Taejon Christian International School (TCIS) marked its 50th founding anniversary in 2008 with a series of international events that culminated in a Homecoming Weekend Celebration this October. It's such a privilege to be part of the school at this time, learning of the beginnings of this missionary school and reflecting on how it has grown over the past half century.One of my favorite events was the late afternoon and evening dinner celebration held outdoors on the TCIS campus. Meeting alumni from the 1950s and 1960s and celebrating with some of the existing staff who used to be students here (decades ago) added a personal touch to the event.
TCIS traces its beginnings to 1958 when U.S. missionaries serving south of Seoul founded the school in the centrally located city of Daejeon. This was a time when only a few foreigners lived in this country devastated by the Korean War. Over the past half-century, the school evolved into a professional international school serving over 600 students within a Christian environment. As of today, TCIS is Korea's only international school offering dorm residence and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at all three levels of elementary, middle and high school years.
From its inception, TCIS (formerly known as Korean Christian Academy) has resided on the same property -- once in the outskirts of the town among rice fields and now in the heart of a bustling downtown neighborhood. If you're interested in what the campus looks like today, take a glimpse at my post of August 2007.
Even though I have only been here for the past two years, I get a strong sense of TCIS history by simply walking the halls in the original buildings. In fact, my office was once a high school classroom and I found a picture of students sitting at desks exactly where I am sitting today!
I agree with our Headmaster when he said, We take pride and are honored to have been a part of the early missionary movement in South Korea that assisted with providing medical and educational services to Korea in a time so desperate for the nation. We continue to be passionate about our role in assisting with the internationalization and globalization of Daejeon and Korea as we enter the 21st century.
In this 50th year I was asked to be part of the Master Plan Committee to help draw up plans for our new campus. For me this is exciting and difficult at the same time -- having opportunity to plan new facilities 'from scratch' yet knowing we will be leaving the existing campus behind to be demolished and taken over by the University next door. Yet God has made it clear this is the direction the school should go so we move ahead in confidence!
TCIS took up the challenge to shine bright this past 50 years. I now join in the litany of prayers that God will increase the role He has for TCIS in helping direct its students to engage in loving living relationships with Christ while they are here studying.
