A U.S.-based Christian men’s discipleship movement will launch its first conference in South Korea on Oct. 9, introducing an approach to ministry its organizers believe is crucial for the health of churches, families and society.
The event, hosted by Man in the Mirror (MIM) Korea, will be held at Youngnak Presbyterian Church in central Seoul. It will feature sessions on the current state of men’s ministry, strategies for discipleship, and successful case studies from Asia.
Speakers will include Rev. Lee Byung-il, director of MIM Korea; Brett Clemmer, president of MIM in the United States; Prof. Jeon Byung-cheol of ACTS University; and Robert Lim, director of MIM Asia.
A ministry for men at home, in church and in society
Founded in Florida in 1986 by businessman Patrick Morley, Man in the Mirror grew out of his book of the same title, which laid out 24 biblical challenges for Christian men. Since then, the ministry has focused on helping men confront spiritual, relational and practical issues through small-group discipleship.
MIM Korea leaders say their goal is to see men in the church grow into authentic disciples of Christ and to live out that faith consistently at home, in their congregations and in broader society. The Korean branch was formed to adapt this model to the context of Korean churches.
Rev. Lee told Christian Daily Korea that he has witnessed many men struggling to reconcile their faith with the pressures of modern culture. “If men do not find their God-given place in the home, church, and society, a great void will inevitably emerge in the future of the next generation and the Korean church,” he said.
He noted that although men make up the majority of pastors and elders in Korean churches, intentional ministry to men has rarely been emphasized. “The Korean church has not recognized the importance of men’s ministry. Many leaders not only underestimate it but do not even know what it is,” he said.
Addressing gaps in discipleship
According to MIM Korea, the upcoming conference is designed to draw attention to these gaps and to provide churches with practical tools.
Lee explained that the conference will begin by reviewing the current state of men’s discipleship in Korea and examining global trends. Attendees will hear about how men’s ministry has impacted churches and communities in the United States and Southeast Asia. The program will also share research on discipleship strategies specifically tailored to the Korean church.
The sessions will conclude with a panel discussion and Q&A involving Clemmer, Jeon, Lim and Lee, giving pastors and church leaders the chance to ask about implementation.
Lee said he hopes the event will serve as a catalyst for broader change. “This is not just an event,” he said. “When individual men are changed, families are revived, churches are renewed, and strength is given to serve the nation and the world.”
Restoring the father’s role in the home
One of the key themes emphasized by MIM Korea staff is the role of fathers as spiritual leaders in the home. Elder Kim Sung-il, a staff member with MIM Korea, said the ministry has challenged him personally and opened his eyes to the generational impact of a father’s example.
“The reason children are drifting away from the gospel is that they cannot see a gospel-centered life modeled by their fathers,” Kim said. “Many men are living double lives, showing one face at church and another at home.”
Kim added that transformation in the church cannot be separated from transformation in families. “Because fathers are not firmly established as priests of their families, households are not transformed, and so society also remains unchanged,” he said. “When a father stands as priest in the home, the entire family will naturally stand as devoted members in the church.”
Small groups as a foundation
Central to MIM’s approach is the use of small groups that encourage honest reflection and accountability. One of its primary resources is My Journey, a discipleship curriculum recently translated into Korean.
Written by Morley, the study covers both spiritual disciplines—such as prayer, worship and Bible study—and practical life issues, including marriage, parenting, friendship, finances, fear, anger and temptation. The material is designed to help men examine their lives in the light of Scripture and encourage one another toward growth.
Lee said the curriculum will be introduced at the conference so that pastors and church leaders can see how it might be applied in their own congregations. “Attendees will learn how to practically apply men’s ministry in their churches,” he said.
A long-term vision
The organizers hope the conference will not only raise awareness but also inspire churches to take concrete steps in launching men’s discipleship ministries. Lee said MIM Korea is prepared to provide follow-up support through ministry teams that can assist congregations in training male leaders.
“Our mission is to continue until every man in the church becomes a true disciple of Christ,” Lee told Christian Daily Korea. “When middle-level leaders are truly discipled, Korea’s Christian environment will change.”
He stressed that the vision is not limited to personal growth but has broader implications for society. “When men are established to serve as salt and light in families, churches, and society, all Christians will rediscover their God-given identity and faithfully fulfill their roles,” he said.
A pioneering effort in Korea
Although books on men’s ministry have been introduced in Korea, this will be the first time that the concept is presented in a structured and practical way through a nationwide conference. Lee acknowledged that the topic is still unfamiliar to many church leaders.
“It is still an undeveloped field,” he said. “But I want to open leaders’ eyes to its importance. We believe this is a breakthrough opportunity to introduce small-group men’s discipleship to the Korean church.”
The Oct. 9 conference will be held from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Grace Hall in Youngnak Presbyterian Church, one of Seoul’s largest and most historic congregations. Organizers say they expect pastors, elders and lay leaders from across the country to attend.
For Lee, the stakes are high. “If men do not take their rightful place as spiritual leaders, the church and the next generation will face a void,” he said. “But if they are discipled and restored, the church will not only be strengthened but will have a renewed power to serve society and the nations.”
