As the event approached, I realized my heart was heavier than I had expected. Attendance was lower than I had hoped, and for the first time, I felt a sense of failure in ministry. I recognised that I had relied too much on people rather than God, that pride had crept into my heart, and that everything I had accomplished up to this point had truly been by God’s grace. I repented and approached the event with a humble heart.
Though the overall number of participants was small, God provided enough people so that the staff could also fully focus on each lecture and session. People came not only from churches in London but even from as far away as Manchester. Since attendance required not only church fees but also transportation and accommodation costs, I opened my home to host six people. This made me think that next year, if any of our community’s homes had any spare rooms available during the Easter holiday, it would be meaningful for our community to offer accommodation to help attendees. Hosting this event helped me understand why, in Europe, it is common for church members to host visiting youth groups.
From the very first evening service, God’s grace was evident. Pastor Wooim Geun Lim, director of KOSTA, shared an inspiring testimony. He recounted going to speak to a small prayer group of about 20 young people who had been praying for Busan’s revival for ten years. Deeply moved, he prayed with them, and over time, that small group grew into a gathering of 200,000 people at Haeundae Beach, praying for Busan’s revival. This annual prayer meeting has continued, resulting in Busan, once the city with the lowest Christian population, becoming the only city in Korea experiencing genuine spiritual growth. His story was a fresh and powerful challenge to everyone listening.
Throughout the following morning sessions and elective lectures, the inspiration continued. Personally, I was deeply moved by Missionary Kwangsik Park, a renowned saxophonist. Though recognized as one of Asia’s top performers, he has dedicated his life entirely to Jesus, believing that his worldly achievements were meaningless compared to the gospel. He shared that he had been willing to face actual martyrdom for the gospel, that his friend had actually died for Christ in Turkey, and expressed sadness in how God had not allowed him to go down the same path because he was not ready. His calm, heartfelt confession was profoundly moving.
Pastor Jaegi Jang, known for his “Pray-alongs,” shared his own journey. Born into a devout confucian family, he came to faith in Jesus, entered a seminary, and was expelled from home. With nowhere to go, he drifted from place to place for months at a time. Despite these hardships, God raised him up as a devoted, praying pastor, a testimony that left a lasting impression on everyone present.
These experiences reminded me that pure, selfless dedication to the gospel still thrives in the Korean church. That is why next year, we plan to expand KOSTA to include not only Korean youth and church members but also international participants, with all programs conducted in both English and Korean. The schedule is designed for convenience, from Thursday evening, April 1, 2027, to Saturday evening services. I can already envision a mighty wave of revival beginning in the UK, led by Korean youth worldwide and young people from all nations rising together for the gospel.
