The Simplicity of Grace

Another day in the ever-rising humidity level city of Daegu. At the end of almost every day I walk to the gym at around 9pm where students in their school uniforms roam the streets. When I get out the gym at around 11pm and walk home, still to find young students around the ages of 8 to 16 just coming home from a full day of school.

Daegu is widely known as the biggest education city in South Korea. There are several large Universities and usually everywhere you look in the crowded, lighted streets are Math and English Academies. This city is a factory, mass producing brilliant young machines to build the booming economy of SKorea.



In my experience of hanging out with young people here, they have shared with me some of their rigorous weekly schedules that often included extreme early mornings, full-day schooling with up to 2 academies in the evening for desert. Oh and then when they get home at around 11pm, they are to finish their homework and prepare for the next day.

One would hope that the church would be a great opportunity for these young people to find rest for their minds, encouragement for their hearts and fuel for their souls but unfortunately this, more often then not isn't the case. Church seems to be just another boring academy where we try to pump them with information, often disconnecting the Christian life with real-life challenges and pains.

I for one have had to break through this strenuous, machine-like mentality of the church. As a missionary and staff of Dreem Church I have built up quite the weekly list of services to this church. Without making this sound self-serving, that I somehow am more spiritual on the basis of how much I give (which is a tendency!), I constantly have to keep my relationship with Jesus in check. It is all too easy to float through just another week of church work, teaching and preaching the bible, teaching non-christians English and leading worship with enthusiasm. These days I've discovered my auto-pilot in ministry.



Thankfully, God is a good Dad who keeps reminding me that its all about relationship with him. I'm convinced this is really why I was sent to Korea in the first place, that I would grow deeper in love, truth and intimacy with my Creator, Savior and Dad. I was not called to a people or to a place, I was called to a person. His name is Jesus.

Its too easy to judge the church and I sometimes I hate my critical spirit. I guess I just really want to see the church be all that Jesus intended it to be. I want people to come into the church and feel the freedom and grace that is freely offered. Often we come with hands full rather then hands empty in need of receiving. It is when I come in my nothingness and humility that I experience the simpleness of church. A group of rebellious and often religious children with a good Dad. A bunch of sheep in desperate need of a faithful Shepherd.



Please be praying for the church in South Korea. We have the religious zeal here but lack the simplicity of grace that sets us free from the guilt and condemnation that comes from religiosity. I can't tell you how many people have said to me "I feel God is mad at me" after sinning or even just missing church. The beauty of grace is that it is free, we all don't deserve it because we're all flawed and incomplete. God accepts us because we accept that Jesus took our sin upon himself. This results in a wonderful freedom and a community of excited people.

Oh that we might be this people!

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

P.O.W.

The pace has picked up considerably since my return to South Korea. I'm now teaching 10 English classes a week and broadening my range of influence in the church and community of non-believers. The majority of my classes are middle-aged women and the rest range from Elementary to High School ages. It's been no walk in the park but I'm enjoying the challenge and new relationships!

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Today I was walking home from the gym after an afternoon workout and witnessed a terrifying moment. As I stood at the crosswalk waiting amongst many other Koreans on the busy street I saw a little Korean boy accidentally drop his balloon. Since today was a windy day this balloon began to drift right into on-coming traffic.



I watched as the boy ran to retrieve his balloon and foresaw the worst-case scenario. My mind immediately began screaming "SAVE HIM" yet my body remained immobile. Before the boy took one more step his mother swooped in to save him just as a city bus careened by.
Apart from being frustrated at my unwillingness to act, my heart was gripped by the passion of the little boy's mother. As I look back at that moment I have no doubt that this mother would have sacrificed her life for her son if needed be. Its the same kind of impression I have when I see my sister with her boys. If their lives were at risk in any way the motherly instinct of protection would rise up in her.



This morning as I was reading God's Word it said that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". I remembered that 2000 years ago a fatherly instinct rose up in God the Father for his children who were also in danger. The love of the Father acts. God thought it more important to slaughter His Son then to see his children blindly run into traffic.
The ultimate reality in this is that many people will go to hell as the implication of their rejection of Christ. This is God's just, eternal judgment for those who chose to not to believe. As insane as it seems to me that people would reject this truth, the fact is that we have enemy whose sole purpose is to kill and destroy the intended union we should have with our Father in Heaven.



When we commit to being a disciple of Christ we commit to the mission of rescuing P.O.W's (Prisoners of War). We commit to the same life Jesus had, denying ourselves for the purpose of God's plan.
My prayer for myself and the church is that we would lay our lives down. We wouldn't be so busy with 'ministry' that we miss Jesus' continuous rescue mission for mankind.

May the love of Jesus cause in us a willingness to step in front of the bus for another.



I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Language

>My Korean teachers wedding


I've been back & settled in South Korea for just over three weeks now. Its been good to be back minus the struggle of fighting off a cold for the last few weeks. Nevertheless, I am enduring as a good soldier :)

This year I've committed to teaching nine English Classes, a bible study as well as leading the Worship Service on Sundays. God has truly blessed the English ministries & has allowed me a wider range of influence with the community members of this area of Daegu. My hope is to continue to fuel the desire for my students to grow in the International language & build a community that encourages life growth.

I have to say that teaching English is no small task to a people whose language is so intricately different. I've been thinking lately about the Tower of Babel & how God distorted the languages of man so that they were unable to unify under one power.

I won't pretend to fully understand this passage but what I do know is the pride of mans heart, to turn away from the worship of God on to ourselves. Still, I do sometimes wonder why God had to break us all off like he did. Not that I don't appreciate the diversity & beauty that culture brings, I just know that Jesus' prayer was that we would be "one." Why would he put so much separation in between us if he desired we would be One? (John17:11)


This is something frustrating about missions work. It seems like so much more work could get done globally for the gospel if we could just simply communicate effectively.

This is one of my struggles as I try to break down the language barrier in South Korea. Please be praying that the Holy Spirit might translate the Truth of the gospel in a way that my words fail to do.

May the love of Jesus continue to break down barriers impossible to man!

'Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.'Prov 21:1

Carrying a good work to completion!

Sitting here in my parents house in Chilliwack watching chunks of snow blanket this mountain-side we call home. Its been a great visit back in Canada being able to spend some time with my sisters family in Penticton, visit my home church Salmon Arm, be a groomsman in my buddies wedding & spend some time with my parents in Chilliwack. As hard as its been for me to really take a rest in this three week vacation I've finally been able stop these last few days & process all God has done in this last year. I can't believe I just spent an entire year in South Korea & experienced all the things I did! It's been a privilege to be a part of the Dreem Church family in Daegu, a people with huge hearts who have generously provided for me and taught me so much. There was never a week where I was not invited to a families house for a traditional Korean meal & the odd Western meal to give me a taste of home. They have shown me the appreciation we should have for the simple things in life like family & food. So much of Korean culture is centered around food, often sharing elaborate meals while talking & laughing for hours on end.



Since returning to Canada, God has clearly revealed to me the direction he is taking my life which is to be involved in full-time ministry as a Pastor. I think my heart has known this for a long time but since watching my own father go through the struggles & sacrifices pastors go through I've been fearful & hesitant. It's funny because for so long I've been waiting for other people to call out my gifts "Jeremy, you should be a pastor. this is totally you" but I'm convinced God has silenced the persuasions of fellow believers (as well-motivated as people are).

I'm so thankful that He wanted to reveal this calling to me independent of what people may or may not say. He doesn't want our lives to be swayed by the popularity of man, placing identity and purpose in the hands of imperfect people but on Himself who crafted us in his own image. He is the one who validates us. I won't lie to you, as relieving as it is to know my calling, it terrifies me. To be a shepherd of God's sheep is no small calling. The bible is clear that there is a higher standard for Pastors who are entrusted the responsibility of faithfully preaching God's word. I believe this calling is not small & I don't plan to take it lightly.

This is why I covet your prayers in these early preparation years. Please pray for integrity, humility & authenticity; ingredients that I believe will keep me close to Jesus & trustworthy in the eyes of man.



I am heading back to South Korea in the next couple days to continue the English Ministries in Dreem Church. I'm still deciding on what University I will attend this coming September & what courses I will be taking so please pray for me in that as well!

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

Lakeside Church Mission Update

Dear Lakeside Family,

KONA Four years ago while attending a Discipleship Training School with YWAM in Kona, Hawaii, I was put in a dorm room with two Korean guys with nothing in common other then our faith. In these three months of rooming I quickly noticed that they were very different from me in & naturally began observing their lives. What really stood out was their fierce dedication to the Lord in form of spiritual disciplines. Morning prayer, bible reading & passion-filled worship times seemed to be an essential of their every day routine, things that I had not yet dedicated as a supreme importance in my walk with God. Their lives seemed to not only maintain a consistent reliance on God but bore fruit of generosity, selflessness & a love for people that intrigued me. In this time of searching I believe God had given me these guys to model an obedient & sustainable lifestyle in my faith journey. I knew from that time in Hawaii that the Korean people would hold a dear place in my heart. I didn’t know, however, that God had not finished with my Korean experience but would set the course for me to continue learning, growing & serving in the nation of South Korea.

TAIWAN It was a year later while attending a Bible School in Taiwan that I had met a Fijian man that was a missionary & leading an English Ministry in South Korea. He held the same love for the Korean people & soon learnt that we had similar interests. He then had talked to the church back in Korea & suggested to them me being involved in their church. It was soon after that I was offered an opportunity to come serve & take over leadership of the new founded English Ministry at Dreem Presbyterian Church. I knew that God was orchestrating something beyond what my limited faith could comprehend. Thrilled & eager for this new adventure I agreed & planned to fly over after my School of Worship had finished in Montana, USA.

SOUTH KOREA God has been so faithful to provide this amazing ministry for me to not only serve as an English worship leader but for me to grow & learn from the Korean people. The last year of my life in Korea has been comprised of various programs through the medium of English language education. Since South Korea is rapidly becoming a global & economic power, the demand for English (the international language) is very high. It is through this medium that we are able to reach the lost for Christ as well as equipping & educating Believers for global missions.

Weekday English Classes has been a very effective tool to bring in many Koreans into the church. As I’ve humbly attempted to teach my own language with no teaching experience I’ve made it my aim to build a trust with my students & through that have been able to introduce deeper life topics, often times opening doors for the gospel to be shared.

English Bible Study has been a wonderful opportunity for both Christians & non-Christians to attend. Our goal in this is to allow the word of God to penetrate into our daily lives, making the life of Paul in the New Testament & his followers real to us now. These studies have truly enhanced our faith!


English Worship Service This is basically an English focused Sunday School for children. This has been my favorite ministry since I love kids! Action songs, jumping, screaming, bible stories, crafts, skits, candy & crying. We’ve been doing it all! I wish you could feel the intensity level of 50-60 young Korean kids singing their hearts & hands raised to their Father & Friend. I can say I have witnessed the beautiful, simple faith that Jesus calls us to through the innocence & joy of these children. I absolutely love them & thank God who has deemed me adequate to Shepherd them.

Whom shall I send? It’s been a privilege to do life over in South Korea & be part of a community of people committed to sharing the free gift of grace & equipping believers to a life of obedience. I believe God is using these among many ministries in Dreem Church to build & establish his Kingdom on this earth. In the book of Isaiah, while in the presence of God, Isaiah hears God saying “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” This was a call not discriminately towards Isaiah but to all God’s people. Isaiah simply responds “Here am I! Send me”. (Isaiah 6:8) I believe God doesn’t call a select few to the lost but all His people. The issue is the condition of our ears to hear, respond & step into what God is already in the midst of doing.


Thank you so much for your support! Lakeside has been & continues to be a cornerstone & encouragement in my faith both spiritually & financially. I would ask if you would be willing to continue prayer for my ministry in Korea & whether you can support me financially in this next leg of my journey. I pray that God would bless you in whatever ministry he has entrusted to you in Canada!

All is well

A couple weeks ago I was able to join the youth group on a Ski/Snowboard trip. Too bad the snow was pure ICE. Nevertheless a fun time!

All is well in South Korea and much improved on the North-South Korean relations front. I can't say I know too much of what is going on but there are talks of peace in the air with South and North Korean presidents talking. This is a very big step for peace between these countries still technically at war. Thank you God!

As for myself, I'm just finishing up my last few days in Daegu before heading back to Canada. The church has given me three weeks back home before I return for another 5 months of ministry. I'm looking forward to visiting Lakeside Church in Salmon Arm and sharing with them what God has been doing in and through me in South Korea. I'll also be able to attend my buddies wedding, connect with friends and spend some quality time with family. Can't tell you how much I miss my nephews Tyson and Lukas. I'm hoping to make it back for Tysons hockey game!

Please be praying for my 3 week rest, that God would re-charge my batteries and fill me with a passion to serve.

Pride

As most of you might have seen on the news, South Korea (who is still technically at war) came to another military confrontation with North Korea yesterday where they exchanged weapons fire across the borders. I won't fill you in on all the details but simply put, emotions are high and cannons are loose over this offence. North Korea, who is adamantly communicating to the world their threatening nuclear capabilities is like the big yet small bully of South Korea and the world. Because of this bullying South Korea has been making it just as clear that they're not afraid to defend and/or retaliate if need be.



People
Some people I talk to are really afraid & are expecting the worst case scenario, stocking up on rice ramen noodles & bottled water while others are less fatalistic & believe this is just another empty power-play from the North. The problem now is what response will be carried out to the big, small bully of the North. North Korea has publicly stated that they will not flinch to attach if provocated which makes the wisdom of the South Korean President crucial.



Pride
I'm so convinced that God is still pursuing the broken & confused soul of the NKorean dictator Kim Jong il who is behind all this power seeking & glory. Just as God showed his patience with men like Pharoah of Egypt & King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, I believe God continues to seek his attention & heart. Throughout the bible & in my own heart I've experienced the toxic, destructive power of pride and how it can cause us to move into a false reality where I am superior and the world revolves around me. Because God is a good Dad He can't watch us pollute ourselves in this way but humbles us so we turn our attention off ourselves and on Him. In one way or another God will have the final say.

Please Pray:
1) For Kim Jong il, that he would be humbled & broken. That he would see that he is just a man and not a god.
2) For the wisdom of South Korea President Lee Myung-bak & that he would make the right decisions.
3) That the church would stand in the midst of fear and share the message of a God who is in control. That there is no fear in love.



The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want;
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.

Psalm 23