This Monday is Memorial Day.   This Federal holiday is said to have its origins in honoring soldiers killed in the American Civil War back in 1866.  Since then American soldiers have fought in many wars, both at home and abroad, and on Memorial Day we are to honor all who died while serving in the military.  I do have to confess, however, that I spend more time thinking about the Memorial Day cook-out and the beginning of summer than remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy freedom, comfort, and joy of life in this great nation.  As I started thinking about Memorial Day, I became curious as to how many US soldiers have died in various wars over the years and found the following data (Sources: US Army Military History Institute; iCasualties.org):

*These numbers reflect only reported war deaths and do not include those wounded and/or missing.

It’s quite ironic and all the more tragic that more US soldiers died fighting against their own countrymen on their own soil than fighting enemies abroad.  To this Korean-American mother, however, the 36,516 soldiers who lost their lives during the Korean War, while defending South Korea from the communist North Korea and China, stand out the most.  So many mothers had their hearts broken over their child’s death on the Korean peninsula!  It’s one thing to lose your child in defending your own country, but have your her child sacrificed for a small obscure country thousands of miles away?  These soldiers, however, certainly did not die in vain.  Because of their sacrifices, South Korea has remained a free, democratic country and has experienced exponential growth in all areas of society, becoming one of the world’s leaders! On a per capita basis, South Korea sends out the most missionaries in the world.  If it had not been for the US and other allies that fought against the communist forces, there probably would be no South Korea today. Instead, there likely would be a unified Korea, but under a communist regime similar to that of today’s North Korea.  Just to think about that horrible possibility gives me chills.  I certainly wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if that had been the case!  I certainly wouldn’t be writing this column this day!

So this Memorial Day on behalf of all the freedom-enjoying people of South Korea, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all who lost their lives during the Korean War as well as the veterans for sacrificing so much for our freedom.  That priceless, but not free, freedom has led many of us to our ultimate, eternal freedom in Jesus Christ, and for that we will indeed be grateful forever.  I do hope to see many of them in heaven someday and give them a heartfelt salute!

From Pastor Sara’s Heart

May 24, 2015

I’ve been re-assessing my understanding of what “ministry” entails.  The typical understanding of ministry is associated with a calling, a calling that falls only to a specific group of people (think pastors, missionaries, campus ministry workers, etc).  When you’re “called into ministry” it’s usually, in the eyes of many Christians, a holy calling that requires a 3-year masters degree or the equivalent in experience of doing things pastors do.  If that’s the case, are all the other occupations that Christian’s have a less-holier calling, especially if “ministry” is not in their job title? Has “ministry” been pigeonholed to the office of pastor, preacher, teacher (of the Bible), shepherd, prophet, etc? 
In 2 Corinthians 5:17-18, Paul writes to the church in Corinth of how faith in the work of Christ on the cross destroys the old creation and that a new creation is born.  Immediately after, he states in v. 18:
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation
He uses the word “ministry” and the ministry of reconciliation given to believers is a direct result of what Christ did for us.  The few times “ministry” is used in scriptures, whether in Hebrew or in Greek, it is often translated as “service” with no higher or holier definition attached.  Ministry is service to and loving God and people (Matthew 22:36-40), those called into ministry serve, and that seems like a fairly broad statement to all believers.  Furthermore, if ministry of reconciliation (or the service of reconciliation to Christ) is a direct result of Christ’s work, for those who call on Christ for salvation, the ministry is a gift to them – another broad statement to all believers.
Friends, God desires for us to be reconciled through his Son.  He also desires to give us and for us to be a part of the ministry of reconciliation, the job title graciously given to all believers whether your occupation has a holy title or not.  This ministry of reconciliation enables us to share in the joy that the good Father has when people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.  Simple put, ministry is loving God and loving people and that is a high calling that we all need to be engaged in.
Knowing this, how are you engaged in ministry?  Who are the people in your life that you are serving and loving to point them to Jesus? 
Pray for opportunities wherever you spend your time – with your family, workplace, school… anywhere and everywhere.  That is the heart and call of God for those who know him.

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart
May 17, 2015