“Sahmyook University itself is not our ultimate dream. Sahmyook [University] is a channel of blessing through which God’s dream can be fulfilled.”
Erton Köhler, General Conference president, emphasized the importance of remembering the fundamental purpose of universities, churches, and institutions during Sahmyook University’s 120th anniversary celebration. He urged the university community not to make the preservation of organizations and systems an end in itself, but to recover and carry forward the original vision and mission embraced by missionaries 120 years ago.
Sahmyook University held a special joint worship service celebrating its 120th anniversary on October 24, at the university’s Mission 70th Anniversary Memorial Hall in Seoul, South Korea. The service brought together Köhler and his wife, presidents and representatives of other Adventist universities, descendants of early pioneers, members of Sahmyook University Church and its six affiliated churches, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Köhler delivered a sermon titled “Don’t Forget Your Dream,” with interpretation provided by Sohn IlDo, Youth Ministries director of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division.
Drawing from Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2, Köhler explained how a vision given by God can be forgotten and restored. Through the account of the Babylonian king who could not remember his dream despite ruling the most powerful empire of his time, Köhler emphasized that God, rather than human power or resources, is ultimately in control of history.
“Can God’s people forget the dream God has given them? Can leaders of faith, institutions, and organizations forget God’s dream?” Köhler asked. “We, too, can forget God’s dream.”
He warned that the original mission can gradually fade amid the pressures of daily responsibilities, administrative work, and organizational management.
“We do not necessarily forget our dream because of some great failure,” he said. “We may forget the dream God has given us simply because we are busy handling administrative responsibilities and taking care of many other things.”
Köhler connected his message to Sahmyook University’s 120-year history. He recalled how William R. Smith and Mimi Scharffenberg established Uimyung School in Sunan, located in present-day North Korea, in 1906 with just 11 students. He noted that the school’s original purpose was to prepare workers to spread the gospel.
“The early missionaries were not simply trying to establish another school,” he said. “They wanted to transform lives and prepare workers who would carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. Adventist education has always been mission-oriented.”
Köhler also recognized the university’s contributions over the past 120 years in educating pastors, nurses, healthcare professionals, and graduates in various fields who have dedicated themselves to mission and service in Korea and around the world.
Reflecting on the challenges the institution had overcome, including Japanese colonial rule, war, financial difficulties, and campus relocations, he emphasized the importance of remaining faithful to God’s mission even in times of crisis.
Köhler also referred to remarks made the previous day by Sahmyook University president Je HaeJong during the university’s 120th anniversary ceremony. Je had reaffirmed the university’s commitment to remaining a mission-oriented institution that prepares workers for God’s service.
Köhler described this commitment as evidence that Sahmyook University had not forgotten its original dream and encouraged the institution to further strengthen the values of Adventist education and its mission.
Toward the conclusion of his sermon, Köhler posed two questions to the congregation.
“Can God trust you? Can God count on you to keep the dream He has given you alive?”
He then led the congregation in prayer, asking God to help the university’s leaders, faculty, staff, and students remain faithful to the missionary vision the institution was founded on.
“We must remember the footsteps of the missionaries who dedicated themselves here 120 years ago,” Köhler concluded. “But even more important is that today, 120 years later, we must never let go of the dream God has entrusted to us.”
The original article was published on the Northern Asia-Pacific Division news site.
