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Carl Powers and Billy Kim met in Taegu, Korea in 1950 |
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Trudy and Billy's wedding in Greenville, Michigan |
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Billy Kim was born in 1934 into a poor farming family with three older brothers and an older sister. His arrival was near the end of the Japanese occupation and life was very difficult. He aspired to become a politician in order to help poor people live a better life. When the Korean War broke out in June of 1950, the Kim family could not escape thus enduring the hardships of war in Suwon. Billy worked as a houseboy for the U. S. military under Sgt.
Carl Powers, who helped him go to America to get an education. He left Korea on November 12, 1951 filled with fear and excitement. Carl Powers enrolled Billy at Bob Jones Academy in Greenville, South Carolina where Billy received Jesus Christ as his Savior. He excelled in many areas, but early in his education, won a South Carolina speech contest with a speech entitled “I Speak for Democracy”. On weekends, he preached at small country churches impressing the congregation along with his classmates. |
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He earned top grades in college and in August 1958, Billy married Trudy whom he met at Bob Jones Academy. God blessed their life, marriage and ministry. In February 1959, Billy was ordained at Dante Baptist Church, and in November of that year received his master’s degree. The fearful 17-year old boy who left Korea in 1951 returned to his country with an education, a beautiful wife, and a passion and vision for ministry.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor >> |
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The Central Baptist Church in the original building built in 1951.
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When Billy returned to Korea in 1959, he and Trudy began their ministry in Suwon. Evangelism, pastoral work and youth ministry highlighted Billy’s first year. There were only a dozen members when they began serving at Suwon Central Baptist Church in 1959 and now there are over 15,000.
In 1966, Dr. Billy Kim began Youth for Christ in Korea and trained many leaders. He raised $200,000 through an international tour to build a Christian Center for YFC where young people could study and have |
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fellowship. He established a Job Training School, Central Kindergarten, Christian Night School and Capital Baptist Seminary. In 1994, Central Christian Academy was built and in the years that followed, hundreds of children and their parents have become Christians because of the church’s concern for early education in Suwon. As a result of his assistance to the underprivileged, he was the recipient of the Lions Clubs International Humanitarian Award in July 2004.
Dr. Kim translated for Dr. Billy Graham during the 1973 Crusade. His interpretive skill was marked by speed, accuracy, and enthusiasm. Each night the crowd grew to a maximum attendance of 1.1 million. Thousands of people gave their lives to Christ through the crusade, which greatly contributed to church growth in Korea.
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May 28-June 1, 1973, Billy interpreted enthusiastically and quickly for Dr. Billy Graham at the Yoido Crusade in Seoul, Korea. |
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Far East Broadcasting Company acquired TEAM Mission's station
in 1975. |
In 1973, Dr. Billy Kim was installed as Director of the Far East Broadcasting Company in Korea. FEBC-Korea now has eight stations and has been faithfully preaching the gospel to many people. Research in 2004 ranked FEBC-Korea as top among religious broadcasters. |
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President Fidel Castro receives the Bible from Dr. Kim
(Photo by Jim Veneman) |
In 2000, Dr. Kim became the first Asian to be elected as President of the Baptist World Alliance. As BWA President, he has had the privilege of meeting many world leaders.
Continuing an active and broad international ministry he has been invited to many large Christian rallies all over the world and has become a famous speaker. His preaching opportunities include the Billy Graham Evangelists’ Conference in Amsterdam, a crusade in Nagaland, India; Promise Keeper’s Rallies in Anaheim, California and Atlanta, Georgia; a YFC rally in Moscow and many more. |
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Dr. Kim’s schedule is always packed with preaching and meetings. He is willing to go wherever the gospel is needed and meet with whoever needs his help.
More than 400 international delegates joined 500 Cuban pastors and Christian leaders in Havana, Cuba for the Baptist World Alliance General Council meeting where Dr. Kim was installed as the President. It was his privilege, along with selected conference delegates, to visit with Fidel Castro who was very grateful to receive the Spanish Bible, which Dr. Kim presented to him.
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In Melbourne, Australia, in January, 2000, Billy was nominated as President of the Baptist World Alliance. |
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