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세계 구제부 풀타임 사역자: 최 진 목사

CRCKC

2007-10-20 20:00:15, 조회 : 3,175, 추천 : 56

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October 19, 2007

John Choi – an answer to prayer!

About two and half years ago, the Director of CRWRC, Mr Andy Ryskamp was prostrate before the Lord in prayer. He was asking God how to advance the work of the CRWRC in the world. He encouraged the CRWRC team leaders from all over the world to engage with him on that topic.

I went to prayer asking what the Lord would have us do to grow the work of CRWRC in the USA. The Lord planted in my mind at that time a vision of the Korean CRC here in the USA fully engaged with CRWRC in ministries of mercy and development.

I wrote a grant proposal. It was denied. After a little time, I re-submitted it and it was approved for partial funding (less than we asked for). Now with funds from the CRWRC North America Ministry Team and funds from the CRCNA foundation, we found a way to hire a full time Church and Community Coordinator.

Rev Tong Park and I then began meeting to discuss what this person would do and how we could best structure the position for greatest impact among the churches.

The vision for this position includes:
1.        Teaching principles of effective relief and development ministry to Korean church leaders.
2.        Encouraging and teaching Korean congregations how to grow their ministries of mercy and justice to their members and their neighbors.
3.        Transforming communities (neighborhoods) by equipping church members to engage with their communities in effective development activities.

The work of CRWRC all around the world can be described this way:
Give a fish – Give gifts to people to sustain them in their poverty
Teach to fish – Develop skills and understanding so that people can sustain themselves.
Access to the Pond – Help the poor develop assets and long term savings (that is what separates the poor from the middle class in North America).
Care for the Pond and its environment – Help neighbors connect with neighbors, build community, celebrate life in the neighborhood, clean up the community, enhance the physical environment of the neighborhood. Help neighbors work together for the common good in their neighborhoods.
Protect the Watershed – Create Just policies and laws; Discern which policies and laws work well for the rich and have no benefit for the poor. Establish laws and policies that help people move out of poverty.

CRC churches preach and teach salvation; Salvation that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; Salvation that promises a life with Christ for eternity! That message rings empty and false if it is not accompanied with acts of grace, mercy and salvation from poverty, hunger and injustice in this life. God invites his church to be the agents of change in this life (not just in eternity) especially for those who are poor and vulnerable.

We are eager to see Korean church members join with the rest of the denomination in this local and world-wide task of relief and development through CRWRC. The leader for this work will be part of the Korean Ministry Team.

After some wonderful interviews with capable candidates, Rev. John (Jin) Choi was chosen by Korean Ministry team and myself to lead the work. He will join a team of 16 leaders in the USA engaged with CRWRC in this work.

I pray that the Korean CRC will eagerly embrace John and invite him to bring knowledge and ideas about how they can grow their ministries of relief and development with CRWRC.

Jay Van Groningen

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