The first annual Hangang River Harmony Walking Festival was held on October 27, 2024, at Misa Boat Race Park in Hanam City, South Korea. Organized by the Committee for the 120th Anniversary of Korean Adventist Missions and hosted by the Korea Walking Federation, the event was themed “Taking the First Steps Towards the 120-Year Era” to commemorate 120 years of Adventist missions in Korea. It emerged as the largest event associated with the anniversary.

The festival attracted more than 7,000 participants, including church members, spiritual seekers, and non-believing walking enthusiasts from both domestic and international locations, surpassing initial expectations. Registration commenced at 10 AM, welcoming individuals and representatives from 70 different churches and organizations. Each registrant received event giveaways, which included badges, lanyards, beverages, towels, and bags.

The walking routes included a 4.35-mile health walk from Junggo Plaza to Misa Riverside Park, a 5-mile barefoot walk to Hananamu Orphanage, and a 7.5-mile longevity walk through the Metasequoia Path and Misa Riverside Park. The event aimed to promote a balanced approach to well-being encompassing body, mind, and spirit among its participants.

“I exercise regularly, and at church, we also walk once a week as a group,” said Oh ChangJun and Ha YeongShin of Cheongnyangni Church. “But walking in such a special event feels even more rewarding today. It’s especially meaningful to walk together on this special occasion marking 120 years since the Adventist message first came to Korea.”

Compass missionary trainee Lee JuHye also shared, ‘It’s great to have the chance to walk and converse with family, friends, and colleagues, which we don’t often get to do in our busy lives.”

As many as 53 participants traveled 500 km from Jeju Island, wearing patches that read ‘Let’s Walk the Beautiful Jeju Together’ in the local dialect, and completed the walking event.

“We came to celebrate the 120th anniversary of Korean Adventist missions and support this first Harmony Walking Festival,” said Deaconesses Park SeonRan and Kang EunSuk. “We’re happy to be part of such a significant event for the Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church,” they said.

Foreign participants and people with disabilities also enjoyed the deepening autumn atmosphere. Nelly, a young Adventist from South Africa attending Cheongju New Heaven Church, was amazed, saying, "I saw the Pathfinder booth on the way, and it brought back childhood memories. It’s amazing to see people of all ages walking together. The Korean church is so exciting!" Nearly 10 foreign participants joined from this church alone.

Deacon Soon-hwan Park from Yeoju Central Church, who took on the course in his electric wheelchair, said joyfully, “Since this is a nationwide event where I could meet Adventists from all over the country, I wanted to participate. It gives me a strong sense of belonging and pride. It’s been a wonderful day.”

Meanwhile, this event was jointly sponsored by the ECKC, WCKC, SEKC, MWCK, SWKC, and Jeju Conference, as well as Sahmyook University, Sahmyook Health University, Sahmyook Medical Center, Sahmyook Food, Sahmyook NatureSeven, Sahmyook Natural Food, SDA Education, Korean Publishing House, Sahmyook Welfare Foundation, and ADRA Korea.

The Korea Walking Federation plans to hold this event again next year and make it a regular event.

The original article was published on the Northern Asia-Pacific Division website.