I came to the UK in 2018 to study and returned to Korea in September 2021. After going back, I entered a theological seminary and served in a church. Yet through that time, God made me aware of my own shortcomings and the UK, the place where I first experienced His goodness, remained in my heart. I saw the ARISE announcement online, and with a strong conviction that I had to go and share the gospel, I began preparing. Throughout my three years in seminary in Korea, I participated in ARISE 2022, 2023, and 2024. ARISE sends participants to local churches in the UK, where they stay, support the church, and engage in door-to-door evangelism.

In the first year, I witnessed how, through a week of evangelism and prayer together, we became like a family with the hosting church. It taught me that this kind of mission was more meaningful than any other. However, when I was choosing a ministry placement as a seminary student, my top priority was simply having a two-week summer break. Even with that mindset, in my second year, God revealed to me that I had not even properly memorised my testimony. I had been doing things in a haphazard way, and I felt deeply sorry before Him. He had brought me to this mission and paved the way for me, yet my effort to prepare what belonged to Him was lacking. I was thankful that He made me realise this on the very first day, and I began memorising my testimony at the accommodation.

While going door to door, God gave me the opportunity to share my prepared testimony. I still cannot forget the first young person I spoke to. After knocking on every door along a long street and heading back, God allowed me to meet that young person again. When we greeted each other, the bright smile I received was a kind of welcome I had never experienced in my life. It felt as though God was saying, “Well done.”

In this way, God shaped my own approach to evangelism. Much of what I now share in street evangelism comes from what I prepared, proclaimed, and practised during that time. Year by year, I have experienced God growing me and leading me to the people I am meant to meet. The joy of entrusting myself to Him, expecting His way, and responding to His calling is beyond words.

I am naturally introverted and still do not enjoy going out much. Yet when He calls me to share the wonder of salvation, and I obey, God fills me with fullness. Evangelism is both a joy and still a burden for me, which is why I continue to strive and pray. In 2026, He has placed me as a team leader. Even in this, I expect that God, who uses someone as lacking as me, will also raise and grow my team members as they join in His work. I hope this will be a time for us to realise how joyful obedience to God truly is.

I look forward not only to becoming one family as we share God together with teammates and members of the local church, but also to meeting the souls God will bring—those we would never encounter unless we step out, knock on doors, and go beyond our boundaries. Through this, I have come to realise that many people either follow other religions or have left the church without knowing the love of God. Yet I trust in God’s work, that He still loves them and will lead us to them. I pray and prepare so that my team and I may boldly proclaim the love of Jesus, who gave His life for us.