“From a loved child to a joyful worker” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
We had our first Christmas retreat since the pandemic from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 December at the High Leigh Conference Centre. We stopped accepting applications for the retreat a month previous and there were 60 people on the waiting list which goes to show how big expectations were. Through Pastor Seok Hyun Lee who […]
“My deep yearning” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
Last October, I went on a pilgrimage to Turkey for a week. For a while, I didn’t think much of pilgrimages, as I thought it was more important to focus on God’s current works in the present, rather than observing sites where God was present in the past. But this time, I heard that the […]
“Lord, please teach me to be compassionate” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
When I was in charge of the Young Adults ministry in Korea, we went to serve people with disabilities for one of our summer retreats. We went to a place called Aikwangwon in Goeje Island, which is often said to be a ‘heaven’ for people with disabilities. Our task was to go and play on […]
“Guilt” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
I once read a book by IVP about guilt. Apparently, guilt is something that underlies a mental breakdown. Guilt is an emotion of low self-identity, as it is an emotion that is evoked when you or those around you influence you to think that you are not important. If this emotion grows, then you end […]
“Ecumenical Ministry and Church Ministry” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
When I came to the UK in 2008, I thought that the association of churches was of utmost importance. So, in the same month that I came, when I heard there was a gathering of pastors of Korean churches in the UK, I bought a watermelon and went to introduce myself. There was a pastor […]
“The honour of understanding the heart of God” – Joohyang Song
It all started this spring. My cell leader was due to leave the UK, and we needed a new leader to lead our cell group. She had asked me whether I could, but I wasn’t sure. Life in the UK was hard enough, having to look after myself and my faith. I wasn’t sure whether […]
“Living as a father of five children” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
I have three daughters and two younger sons. My eldest daughter got married two and a half years ago and now lives in Korea, my second eldest daughter is studying for a PhD in the UK, my youngest daughter is in her 2nd year of university, my elder son is in Year 8 of secondary […]
“Go to the gym of the spirit” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
Humans are spiritual beings. My spirit is a channel through which I converse with God. Though it certainly exists within me, but it is also something I cannot locate. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I […]
“Mission Sunday at God’s Vision Church” – Pastor Young Joo Lee
In June 2008, I was sent to London by a Korean church as a missionary. Because of this background, though I lead a Korean church, I really wanted our church to grow as a mission-oriented church, whereby all members of the congregation would be involved in mission in one way or another. From autumn of […]
“Fortunatus and Achaicus” – Pastor Jooyoung Park
We find comfort in many different ways. Someone may be comforted by being provided with food and necessary goods. Sometimes a heartfelt word of encouragement gives you the strength to get back up after spending time alone worrying. Among those who give encouragement are people who have experienced difficulties and therefore can naturally share words […]
