By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Billy Kim, the president of the Far East Broadcast Company (FEBC), a radio-based religious broadcast company, received the Ambassador for Christ and Baptist Statesman Award Tuesday. The award was given by the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee at the 151st annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention held at Indianapolis.
73-year-old Kim was given the award for his devotion to the Baptist community as president of the Baptist World Alliance in 2000 and the missionary work and spiritual aid he has given to the world.
``I want to say thank you for all the Baptists around the world who are struggling to survive in some of the most difficult countries in the world,'' he said during the acceptance speech.
Kim was also praised for his efforts in leading the FEBC to touch the homes and hearts of those who are suffering from disaster and poverty.
FEBC has been spreading gospel throughout Southeast Asia, including North Korea, China, Russia and Mongolia. The radio broadcast also reports deadly situations at earthquake and disaster sites by distributing independent electric powered radios.
Kim went to the U.S during the Korean War and received his bachelor and master's degrees from Bob Jones University, a religious school, in Greenville, South Carolina. He served as a pastor at the Central Baptist Church in Suwon from 1960 to 2004 and has been president of the FEBC since 1977.