About two months ago, Pastor Lee asked me whether I would be willing to serve by leading the Wimbledon English cell group. When he first asked me that question, I honestly didn’t feel confident. I was already leading the Wimbledon Newcomers’ Class at the same time. Still, without thinking too long, I simply replied, ‘Yes, I will.’
It was similar when Pastor Jung had to return to Korea for visa renewal and family visits. For what was supposed to be just three weeks, I temporarily took over the youth group and led the praise for the first service. Somehow those three weeks have stretched into nearly two months now, yet these times have become an unexpected gift to me.
Becoming a “temporary substitute” is not always pleasant. The workload increases, and it’s not something I originally volunteered or chose to do. But looking back, I realize that God has continually placed me in such positions. Even my coming to God’s Vision Church was like that. I simply wanted to do my best so that any “gaps” caused by ministry transitions would not bring discomfort to the church. People may come and go, but God’s work must never cease. That’s how my ministry began, and even now, it continues as filling in the empty places left by others.
I still vividly remember the prayer I offered around the age of eighteen. ‘Lord, not my will, but send me where You desire and where You want me to be. Entrust me with any task—anything. I will obey. And I want You to be pleased when You look at me.’ Looking back, I see that the Lord has been faithfully answering that prayer ever since.
The Wimbledon English Cell began as a temporary role, but now I am its official leader. There’s Damir and his wife, like a strong older brother and sister; Jonathon and his wife, like the adorable youngest sibling; and Elliot and his wife, who hold it all together with balance and wit. God’s love for them fills my heart. The same is true for the time I spend with the youth group I’ve been temporarily leading for the past two months. Worshiping together with Iftu, Faith, Manuella, and Annina—four friends from Ethiopia who attend the Central Youth Group— has been deeply moving. It’s not because I speak English well, or because I am confident in youth ministry. Simply knowing that the Lord has sent me there, and that I am participating in that work through obedience—that alone makes the grace of serving so rich.
The word ‘temporary’ has an odd ring to it, as if it means something ‘not real,’ ‘inauthentic,’ or ‘just for a while.’ But to me, ‘temporary’ means something very different. It is both a precious opportunity to practice immediate obedience to God’s Word, and at the same time, an act of worship—entrusting myself fully to God’s timing and plan. If my small act of service can, in any way, help build the Lord’s church firmly and without gaps, then that alone is more than enough.
One day, my small role of filling in will be taken over by someone more fitting. But right here and right now, if the Lord has placed me in this position, that is sufficient. To be entrusted, even briefly, with filling a gap so that the body of Christ may stand firm without weakness—what greater grace or privilege could there be?
And so today again, I take my place as an interim servant with a thankful heart, believing that this is the most beautiful calling the Lord has entrusted to me for this day. ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ (Luke 17:10)
