Yesterday, just after the ending of the Tuesday Bible Study Session on Philippians, at about 9:30 PM, I noticed a child of about 7 years old with a long face.  So I asked his mother.  “What’s going on?  She smiled at me and commented that her child is committed to reading five pages of Bible everyday.  The child finished his five chapters while other kids were playing in the Child Care Room.  And as he was finishing up and ready to fully join his friends for fun, his mother said to him, “let’s go home.”  That’s why he had that long face. His mother said with a smile, “for nine consecutive days my children came to church every day.  Still, they want to stay longer.”
  
If you ask me how my church is doing today, I could say, “the above description tells it all.” 
“We like to be at church!” could be a common statement of any church members.   On the week of October 22nd, from Monday to Thursday, we held South and Central American Missionary Celebrations at our church.  About 22 missionaries were invited for the four day conference from various countries in South and Central America.  Starting with the mission report during the Sunrise Worship Service at 6 AM, the mission forum continued during late morning, and finished with more mission reports during the evening worship led by the missionaries.  The entire four day mission celebration testified the works of Holy Spirit.  The evening worship service lasted late into the night everyday until after 11:00 PM.  I was worried.  We, as Presbyterians, are not used to such a lengthy schedule.  However, more and more church members came to worship day after day.  And as if that was not enough, the celebration was prolonged until the following Monday night.  I could guess how tired they might have been physically because I was tired.  On the following Tuesday night, I thought, there might not be many people at the regularly scheduled Bible Study.  I was wrong!  Even as a pastor, I was very surprised.  Everyone came.

I am filled with new hope and vision because I could see, through these days, the commitment, passion and potential our church holds.  A touch by God has great power!  I am witnessing that our church is sensing the presence of God’s hand ever more clearly.

When visitors come to visit us, they are surprised by the lively spirit of our church. I can also sense the seeds of Words manifest in many forms turning into life whatever it touches, blooming in flowers of vibrant colors. Children, youth, adults, and seniors, they all are experiencing the touch of our Lord Jesus Christ.   You can see it when you go into the preschool Bible class or youth gatherings.  You can sense it when you sing along with praise teams, when you join a Team ministry, or a missionary workshop.  You can feel your heart getting fired up while you worship and pray with us.

It is just a beginning.  It is like finally, a spring time has come after long nights of cold winter.  We have been tilling the hard ground, sowing the gospel seed, and watering it.  I expect long days of hard work under the hot steamy weather.  However, I am not worried, because I know God is with us.  I know God is working to touch us with His Holy Spirit.  I know that I am not alone.  God has prepared a legion of godly people to work with me, to sow the seeds even while we shed our tears.   I am hopeful because I know that God loves us and that we are learning to love Him and His people.  Because God has already let us taste the joy and his love, that He would guide us to continue the journey God has prepared for us, we are able to experience joy in midst of challenges of ministry.

I also like to take this opportunity to thank those who have prayed for our church and gave hand in times of hardship, and I ask you for continued prayers and labor together as we march on building the body of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Sincerely,

Jung Yn Shin
Pastor, Korean Presbyterian Church of Miami