Story One: Loving My Neighbor: Gospel and Gender
From next Saturday (7/24, 7:00 P.M.) to Sunday, we are planning to invite Pastor Yeong-ho Hwang and have a spiritual service. Pastor Hwang met Jesus at a young age and has since then joined in planting and training churches in Canada (Vancouver), New York City, and Korea for over 25 years. For 10 years, as a presiding pastor at Hangdong University in Korea, he was also in the front line, spiritually nurturing university students, and raising disciples of Jesus. He grew up in New York City, graduated from Johns Hopkins University, received a Master of Divinity degree from Canada Vancouver Regent Seminary, and a Doctor of Divinity degree from Gordon Conwell Seminary. As of now, he is working as the senior pastor of the Pascack Bible Church and is getting called on as a speaker for the ministry of the next generation. We thank God who has allowed us to meet Pastor Hwang, and opened up a path where he and we can do the work of God together.
This service will be for sharing our thoughts about the Christian worldview and contemplating on it. We have specially chosen the topic of this service as “Loving my Neighbor: Gospel and Gender.” We are praying that it will be an opportunity for us to discuss and establish Christian values in this changing world. Because the service is led by the English Congregation, the services themselves — on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon — will be in English. However, I would wish that the leaders of our church and parents with faith to all join the services too, because we are at a time now where we must think and pray together. I ask you all to pray for the services and seek God’s grace.
Story Two: Fasting
I am planning to do something that I have been holding as homework for a long time now. If God gives his grace, I am planning to set apart two weeks to fast and focus on praying. The planned length for the fasting will be — including the recovery period — July 19 to Aug 1. The first purpose is to empty my heart and fill it with the will of God; the second purpose is to mourn with those who mourn.
During this period of fasting and prayer, I am going to try to carry on with the usual ministry work as much as I can. However, I cannot expect the unexpected, and things beyond what I can handle may occur. So I thought it would be good to share with you my situation. This is since your understanding will prevent any misunderstandings. The Bible says that you should not make it obvious to others that you are fasting. It is saying not to use fasting as a way to boast. I will do my best not to use fasting as a means of bragging. Please take this only as a means for you to understand my situation. Additionally, please pray for our church, for me, and for our church members who are mourning.
Following the Shepherd. . .
From, Pastor Jiwon Choi