The Church

I just returned from our church outreach to SaryangDo, a small island off the south coast of Korea. For one week I observed & contributed in the various ministries the church had put together; kids and youth ministries, shoe repair, massage therapy, medical clinics, hair dressing, building, repairing. It was inspiring to see such a dynamic expression of church in action! Many physical needs were met on this small island but I really believe the people experienced a picture of Jesus through the working hands & feet of His people.

Recently I was reminded that God's purpose in existing isn't actually to take care of our physical and emotional needs, he's actually most concerned about bringing glory to himself. God doesn't exist for us, we exist for God. This definitely changes my perspective and the way I approach ministry.

"the church is not a building. No, it's not even a people. It is actually the living presence of a Holy God in a fallen world. It is the tangible evidence of an invisible hope, dressed in of all the people who have found that hope." - David Jeremiah

I'm getting ready to head out to Mongolia in a few days with the youth group. Please be praying that the glory of the Lord would shine through us!

Lakeside Church

Hello Lakeside Family,

Jeremy MacDonald here from East Asia in Daegu City, South Korea. I pray this letter finds you fueled & aflame, cheerful & expectant in the things of the Lord. Lakeside Church has long been & continues to be a great blessing in the development of my spiritual life as well as a generous support in my journey as a missionary. My prayer is that your investment into the ‘Kids Zone’ children & Youth will continue to bear fruit of God-fearing believers who are not swayed by the free-thinking, post-modern world but who are founded on the perfect standard of God’s Word. I thank God for the faithful servants of Lakeside who took a genuine interest in my life & guided me towards a life of obedience.

As a missionary in Korea, my mission has been to serve in sharing the unconditional, furious love of Jesus & the God of the bible who is ALIVE & ACTIVE today. I have been having the time of my life here, living in a community of passionate believers as well as experiencing Korean culture & all the interesting & sometimes disturbing foods that come along with it. I never thought I would ever eat an octopus that was resisting me from consuming it. I guess theres a first time for everything!

I have been learning so much from these people but I do want to give you a short summary of what this has translated itself into in the day to day life of living in Korea.

English Ministries
Since my arrival in Korea I have taken on a variety of ministries all surrounded by the subject of English Education. South Korea is well known as a study culture & places a high priority on quality education & a significant focus on learning English. As an English speaking ‘Westerner’, this has made me somewhat invaluable in this church in being able to Teach English. I’ve been entrusted the responsibilities of teaching weekly English Classes to Church members & the community, leading an English Bible Study as well as leading an English Worship Service for Elementary level students on Sunday.

I have often felt overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility placed upon me as an English Minister but God has sustained me & has been teaching me so much about myself & the gifts he’s given me. It’s been a privilege to be able to teach English to the Koreans, learn from each others cultures & build a small, safe community of both believers & non-believers alike. I’ve found English to be an effective ministry tool for those searching for a safe place to belong & engage in community.

Mongolia Outreach
I was asked by the Youth Pastor to participate as a staff in the Youth Groups’ upcoming two week outreach to Mongolia in August (3-13). I am looking forward to encouraging these young people as they enter their first mission trip as well as experiencing a new country & culture. Mongolia has just recently been struck by poverty & is a country dominated by Buddhism so it will be our goal to impart the love, joy & peace of Jesus while meeting their practical needs.

Partnership
I would like to ask for your prayer support as well as your willingness to partner with me financially in these upcoming missions trips. I am in need of around $1000 for a plane ticket to Mongolia as well as $500 for practical living expenses in the next few months of living in South Korea.

Thank you!
I want to thank you again for your generosity. Your prayer, support & encouragement has been a huge blessing.
I pray we would continue to be stirred up as we embrace the call of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”


Huge blessings from South Korea

English Class

Here is a picture of one of my English Classes. These women are so much fun, we always have a good time.

I will be found in you.

'Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord'
Jeremiah 29:12-14

Just had one of those profound moments this morning in just knowing that God actually listens to me when I pray. The Word says when I seek him I WILL find Him and be found in Him. I think we need to be reminded of this from time to time..What a phenomenal promise to us!

I pray you would let this truth impact you today.