EMS Sunday 2026: Ambassadors of Hope

EMS Sunday is a special opportunity for all member churches and organisations of EMS to come together in worship, united by a common theme and spirit of fellowship. 

EMS Sunday commemorates the founding of EMS on 16 September 1972, a milestone that continues to shape our mission and shared journey of faith today. In 2026 it takes place on or around Sunday, 20 September. 

This year’s theme, “Ambassadors of Hope,” invites us to reflect on our shared calling to bear witness to God’s hope in a world longing for healing, justice, and reconciliation. Across diverse contexts and cultures, we are united in proclaiming and embodying this hope. 

Our member churches in Korea – the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) have contributed rich liturgical resources and ideas to the 2026 EMS Sunday.

Greetings from Korea

“In a world deeply wounded by division, economic hardship, and ecological grief, we refuse to simply endure or maintain the status quo. Instead, the PCK and EMS are called to boldly cultivate a world where every creature and every community can truly thrive in God's abundant grace,” says Sangdo Choi, PCK General Secretary. “We are Ambassadors of Hope!”

Liturgy

For this year’s EMS Sunday celebration, we offer a liturgy inspired by the rich worship traditions of our member churches in Korea – the Presbyterian Church in Korea (PCK) and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). Receive it as a gift and adapt it to your local context, language, and worship life.

Hymn and Song Suggestions

EMS-Song

PCK band performing the EMS Song as written for the EMS Jubilee 2022.

Offerings

The Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) makes hope tangible. Across our member churches in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, dedicated people reach out with compassion to those whose lives have been shaken by poverty, illness, disability, or war. 

Here are a few glimpses of that hope in action: 

• At the daycare centre of the Toraja Church in Indonesia, Anna Riana Arief—herself deaf—walks alongside children with disabilities. With patience and warmth, she helps them discover their strengths, build confidence, and believe in a future they can shape with their own hands.
• In Mokpo, South Korea, Diakonia sisters visit elderly people who live in deep poverty and isolation. They bring food, medicine, and, above all, human connection. Through scholarships, they also open doors to education for the grandchildren growing up in these fragile circumstances.
• In Lebanon, the National Evangelical Church of Beirut stands with displaced families who have been forced to flee their homes. With vouchers, shelter, and safe spaces for children, they offer not only practical support but also comfort and dignity to those who have lost so much. Amid uncertainty, this care becomes a source of strength and healing.
• You can find an overview of all the projects currently supported by the EMS fellowship here: Donations for Education, Health & Peace – Support Church Projects Worldwide. 

Hope grows whenever people share, care, and stand together. With your offering and your donation, you become part of this chain of solidarity – helping to bring light, courage, and real hope into the lives of others. 

For your EMS Sunday offering, select a project in your country supported by the EMS fellowship. Please inform your local church office of the amount collected.

About PCK and PROK

In South Korea, more than a quarter of the population belongs to a Christian church, with approximately 19 percent identifying as Protestant. This proportion is higher than in any other country in Asia. 

The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) is one of the smaller denominations in the country. It has around 340,000 members, organized into about 1,450 congregations, and is served by approximately 1,900 pastors and more than 2,800 elders. 

Key elements of PROK’s identity include a strong commitment to human rights, democratization, social justice, peace, and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. These priorities are deeply rooted in the church’s historical engagement during the periods of military dictatorship in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, PROK also addresses issues such as ecology and sustainable development. 

The Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK), by contrast, is one of the largest churches in the country. It comprises around 6,300 congregations, more than 2.2 million members, and approximately 8,600 pastors. 

The PCK integrates a broad range of priorities. Evangelization and global mission are central to its work, with about 1,000 missionaries currently serving in 82 countries. The church also emphasizes care for creation, advocating for environmentally responsible and sustainable lifestyles, while remaining committed to peace and the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.