The great leader of the ancient wilderness church, Moses once uttered an inspirational voice to the Israelites.
“Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations! Ask your father, and he will inform you, Your elders, and they will tell you” (Deut 32:7).
Studying the days of old and the years of generations clearly becomes a root in establishing a historical view that straightens up the present and envisions bright future.
We celebrate the 37th anniversary of the independence as of this year. That number of years is equivalent to the years of our history of suffering we had gone through after the Japanese Annexation of Korea.
Even when Korean history was devastated with tragedy and choked with frustration, people of Korea did not resign but rose again toward the plaza of freedom and independence. It was because they were deeply rooted in firm resolve to lay down even their lives, believing in the hope of national resurrection.
It has been 37 years since the independence and 34 years since the foundation of the Republic of Korea, yet how shameful is it that only just now the Independence Hall is built? This demonstrates how much we lack wisdom and experience in loving our nation.
The birthplace of the Independence Hall is said to be in the Heukseok Mountain near Cheon-an. As it will be an eternal, holy citadel of our people, it should be indwelt with three qualities.
First is the light of the purity (in other words, the light that is so transparent without impurity or secularity), Secondly, the grand beauty (in other words, the beauty that is magnificently grandeur and splendid), Third is the virtue of reverence (in other words, the virtue of being humbly mindful with deep respect)
Upon this pure land overflowing with the spirit which animates and controls the universe, may the majestic and vigorous temperament of our people pulsate and the patriotism that invokes reverence in our hearts swell high throughout this land, like crashing, giant waves.
Now is the time for all people to contribute with joyful hearts and exert the virtue of patriotism to demonstrate the will of sovereign independence. How delightful and beautiful is this?
Dear saints, this is a great, millennial work of our nation to build in the name of the people, holding on to the words of God, “Remember the days of old, Consider the years of all generations! Ask your father, Your elders!”
Let us build it into a forever glorious land of commemoration by encasing the spirit of patriotic martyrs in each brick, pouring the souls of the righteous in each tree, planting the minds of the loyal servants in a clump of grass, carving the loyalty of leaders of national independence in each stone, mustering the righteous spirits of martyred saints and loyal and brave soldiers in each armful of soil, and sculpting the divine fidelity of patriotic men in each tile of the building.
Also, it should be an ultimate cradle for the national spirit unifying people’s minds, a training hall of people filled with the devotion for love of the nation, and a plaza of people’s spirit echoing with our desires and chorus.
All people, regardless of their social rank, level of education, gender, and religion, must have the three solemn senses of duty and responsibility toward their own nation. First is the duty of protecting one’s country with bravery, Second is the duty of building ones’ country with diligence, Third is the duty of loving one’s country with devotion.
These are the divine duties and just attitude of all people. Only when we possess them, we can make a self-protecting country, build a prosperous society, and establish a strong and wealthy nation.

Dear saints, the Independence Hall is a place to commemorate the independence of our country just as its name connotes!
The word “independence” certainly implies “unification,” and it must do so. The “unified independence” over which floats the banner of freedom, democracy, and peace! This is our earnest desire and hope.
The unification of our divided nation is our heart’s desire as well as a great mission in history that we must achieve in the future. Therefore, our strong, ardent desire and will to unify our nation must palpitate vibrantly throughout the Independence Hall.
Independence Hall encases our dreams of future, power, and light.
Foremost, it is the spirit, words, writings, and accounts of patriotic martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the independence of this nation, Second, it is the expression of our strong desire, wishing for the unification earnestly, Thirdly, it is the monumental tower to bless and pursue our everlasting prosperity and advancement.
May it be a grand gate of commemoration, a monumental tower, or a monument of the world, embodying the independence, unification, and prosperity!
It is just to reflect on our past and commemorate the great people and righteous men who dedicated themselves for the independence of the country. However, it is far more important to look ahead into the future of our people and the history.
Independence Hall should not only commemorate Korea of the past. It should be a hall of light, power, and dream to express the future Korea! unified Korea! and prosperous Korea!
A magnificent chorus and fanfare in the grandiose marching of our people resonate with vitality from independence to unification, from unification to prosperity. The vibrant pulsation! The large artery of the history! The powerful ideal of the nation! So shall express the eternal Independence Hall for 6,000 people of this nation.
I pray that God’s endless blessing will be upon the heads of those who serve and partake in this great divine work of our nation. With the blessing of God upon them, they shall dedicate themselves to such communal affairs with the heart of intellect and reverence.

Divine work is to be carried out with the divine heart. Only then will the people of this nation receive the birth of an eternal masterpiece.

Senior Pastor Abraham Park