
Initially, Kim's other children expressed concern regarding her attendance at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and preferred that she not attend. However, after witnessing her learning to read and write Hangul, transcribing the Bible, and studying diligently, their outlook shifted to a positive one.
Addressing individuals who feel hesitant about learning at an advanced age, Kim shared that age is not a barrier to starting something new. She encouraged others by pointing out that although initial steps can be difficult, progress comes step by step, just as she began her own path at age 60.
Meaning of the Event
Kim's story highlights how her decision to learn Hangul through scripture study expanded her ability to interact with the world around her. Timed around Hangul Day, her experience serves as an example of how personal determination and education can transform daily life and religious practice at any age.
Nam-sun Kim's journey from functional illiteracy to transcribing scripture demonstrates the transformative impact of learning at 60. Guided by her motivation to read the Bible at the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, she gained both practical independence and a deeper engagement with her faith.
What are your thoughts on starting a new learning journey later in life? Feel free to leave a comment below to share your perspective.
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Stories of Transformation: Literacy and Lifelong Learning in Faith Communities
Shincheonji Church of Jesus: Educational Initiatives and Bible Seminars
Understanding the Book of Revelation: Educational Lectures at Zion Christian Mission Center
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