Elder Ha-Sik Min’s eulogy,
 
After celebrating the period of Lent, I had called Elder Min to greet him for the upcoming Easter Sunday, but I was not able to get connection. Usually, when he cannot pick up the call I had, he would pick up the message and call right away, or on the next day usually, greeting and asking how everything is doing, apologizing, “I should’ve called first, but I have to pick up instead”.

It was strange, at least seeing that the elder did not pick up. Was it from health problem issues? Was he in the hospital perhaps? Despite Easter having passed, I had called today (Monday – 8:30 AM, time there would be 10:30AM) to Elder Ha-Sik Min, who resides in Chicago. There was no connection in the call. Turns out, he had passed away at the age of 84 and was taken to the Lord.

I was at the office, working on computer when someone called me. The person introduced himself as Elder Min’s son-in-law. While returning the phone number back to the service provider, he was checking on the messages and found my message, and thought the call was important and had called me. The son-in-law carefully, in a calm voice said, “Elder had passed away last 2^nd of March.” I was in shock and said, “What did you say?” again, the answer was that he had passed away. After showing signs of pneumonia around last February, he had been admitted to the hospital for about 5 days, and on the 2^nd of March, he had passed away in peace.

The very last conversation I had with the elder was on 25^th of February (Thursday) afternoon. Either I called him or vice versa, we had kept close to each other in fellowship for the last 15 years. The elder was very healthy and fit for his age, his thoughts were young, and had always constantly exercised to keep his health. He always had read books and meditated upon the word deeply. He had a bright attitude and his voice was always with strength. He was respected by many around him because he kept his truth and faithful to those around him. He was the accountant and vice chairman of the Korean District of the C&MA, and always had worked hard to improve the district and the church he served. He was always an exemplary in serving to the members around him.

I first met Elder Min when I joined my current denomination in 1994. When I attended the District Annual meeting, an elderly, sporty hair-styled gentleman had greeted very kindly. I remember he was the vice chairman at that time. He was very positive, to seek out ideas that would improve us all, and would embrace others. After that I had always gladly met with the elder during the District Annual meetings.
During Fall of 2000 while I was in New Jersey, I was able to see Elder Min more often after I had become the Superintendent of the Korean district. After I was elected, he worked with me as the accountant. The office was in Southern California. But Elder Min was in Chicago. So sometimes I would have to call him to ask suggestion in the matter of the funds.

The reason I was close with the elder was, because he had the qualities of a leader. While I was traveling around the Mid-United States for the district work, there were many churches of my district in Chicago particularly. I visited there to visit each church, did pastoral qualification testing, annual Korean District Annual meetings, appointing pastors, etc. There were many young pastors there, but Elder Min (who, at this point was already retired many years ago) would come to the airport to greet me, and to take me to the places to stay. During meal times, he would always take extra care and would make sure so that I was able to do my duties in utmost strength, as he would encourage me as well. Also whenever I returned back to California, he would drop me off and would wave at me and go. That’s not all, my district of C&MA started here in Chicago. By the time I was the superintendent, there was already 20 or so years passed, so there was a deep history in the district.

Since I would have to know the each church and their pastors of the district well, I was able to get a great lesson from the elder who had been there from the start. Since he studied history as his major, he had put his expertise; he was able to provide me valuable information and other things. So it is only natural to say that he was one of the many mentors in the superintendant work.

2001 was the first season I worked as the superintendent. I had spent many days on the road. On average in a year, I would spend about 160 days out all over United States to visit Korean District and all churches, to take care of them, and to get to meetings and trainings – it was a very busy time.

It was during this time point in September of 2001 I needed to visit all the churches within Chicago so I was there. After finishing my work there, I was going to the airport. I had called one of the pastors whom I couldn’t visit – even thought I was in that area due to the distance, I just wanted to pass my greetings before I left. The pastor said in a very urgent voice said, “Pastor! Do not go to the airport! Turn on the TV right away!!” Which I did and in the TV there was the unforgettable scene of the Twin Towers being attacked by passenger jet plane and collapsing afterwards. How could such things happen to the United States? I was speechless.

There was no way to return back to Southern California now. All passenger train tickets were sold, so were the rental vehicles. After holding for many hours, I had called the airline company; after waiting many hours on the phone to get the customer service, I would get the next flight out and would head to the airport. However, all the attempts were in vain, as the airport was shut down. I did this for about week but was impossible. During that time the entire airline system was in a lockdown.

As unfortunate as it was, after a discussion with Elder Min, we decided the best option was Greyhound Bus to Southern California and we headed to the nearest bus terminal. The bus terminal was shockingly as busy as I can ever remember when during Korean Thanksgiving (ChuSuk) season in Korea, when travelers all crowded about in the Seoul Station trying to head to their relatives. I would’ve never guessed this would be like so in United States either. After a very long time, a ticket was barely purchased to Southern California. In that chaotic terminal, elderly elder Min had waited with me sweating, bidding me a farewell. This showed how the seasoned believer showed his compassion to be patient till the end – something I would never forget about the beauty of Elder Min.

Few years back, I had collected all the hymnal poems into a book called ‘Lord! My Life’ which was published and I sent to elder Min as a gift. Next when I spoke to him, he said that he would read daily a piece of my poem and would then meditate the word. Surely, as I have spent to publish the precious poem book, someone would read daily, to sympathize the path of living for the Lord – and to understand it was something I cannot be expressed enough in words.

It has been 12 years since I have left the position as the superintendant, every month, every change of season, he would encourage me, or vice versa to keep our friendship together. He is no longer here with us. I would no longer be able to hear his powerful yet wise words from him. But, he left a huge many valuable things of life, the meaning of life, his fellow members of faith, his daughter whom he dearly beloved along with his family – All of those would be left for long time to blossom into great fruit.

Dearly beloved Elder Ha-Sik Min! Will you have everlasting happiness and blessings in the Lord. I can see you singing hymns of adoration to the Lord.
 
(3.28.2016)