Mission Story: Praying in the Storm

Overview

• Date: March 1, 2025
• Location: Seoul, South Korea
• Title: Praying in the Storm
• Participants: 19 South Korean teenage missionaries (ages 14-17)
• Program: Academy Missionary Movement
• Purpose: International mission trip for evangelistic meetings

Setting the Scene

• The missionaries arrived on a remote Philippine island.
• The first night featured a fierce thunderstorm which threatened their plans.
• Sleeping arrangements:
  • 11 boys in tents in a partially constructed church building
  • 8 girls in a nearby thatched house

The Thunderstorm

• Conditions:
  • Pitch black night with sharp lightning flashes
  • Intense rainfall and howling winds
  • The church was without doors or windows, creating a chaotic atmosphere
• The South Korean pastor awakened the boys to pray, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
• The girls were similarly instructed by the mission program director.

Prayer Meeting

• Time: 4 a.m.
• Teens gathered in the thatched house to pray for God to stop the storm.
• Duration of prayer: 2 hours
• Activities:
  • Prayers for forgiveness
  • Singing worship songs
  • Personal prayers and a sermon on God as a refuge
• By 6 a.m., the storm began to subside.

Impact of the Storm

• The storm set a tone of prayerfulness for the rest of the mission trip.
• Whenever it rained or challenges arose, the group prayed together.
• The teens felt they were fighting for the salvation of souls and often prayed for those they met in the village.

Life on the Island

• Adjustments:
  • Faced challenges like digging their own toilets and bathing outdoors.
  • No complaints were voiced despite lacking conveniences from South Korea.
• Evening activities included Bible reading, discussions, and gratitude for life and resources.

Results of the Trip

• Baptisms: 7 people were baptized in the ocean after completing Bible studies.
• The teens were joyful about the conversions and expressed a desire to be lifelong missionaries.

Supporting Missionaries

• A portion of the upcoming quarter's 13th Sabbath offering will aid in training students at Hankook Samyuk Academy.
• Goals include opening a missionary training center and gym.
• Encouragement for generous offerings on March 29th.