South Korea's total fertility rate saw a slight increase to 0.95 in the first quarter of this year, yet it remains the lowest in the world. In response, Yoido Full Gospel Church is enhancing its support to combat the low birthrate.
On July 11, coinciding with World Population Day, the church announced various campaigns aimed at addressing the low birthrate.
The initiatives include conducting surveys on perceptions of childbirth and parenting, holding a slogan contest for overcoming low birthrates, implementing policies for childbirth incentives, and presenting awards and encouragement funds to multi-child families.
Senior Pastor Lee Yong-hoon has consistently emphasized that "valuing life and nurturing the next generation is the most important mission for the Kingdom of God," advocating for families to have at least three children, with five being encouraged. He has focused not only on financial support but also on fostering a culture within the church that celebrates childbirth and parenting.
On July 12, during Sunday service, the church will present awards and encouragement funds to 42 families with five or more children. Families with five children will receive 700,000 won, while those with six or more will receive 1 million won, totaling 33.3 million won in support. Starting next year, the church plans to expand support to families with four children.
The church also released findings from its own survey on perceptions of childbirth and parenting. The 'church-specific total fertility rate' among female congregants aged 15 to 49 was calculated at 1.86. The average desired number of children was 2.32, indicating that economic burdens and parenting environments are significant barriers to actual childbirth rates.
Additionally, the church held a slogan contest to promote overcoming low birthrates, selecting the slogan 'More than one, many (多) children bring many (多) blessings / More children, more joy, let's share parenting together' as the winner. The winner, Seoyeon Seo, expressed her hope that children would become a strong foundation for leading the next generation, stating, "Children are the strength that supports society."
Pastor Lee Yong-hoon remarked on this series of initiatives, saying, "Valuing life and nurturing the next generation is the most important mission for the Kingdom of God," and expressed hope that a culture where childbirth and parenting are seen as blessings will spread further within the church.
The church plans to continue expanding childbirth incentive support, enhancing programs for infant care, parent education, and special support for multi-child families, and establishing a shared parenting network.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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