History & Spirit

Our Legacy of Faith and Core Spiritual Ethos

Our Inner Drive

JDM's Spirit

The core values and spiritual ethos that guide every JDM leader, member, and missionary in their daily walk and service.

1. An Ardent Zeal Towards God

Paul, who was the excellent missionary in Christian history, always eagerly expected and hoped that Christ will be exalted. Zinzendorf, the leader of the Moravian Church, confessed:

"I have one passion; it is He, and He alone."

The most precious person to Christians is Christ alone, and the person who is fully stated in the whole personality of disciples is also Christ. Like other members of JDM have had, you are to be filled with an ardent zeal towards God.

Philippians 1:20
2. Readiness for Suffering

If the modern church has lost something, it must surely be the Gospel of the cross and an emphasis on suffering. Can we imagine Christianity without the cross? Nevertheless, "cheap grace" is rampant. The consistent message of the Bible is that we should live with Jesus in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, because God's grace has been granted to us on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for Him.

2 Timothy 1:8, Philippians 1:29, Colossians 1:24
3. Oneness with Other Christians

In the history of Christianity, much discussion has happened about Christian community. But community is not a historical product but a biblical product. Our Lord already has proclaimed that we all are one, and the Bible commands us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit. JDM is biblical and pioneering because we have regarded Christian community as one of our important characteristics since JDM was established. We work with other mission organizations and local churches.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Ephesians 4:3
4. Serving Heart

There exist two types of leadership in history: the ruling monarch type and the serving shepherd type. Jesus declared that He had come to the world to serve and save us. Likewise, Christ's disciples should live the same as our Lord. Biblical leaders lead the people by serving and serve them by leading. We are to serve others as their servants without being famous or arrogant.

Mark 10:45
5. Jesus Christ's Mind & Attitude

JDM's spirit is Jesus' spirit. The Bible emphasizes that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. It teaches that Jesus' mind is characterized with gentleness and humility. His true disciples do not just intellectually understand Jesus' mind and attitude, but practice them with their actions.

Philippians 2:5, Matthew 11:29
Our Journey

Historical Timeline

Key highlights and milestones of Jesus Disciple Movement since its inception in 1977.

  • 77
    December 3, 1977

    JDM starts in South Korea. Seven young pioneers—Yoon Tae Ho, Yoon Sil Gwon, Nam Gung Ok, Yoo Hyun Sin, Lee Byung Ae, Kim So Jung, Lee Hye Sook—begin fellowship with God through His Word and prayer.

  • 78
    February 1978

    Began supporting O-An Church, and later Chun-Sung, Sammach, and Key-Sung churches. Established a core value of cooperating and supporting local churches in need.

  • 78
    March 10, 1978

    During JDM's first overnight retreat, the name "JESUS DISCIPLE MOVEMENT" is formally chosen.

  • 78
    1978 - 1999 (Literature Ministry)

    Literature ministry launched: The New Life (Dec 1978), The Fishers (Apr 1981), and The People of Jesus (Apr 1990). The Shepherd & Disciple Publisher registered (Dec 1993) and Golbang Malssum QT guide launched (Apr 1999).

  • 12
    National Expansion (12 Districts)

    JDM expands across Korea creating 12 Districts: Chun-Cheon(1977), Seoul(1979), Won-Ju(1985), Dae-Juen(1986), Kang-Leung(1987), Kyung-Nam(1991), Pu-San(1993), Dae-Gu(1995), Kwang-Ju(1998), Su-Won(1998), In-Chun(1999), and Chun-An(2001).

  • 03
    February 2003 Ministers

    Ministers grow to 86 staff in Korea headquarter/districts, and 15 full-time ministers in 9 other countries globally.

  • 16
    Governance

    Strengthened JDM structure by establishing 16 boards across various branches and institutes by 2003.

  • 89
    World Mission Starts

    Began supporting missionaries in 1987. Sent Kim Gum-Chan and Kim Mi-Ja to Ecuador in 1989. By February 2003, JDM fielded 30 long-term and 12 short-term missionaries in 14 countries.

  • 84
    Campus Outreach Growth

    Campus ministry started at Kang-Won National University in 1984, expanding to over 60 universities in Korea and subsequently spreading across campuses worldwide.

  • 91
    KDTI & Timothy Training School

    Inaugurated Korea Disciple Training Institute (KDTI) in 1991 for staff training. Raised the Timothy Training Course (TTC, est 1988) to school status in 1997, naming it Timothy Training School (TTS).

  • 98
    IMTI & World Disciple Training Institute

    Inaugurated International Missionary Training Institute (IMTI) in 1998, with the World Disciple Training Institute (WDTI) opening in 2004.