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The 10th Joseph Chung Scholarship Award Ceremony

On Saturday, January 22, 2022, Primacorp Ventures’ Philanthropy Division and the Coram Deo Foundation presented the 10th annual Joseph Chung Scholarship Awards. This year, notable dignitaries and educators from across the province and around the world joined together to award more than $890,000 to 342 young scholars from Canada, the United States, and Korea.

The scholarship established by Drs. Peter and Stephanie Chung in the memory of their son Joseph – who was diagnosed with autism and epilepsy—has three categories. It is meant to provide support to the post-secondary education of children of pastors and missionaries, siblings from families who have children with developmental and learning disabilities, and refugees from North Korea who are pursuing Theology degrees.

Presenters for the online event included Coram Deo COO Bill Blaney, who also delivered the opening prayer; Joseph’s siblings Samuel and Esther; Mr. Daniel Nam, Senior Legal Counsel for Vancouver Coastal Health; and Hon. Sandy Lee, a former MLA from the Northwest Territories. Several educators were also present to speak about the awards and to honour the recipients. Chairman Emeritus for SFU Michael Francis was present, along with Mark Husbands, President of Trinity Western University, and Dr. George Iwama, President of Quest University in Squamish. There were also performances by Days of Elijah and the Vancouver Zion Mission Children’s Choir.

One common thread among the speakers was that each expressed their desire that this would be the last time the event would be held online. All speakers shared the hope that it return next year as an in-person event so they may have the chance to meet with the recipients of the awards.

During the presentation the speakers were joined by past recipients Faith Park from UBC and Julia Roy from Trinity Western University. They shared how the Joseph Chung Scholarship supported their education and faith, and also how it would help the paths for the recipient class of 2022. The benediction was led by Pastor Shinil Park from Grace Hanin Community Church.

This was also the first year that the scholarship was presented to refugees from North Korea who have devoted themselves to theological education at institutes throughout South Korea. The presenter of the scholarship, Pastor Hyeonsoo Lim, honoured the students for what they have been through in their journey, and expressed a deep desire for them to once again return to North Korea and play an important role in achieving the vision of an evangelical unified homeland.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Peter Chung spoke of turning challenges into opportunities, and singled out the particular challenges faced by the refugees from North Korea. He also shared his belief in the importance of giving, and how his son always found ways to give through his warmth, his smiles, and his own devotion. Finally, he emphasized to the recipients of the award that it is important they find their own ways to give back with the opportunities granted to them.