News > Asia

by Caleb C.

The 2024 New Year Korean Staff Shepherd's Conference was held at the Pilgrim House in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi-do, from December 4-6 to set the spiritual direction of the new year 2024. Eighty-eight people attended, including staff shepherds from Korea, P. Ron Ward, the General Director, and nine missionaries. The conference site had an excellent spiritual environment for the work of the Word of God because it belonged to a church.

Nehemiah K., the Korean Director, delivered the opening remark, "Have equal concern for each other," based on 1 Corinthians 12:25. Abraham S. (Ansan) delivered the first message, "The blessed one who meditates on his law day and night," from Psalm 1:1-6. He encouraged the staff members to live the life of a blessed person who delights in the law and meditates on it day and night. He encouraged them to love the Word of God even more, enjoy true blessings and happiness, and spread the 'happy virus' to campuses in Korea and around the world. After this, Stephen A. gave a special lecture on "Lectio Divina, Holy Reading." He introduced the "Holy Reading" movement in Korean churches. He encouraged the attendees to love, study, and practice the Word of God in the new year so that the vitality and dynamism of the Word will overflow within our community.

On the second day, P. Ron Ward delivered the second message, "Have faith in God" (Mark 11:20-25). He shared that holding an in-person international conference was difficult amid the coronavirus pandemic. But when we had faith in God and challenged the difficult situation, God greatly blessed our faith by sending over 2,300 participants. As the European Summer Bible Conference will be held next Summer, he encouraged them to have faith in God to prepare for the conference. Nehemiah K. announced that we would spread the 'faith virus,' and they prayed together.

In the evening, Joshua J. (Inje), Elijah M. (Jongro 7), and Jaegeun P. (Busan) shared their testimonies on their experiences of faith. David P. (Kwangju 3) shared his gracious retirement testimony. M. Daniel and M. Grace P. from Düsseldorf, Germany, shared their life testimonies and presented the European Summer Bible Conference.

On the third day, Joseph C. (Yeonhee 2) delivered a powerful message, "Preach the Word," based on 2 Timothy 4:1-22. Nehemiah K. said that the staff shepherds should spread the 'evangelism virus' in the new year, following the happy and faith virus. Afterward, they had a staff meeting, held an 80th birthday party for M. Seonji J., and ended the graceful conference. Thank God, who greatly blessed the New Year Conference, granting them abundant Words of God, spiritual fellowship, and a clear direction for 2024.