A Reflection Thought-Piece by Ryoung Kim, Director of AroSoop
Greetings from Korea. It’s hard to believe that seven months have already passed since the Global Christian Creation Forum (GCCF) took place here. The memories remain vivid. In the Korean Invitation, we reaffirmed the church’s role in the age of climate crisis and emphasized the need to include “Creation Care” as a formal subject in theological education. As a practical response, a unique collaboration emerged between Asia United Theological University (Asian Center for Theological Studies and Mission, ACTS) and AroSoop, a Christian ecological conservation network.
AroSoop was established in the wake of GCCF as a Christian ecological movement rooted in permaculture, dedicated to the stewardship of God’s creation. As the organization’s founder and the operator of an ecological farm, I have often said, “Caring for creation is not optional—it’s an expression of a redeemed life.” I believe this is not merely an environmental cause, but a holistic discipleship that connects belief and daily practice.
One of AroSoop’s founding members, Professor Myungseok Lee (Practical Theology), shared our vision and launched a new course titled Creation Care and Ethics in the postgraduate program for international students at ACTS, using Dr. Dave Bookless’s book Planetwise as the primary textbook, beginning in the spring semester of 2025. On April 9, he brought his students to visit my farm, where they toured the ecological farming site and joined in some light farm work alongside peers from India and Pakistan. It was a hands-on opportunity to experience ecological theology and Creation Care in practice.
I served as a guest lecturer that day, sharing my personal journey toward creation stewardship and presenting a holistic vision that integrates ecological agriculture, faith, community, and mission. We reflected together on God’s purpose for land and life.
Though the session felt somewhat unstructured, I hoped it would offer students a glimpse into what Creation Care can look like in real life. Later, as I read their reflection papers, I felt assured that the session had been a meaningful beginning. One student wrote, “Hearing that soil is not just crushed rock, but a living organism, completely changed how I see the world.” Another shared, “Learning about permaculture gave me confidence that even small spaces can be used to practice ecological care.” Their insights also helped me better understand my own role and calling as a servant-leader.
This experience offered international theology students in Korea a concrete vision of how faith and the environment are connected, and how they might integrate Creation Care into their future ministries. One student remarked, “Even in our communities, we could create small gardens or partner with local farms to practice Creation Care.” Many began imagining how these ideas could be applied in their churches and mission fields back home.
This collaboration between AroSoop and the seminary is not just about raising ecological awareness in the Korean church. It also shows the potential for building a platform to equip the next generation of Christian leaders—those who will serve around the world—to embrace and share the values of Creation Care. I am grateful to present this initiative as a concrete example of the GCCF declaration moving from words to action in education and practice.
Student Reflections on Ryoung Kim’s Ecological Farming (Summarized by AI)
- The Power of Hands-On Learning
Visiting the organic farm provided a tangible experience of ecological ethics and creation care, helping us internalize what we had learned in the classroom. (Kozou) - Engaging the Senses
The sounds of running water, bird songs, and the scent of plants deepened our appreciation for the beauty and value of the natural environment. (Kozou, Esther) - Integrating Faith and Farming
Ryoung Kim’s farming is not just a livelihood—it’s an act of faith and mission, which challenged and reshaped our understanding of agriculture. (Kozou, Esther) - Permaculture and Community-Based Farming
Permaculture offers a sustainable and community-centered approach to farming, one that could be practiced even in church or campus settings. (Esther) - A New Perspective on Weeds
Ryoung Kim explained that what might appear as weeds are often planted intentionally to support the soil’s respiration and biodiversity. This challenged our conventional views. (Joshua)
(There may have been a misunderstanding—I think my sowing of wheat for compost was mistaken for planting weeds…) - Working with Nature, Not Against It
Avoiding plastic greenhouses and letting the land rest during winter reflects a farming practice in harmony with natural rhythms, conserving resources and honoring creation. (Joshua) - The Possibilities of Small Gardens
Even in a busy life, it is possible to grow food and practice ecological awareness in small spaces at home. (Joshua) - Simple Technology Guided by Faith
Kim uses basic technologies like gravity-fed irrigation and water temperature control to support ecological farming, all rooted in faith and intention. (Common to all students) - Organic Farming Amid Social and Mental Crisis
We learned that the marginalization of organic farming and the struggles of farmers reflect deeper social and psychological crises—not just economic issues. (Kozou, Esther) - Soil Is Alive
“The soil is not just dust—it’s alive.” This statement profoundly shifted how we understand our relationship with nature and challenged us to rethink our view of soil, farming, and the environment. (Joshua, Esther)
