|
|
|
|
Home > Praise and Thanks Volume I |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 39 - “Let us get married!”
When I was on my 3rd year as the superintendant of the Korean District, it was held in New Jersey. One of the churches there was looking for a new pastor. While I was going through the formalities of getting a new pastor, from that church two elders from that church who were representing the layman and I had a conversation. “What would you do after you finish your term as the superintendant of the Korean District?” I had said as the usual, do what needs to be done and after that, through God’s will and his plan. So I had no plans. I had said my simple path and they had one suggestion for me. They wanted me to help with the newly positioned senior pastor and help with the education of the members and leaders of the church.
My daughter was living in Northern New Jersey and had a job commute to New York. The elders suggested moving near my daughter’s place and helping the church. After I had finished my term I worked as an assistant pastor in New Jersey Dong San Church starting January of 2004. During the 3 years of staying at that church, I had helped the senior pastor David Yoon and consult with the elders. With the help of the staffs who cooperated greatly, it was a great blessing and happy times.
I had the time after every Saturday early morning service to have a short message to the church staffs. The staff meeting was in full of harmony with much laughter, and being able to have open minded expressions of suggestion was a great thing to see. The senior pastor had a passion for the growth of the church, so he had requested me to teach the members without almost any time to rest. So within 3 years I had gone through “Abundant Life”, “Abundant Light” and “Jesus’ Life Book1~6”. 13 people were able to complete the denomination’s approved Layperson Leadership Program. The class was split into Tuesday morning and Thursday evening classes. After the mid-terms and final terms I was surprised many, many times. Several people had scored perfectly which was nearly impossible. Some who had studied so diligently said, “If I had studied this hard I would’ve be able to pass the Bar test.” After all the class was over there was a great ceremony for the graduates. Several of the members who learned through the book taught others. I give thanks to the members and the senior pastor who was able to provide an environment that was great for studying and able to pass my knowledge freely.
During this time I was able to have at least 10 different seminars to equip members. “Old Testament Panorama”, “New Testament Panorama”, “Purpose Driven Life”, “The 7 Methods of Teaching”, “John Maxwell Leadership”, etc. were introduced and taught. Many of them published from the Timothy Bible Ministries. Everyone who had participated gathered with a passion and learned greatly. The senior pastor, David Yoon was the director of missionary work while I was the superintendent of the Korean District. He had a great passion unlike other for world mission. I had a great passion for this as well. The elders and the members of the church wanted to be the leading force in missionary in Korean District. I had helped the senior pastor who had such a great passion for mission movement. So the pastor wanted me to write a”Dong San Church Theme Song” I wrote the lyrics and famous composer GilSang Kwon wrote the music. In every small meetings or large meetings we sang this theme song.
In an immigrant church, many of the young adults would miss their time to get married because of studying abroad or busy work schedule. Even though they attended church and had small group meetings, they had difficulties in cell meetings, and were awkward during church fellowship. Pastor Yoon was feeling pity towards those young adults. He knew I had interest in helping young adults, and after discussions, decided to help. So during the spring out-door service, I had gathered few young adults and had meals with them, to get to know them better. Feeling it would be too early to suggest the start of young adult group, the young adults and I had chosen a restaurant to gather and chose a different date to meet again. After about 2 more meetings it was deiced to have a young adults group. Several of them who hadn’t attended church for while were also brought and soon there were 12 unmarried singles in the group. Ironically, it was 6 woman and man on each side. With them I had gone through “Abundant Life”, “Abundant Light” and also my book, “Blueprint for Christian Marriage”.
We met during 9 in the morning Sunday. It was a challenge for some of the young adults who slept in and a big challenge for them. It was the only time period available, since all the church facilities were available best at that time. There were several meetings outside the church to have meals and coffee as well. Deaconess HoSun Ahn was my co-worked in the bible study. She provided us delicious bread from a bakery to eat before the meeting. She always cared for the young adults like an older sister. Another co-worker was Deacon WooJin Han. I give thanks to both of them.
I called on attendance at 9 o’clock sharp so nearly everyone had gathered before that time. After prayers there was a slogan chanting then bible study. “Slogan chanting start! (leader) Hey!(everyone) Let’s get married! (Ladies first, raising right hand), Let’s get married! (Men raises right hand next,) Hey! (Everyone)…” After a sea of laughter the bible study was a great blessing. While I was leading the group, 3 couples had married. I know others got married after I had left. During Thanksgiving Week this young adult group won 2nd place in Cell group praise song competition. I give thanks to all the young adults who had gathered during this time to make a great group.
There is one more thing I am thankful of this church. In 2006 I was able to have my “Paul Lee lyrics, GilSan Kwon Compose 100 hymn publishing ceremony, the 6th “Thanks and Praise Night” was held there. Thanks to Deacon SukYoon Yun (church’s choir conductor at that time), I was able to have the New York’s MilAl Missionary Choir and with strings and horns to have a great “Thanks and Praise Night”. I give thanks to all the choir members who sang with great care, conductor and everyone who had helped in any way of form possible.
It was sad to depart but after 3 years I had left. I give sincere thanks to God that I had an opportunity to have a beautiful fellowship, and being the assistant pastor. I give also thanks again to all the members and the pastor, staffs, and the young adults.
(February 2011)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epilogue 
“Let us get married!”