On the third (Wednesday) night of the House Church Pastor Conference, a special time is allotted to pastors, their wives, and missionaries attending the conference to pray for the church hosting the conference. There are many sessions at the conference, but this prayer session is most passionate and fervent. They bless and applaud the church with a sincere heart and pray for the church with tears like it is their own church.

 

  Finally, our turn has come to receive this blessing. Note that it is the time of blessing for all the Hanmaum church members. As written in the last week’s pastor’s message, God wants to lift us up. This special prayer time for our church is a manifestation of God’s such will. All the pastors will stand up and sincerely cheer us and pray a prayer of blessing over us. The heart of these pastors is the manifestation of God’s heart for our church. Like crowd clapping and cheering for the athletes racing to the finish line, God will root for us. Like crowd enthusiastically welcoming the athletes who crossed the finish line with a standing ovation, God will greet us with open arms saying “Job well done... Nice work...”

 

  I am touched by many who devoted themselves to prepare for the conference. It hurts me that I can’t list all of their names here, but I know that God himself is calling out their names one by one complementing them saying “Good job... Thank you...” Through this special time of prayer, God will pour his heart out to us.

  My heart cries with a wish to invite many Hanmaum church members to this special prayer time but this is unrealistic with logistic issues. So, House Church Council requires only the Mokjas and Moknyeos to be present as representatives.

 

  However, I think this is a good opportunity for all of us at Hanmaum church. This is the special time for us to express our thankful hearts to the Mokjas and Moknyeos who have served us for many years.  Looking at it this way, House Church Council’s decision requiring only Mokjas and Moknyeos to be present makes sense. I will be one of the pastors cheering and praying for them. Although I am Mokja as well, my role for the conference is the pastor of Hanmaum church. “Prayer session for host church”, I pray that everyone’s hearts are at the prayer time, blessing each other and enjoying the heart of God. And please remember, God will greet us in heaven in the same way.

 

Pastor Choi