In Memoriam: Kang Eui Hong (Kim), 1918-2010

Top Image: Left: Rev. Joshua Cotter, Executive Vice-President of the Unification Church-USA, gave a tribute on behalf of our national church. Right: Rev. and Mrs. Moon’s handwritten calligraphy which reads “Mrs. Kang, Eui- Hong who served God with vast amount of love, we offer our congratulations to Sa-Mo Nim’s victory.

After a long battle with illness, Mrs. Kang Eui Hong, better known as Grandma Kim, transitioned into the spiritual world at 1:50 a.m. on December 18, 2010.

Born in 1918, Grandma Kim had led a long and fruitful life which was replete with challenges and victories. Born in Pyongyang to parents who were Korean patriots, she was deeply influenced by Christianity and met her future husband, Mr. Sang Chul (David) Kim, while studying at a Christian school. Mrs. Kim is survived by her husband, one daughter, four sons and, at the time of her passing, 10 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

Mrs. Kim and her husband were early followers of True Parents, prior to there even being a Unification Church. In fact, David Kim was one of the charter members of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (HSA-UWC) in 1954. They also participated in the historic 36-couples marriage blessing at Cheongpadong Church in 1960. At the time of the marriage blessing, David Kim already was serving as a missionary in the United States (having arrived in Portland, Oregon in 1959) and Mrs. Kim was raising their five children in his absence, but she later joined him in his mission.

National Level Seung Hwa

When True Father heard about the passing of Kang Eui Hong, he wrote a page of calligraphy for her and asked that a National-Level Seunghwa be conducted in the United States and that her body be buried at the Won Jon Holy Ground in Korea. The Seunghwa was a magnificent and holy event, truly touched by God’s divine spirit. The outpouring of love from around the world was deeply touching. All morning long flowers arrived until the stage was completely awash in displays. Flowers from True Children and each of the Continental Directors as well as businesses and church departments and individuals made quite an impressive scene.

Rev. Kevin Thompson, Northern California District Director, brought the proceedings to order with prayer and a congregational song. Pastor Thompson then read the impressive biography

of the life of Grandma Kim before showing a slide show of some of the highlights of her life through pictures, giving everyone a vivid imprint of the progression of her life.

Rev. Joshua Cotter, Executive Vice-President of the Unification Church-USA, gave a tribute on behalf of our national church. Rev Cotter began by reading a heartfelt letter to Grandma Kim’s family from Rev. In Jin Moon, daughter of True Parents and President and CEO of HSA-UWC in the United States, congratulating Mrs. Kim for a long and victorious life of faith, dedication and sincerity while offering condolences to the family. He also offered sincere greetings from Dr. Chang Shik Yang, Unification Church Continental Director. Rev Cotter then gave the Seunghwa address, in which he eloquently spoke of the great love which Grandma Kim had shown to so many and that her absolute loyalty to God and True Parents assure her of a special place in God’s heart.

Mrs. Kim’s youngest son, Joon Su (James) Kim then came forward and read a beautiful letter from Mr. David S.C. Kim who was at home in New York and not able to travel. In the letter David Kim poured out his love to Mrs. Kim and thanked her for being such a wonderful wife and mother for 70 years. It was a deep and heartfelt love letter and the reading of it brought many tears from the reader and the audience.

Grandson Frank Kim then read a letter from Dr. Bo Hi Pak, a fellow missionary to the United States, sent from Korea. A letter from the American Clergy Leadership Conference was then read, after which elder son Sung Soo Kim (a participant in the 430-Couple marriage blessing) stepped forward to share a tribute from the family. Following his remarks, the family, friends and members of the audience came forward one-by-one to lay flowers for Grandma Kim and to offer their farewells. Finally, Rev. Kwang Min Kim of the Korean Evangelical Association in San Francisco offered a tearful benediction before Mrs. Kim’s casket was carried out. A reception was held upstairs in the fellowship hall and beautiful stories and memories shared of the life and influence of a woman of faith and love.

Reported by Pastor Kevin Thompson, director of the Bay Area Family Church, Northern California.