EM Retreat

It was my first EM retreat, so I wasn't sure how the EM congregation would have their retreat. On the way to Mt. Hermon where the World Fasting Prayer House was located, I had to experience a heavy traffic due to a car accident, it was past 6 p.m. by the time I got there. Some of the members were already there. One thing funny was that they had to keep the prayer house gate closed so that giraffes won't enter the properties. After dinner we had our first session. Mike and Toby led the praise, and I got to pray before the speaker, Pastor Jon Choi, shared his message. He preached from the book of Ecclesiastes and he was a good communicator using illustrations from his own experience. Since he grew up with some of my EM members, I think he connected well with them. It was a blessing for me to be able to rub elbows with a veteran EM pastor. After all, it was Pastor Jon who recommended me to FKCC.

When the first session was over, it was 12:30 a.m. We went to the campfire place and there we ate marshmallows, chicken, and nectarines. I got to talk with Jung, Nam, and Joan about the church and heard past stories. Being an EM pastor working with a Korean Senior pastor is a challenge, but I believe God will work something out for our best.

I went to sleep around 4 a.m. but woke up around 6 a.m. due to someone snoring so loudly. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to take a walk. I ended up going up a hill, and there I prayed loudly. Even though I was sleep like crazy, I went over my sermon outline for Sunday. Later we had morning session and dinner and headed home.

It was a time well spent with Pastor Jon and my EM members. I got to know my members a little better.