|
The Mercy of God Is an Ocean Divine
|
|
|
|
Chapter 26 - The Mercy of God Is an Ocean Divine
On my desk that I use currently and from my previous office I have a memorial plaque the YBA (Youth Born Again Mission) gave as a dispatch honor. On the front has the Youth Born Again logo and on the backside has the signatures of the members. The memorial plaque is made out of plastic. Next to it is the picture of the YBA’s first summer retreat “Dedication Night” during the camp fire when I burned the “Follow Me” sign which burned behind the campfire.
Originally I was going to leave the country on February of 1980, but a sister in Christ named SungNam Cho (now an elder) wanted me to attend her wedding which was held in March. So I had delayed a whole month and came to United States through the Kimpo Airport on March 23. I give thanks to all the members of the YBA and all the committee members. Not because they only love Christ but also had made the group feel family like with love and care for each other in the members. They visited veteran hospitals, and visited the KyungHee University Department of Medical School and had an evangelical rally at the auditorium and had summer and fall retreats. Also they had many members who had sacrificed their time to evangelize and save souls. This mission group’s main goal was to strengthen and equip each member’s to mature in their walk with Christ.
YBA’s goals were the following:
We had these goals, creeds, guidelines and evangelism rules, as well as guidelines in growing in Christ and others. But let’s talk about the main goals.
1. Evangelism
Evangelize but focus mostly on young adults that they can fully understand Christ.
2. Follow Up
Suggest them to keep reading the Bible and with continual Bible study and one on one study to have maturity in Christ.
3. Interest in Church and the Nation.
Acknowledge as disciple in Christ. Make a community of believers and enhance the influence in Christ in work and social life.
Because that was our goal and was the foundation of YBA, many young adults who met Christ through us were continually asked to serve and go to church. It was ok for the YBA members to break off or miss the meetings if it was necessary for them to work at church. I always suggest the young adults to have the church as a priority. It was our agreement to our goal.
Our family sang hymn number 408 ‘The Mercy of God is an Ocean Divine’ to the YBA members while we were being sent out to the US. The hymn’s writer was at that time well known composer and writer, the founder of Christian & Missionary Alliance, A.B. Simpson. I am currently a member with this denomination. He also made the first Christian Bible College, Nayack College and launched the bible college movement in the 20th century. After I arrived at the US I found out about the composer A.B. Simpson. This denomination is driven by evangelism, priority to planting new churches and devoted to World Mission.
Many people asked me why I had moved to the United States.
I wanted to know what the World Mission was all about that time. Also the YBA wanted to open a “Bible College” and the members were having prayer meetings. So I wanted to have a wider view by moving to United States. I wished and prayed that the YBA’s group would steadily grow because there were a lot of faithful leaders and assistants even if I had left.
When I left for the United States, the members of the ‘Bible College Funds’ had gathered and in the early 90s, I went back to be a key speaker in the winter retreat for YBA, I visited the expected site in GongJu (A rural area outskirt of GongJu, South ChungCheong Province). This was during the time when there was no “Bible College” in Korea. I had planned and wanted to start a bible college once my daughter just entered college. I and my wife wanted to head back to Korea and start a bible college. So in year 1993 when my daughter just started college I revisited Korea in the winter. But after short time returned to the US, seeing that the YBA ministry in Korea was no longer my calling by God. After I resigned from San Jose Bible Church (Which I found and served for 7 years) I started the American branch of YBA.
I wanted to serve in Korea but knew this was not my calling because of personal matter. I think it was God’s plan that I needed to be grown more in knowledge. I was serving young adults and pastors, and also served as district superintendent of the Korean district of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. That’s how I met many workers of world mission. I also met church planters and learn how to have healthy church leaders. I learned also how to support and dispatch missionaries, and how to rise up new leaders. I remember a quote from sermon by Reverend KyungJik Han. “When God closes one door, he opens yet another path.” I give thanks to the gentle guidance God has given me.
(January 2011)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Moving back to San Jose 
The Mercy of God Is an Ocean Divine