During the World Cup, over 10,000 church members in 10 cities participated in the environmental campaign held by the Whole Assembly. They distributed environmental brochures to 300,000 citizens. There were many episodes. Let's hear from some participants.


[Interview I] "Citizens' response was great."- Interview with Pastor Park Jin-hee

ⓒ 2002 WATV

Tell us the most impressive episode.
"On June 13, I visited Sangam Stadium where the game between Turkey and China was held. I was offering brochures to citizens, saying, 'Let's bring back trash.' Two foreigners came to me and asked me to explain the brochure in English, looking into it. It's because they saw the word, 'Green World Cup.' They were the reporters from Turkey and CNN. They called their fellows and encouraged us and took a picture of us together with their fellows."

How about the citizens' response?
"It was very favorable. On that day, I distributed about 20,000 brochures to the people, together with 200 volunteers. I looked around the stadium, for fear they might drop the brochures, but only 3 of 20,000 brochures were thrown."

Sister Song who belonged to the church in Gwanak said that she was moved when about 20 members of other environmental group came to her and took the brochures, giving good words to her and her company. She said, "All around were the people reading the brochures. I was really happy."

A man, shaking the brochure with smile, promised he would read it to his children.
Even women with babies on their back put the brochures in their bags. And the Chineses responded very favorably.

One member analyzed the cause of citizen's good response, saying, "Picking up trash, we distributed the brochures. Because we ourselves showed a good example, they were moved." Actually, our voluntariness and kindness moved the citizens.

The following is a interview with Pastor Pyo in Busan, one of the cities where citizens responded favorably.


[Interview II] Interview with Pastor Pyo Gi-sang

ⓒ 2002 WATV

What was the most impressive thing?
"People who received the brochures took them all. No one dropped them. Even the members of other religious bodies came to receive the brochures, saying it was a fresh idea."

Why do you think citizens responded so favorably?
"Above all, the heat of the World Cup was high. That's why the word "Green World Cup" in the brochure attracted people's attention. Foreigners seemed to regard the brochure as a souvenir. In Busan, we distributed volume-rate garbage disposal bags, too, which increased their participation."

Tell me an interesting episode.
"While picking up trash, I met Dongrae ward officials. They expressed their gratitude, saying, 'Actually we, the ward officials, are responsible for this.' They took away garbage we collected by their cars."

Pastor Pyo finished the interview, saying, "These environmental campaigns during the World Cup became a good experience. At the coming Busan Asian Games, too, all the church members in Busan will participate positively in social activities as believers."