Korean L'Abri: A Vibrant Christian Community in Gangwon-do

While living in South Korea, Josh and I have made it a priority to see the country and engage the culture as much as possible. During Chuseok, the Korean equivalent to North American Thanksgiving, we had five days off. We took this time to travel to the beautiful Gangwon Province and visit Yangyang, a small town nestled in the Taebaek mountains, home of Korean L'Abri.

I am somewhat of a L'Abri junkie and this will be the fourth L'Abri I have visited along with the Swiss, the Dutch, and the Canadian branches. Josh has also become fond of the L'Abri community and is well on his way to sharing this healthy addiction with me. We have a special place in our hearts for this community because we were married at Canadian L'Abri on Bowen Island in 2011.

To give a bit of background, L'Abri is an open-minded Christian Community that was founded by Francis and Edith Schaeffer. It began in the 1950's in a small village in the Swiss Alps and L'Abris have sprung up all over the globe since that time. A person from any belief system or background is welcome to come, study, discuss, and grapple with the basic and important questions of life. The community's primary function is to engage and discuss rather than convert.

While studying and living at L'Abri, students and L'Abri workers eat meals, do chores, watch movies, and live together in a very familial way. There is also plenty of time to study in the quiet environment that is provided and also enough free time to spend time in nature, bond with fellow students, play music, and be creative. Students who study at L'Abri for a week or more are assigned a tutor who they can discuss their studies with and any philosophical, religious, or personal questions that may arise.

The cedar treehouse: A great place 

to study, pray, and meditate.

A beautiful study area 

The Musician

L'Abri is by far the best Christian community I have experienced. This community is hospitable and welcoming rather than exclusive and condemning. While studying at L'Abri Christians are encouraged to engage culture and understand it in an honest way rather than hide from it. I really enjoy spending time at L'Abri because I have found the communities to be open and the people who visit to be very thoughtful and engaging.

Our 3 day stay was rejuvenating. The building and people were very welcoming. We enjoyed many delicious meals and interesting conversations over the Chuseok holiday. We were treated with the utmost consideration regarding, and in spite of, the language barrier. We were very fortunate to be surrounded by Koreans who spoke English and when Korean discussions did take place, someone always translated.

For anyone who has visited L'Abri before I would highly recommend Korean L'Abri as a place to go and enjoy a very Korean version of the community. It is also a great place to visit for anyone interested in exploring the Christian faith. And, to all those Christian ex-pats who have had difficulty finding a church or Christian community in South Korea - this is fantastic place to go for rejuvenation and Christian community. 


Further Reading: Here is a short video we made describing Korean L'Abri. Enjoy.