Open Family FOF Korea
A rise in individualism and a shift in priorities toward academic success have negatively impacted marriage in South Korea, according to Korea’s National Statistical Office. In fact, only 320,000 couples married in 2001, which accounted for nearly 14,000 fewer marriages than the year before. Divorce, on the other hand, soared to 135,000, well above the 120,000 who skipped out on their vows in 2000. Focus on the Family is trying to help change those numbers through its associate office, Open Family. Open Family is combating the divorce-friendly trend and all other attacks on the institution of the family through resource distribution, radio broadcasts, seminars, church support and counseling. The Open Family broadcasts, which began airing in October 1995, can be heard across the country through three radio stations – FEBC, Changwon FEBC and Cheju Asia. The program has gained respect and credibility because of its long standing on the stations. Those who listen to the broadcasts are offered counseling services over the phone to constituents struggling with a range of family problems. Some constituents, however, do visit the Open Family office for counseling services. Open Family has also published a monthly newsletter titled People Who Put God in Their Families, which is designed to assist families in establishing family ministries within their homes. The newsletter has been well received by its readers. President Sam Kang reinforces the family ministry idea when he speaks at Open Family’s seminars, which are held at churches around Korea. During the seminars, Kang often emphasizes that there should be a “mini church” inside each family and that the family should live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The resource distribution part of the ministry has had similar success, as Open Family was able to publish 11 new titles in 2001. Among the titles published in Korean were Teaching Your Child How to Pray, What if I Married the Wrong Person and the Spiritual Growth of Children.