Eddie Byun

 

Onnuri English Ministry (OEM) had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday last month. Hundreds of visitors came to our service and over 70 people gave their lives to Christ for the first time. Each year, from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday, which is often referred to the Lent Season, OEM members partner together in an evangelism campaign called "Three for Eternity". The "Three" carries a couple of different meanings. There are three parts to this campaign: 1) intercede, 2) invest, and 3) invite. Each person is encouraged to bring three loved ones who do not know Christ yet to join us for Resurrection Sunday in order to hear the Gospel proclaimed. But there is an important preparation process and partnership that our congregation members part-take in along with the pastors. Each member spends the Lent season interceding for their loved ones to know Christ, secondly, they invest into the relationship through time spent together and enjoying life together. And finally, an invitation is made for the friend to come and hear the life-changing Gospel message of Jesus Christ. It has been a very fruitful and non-threatening way to form a partnership between the pastor and the congregation member to evangelize to the people we love during the Easter season. Two years ago, when the Three for Eternity Campaign was first attempted, almost 300 people gave their lives to Christ for the first time. We celebrate and honor the saving work of grace that God has been doing in OEM.

It is one of the greatest joys in the world to see a loved one become a fellow family member in Christ because of the Gospel. With May also being "Family Month" for Korea, it is a great reminder of the ultimate end for the Church - the great family reunion with believers when Jesus Christ returns. Friendship is sweet, but the greatest relationship is when that friend becomes an eternal brother or sister through faith in Jesus Christ.

I rejoice that Korea celebrates "Parents Day" and "Children's Day", for it shows that this culture values the institute of families. And for the Church, may we place a high priority in seeing every friend in our lives enter the family of God. God bless you and your families this month.