ⓒ 2009 WATV

The “2009 Summer Training Workshop for Youth Students,” which the youth members of Zion had eagerly looked forward to, was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute for two days from July 26 to 28, starting right after the 7th New Jerusalem Festival. Over 1,300 high school students participated in the workshop.

Through the opening worship service, Mother encouraged the students who had been faithful to their school life and enthusiastic about their life of faith as well, saying, “The prophets like David and Daniel carried out their God-given mission faithfully when they were in their youth―around your age when you are as beautiful and pure as flower buds that are about to burst into bloom. As the student prophets in this age, lead many souls to God by filling your hearts with faith in God and with God’s Word.”

General Pastor Joo-cheol Kim asked the students to do their best to fulfill their duties as a student, having faith to enable them to care about spiritual things first, even though they had many worries and troubles during their youth. He also urged them to “become the brilliant protagonists of the gospel by preaching the Word boldly with confidence and pride and dignity as the children of God Elohim,” and hoped that the workshop would become a good opportunity for them to sharpen the sword of God’s word and strengthen their faith.

ⓒ 2009 WATV

The workshop programs focused on teaching the students the truth so that they could foster faith and cultivate the ability to preach. The students were divided into groups and studied the Bible with the teaching staff at the Main Building and Theological Seminary of the Institute. They confidently preached on the 46 subjects which they had learned and practiced, realizing God’s love contained in the Word. The teaching staff expressed their expectation towards the students, saying, “We thought the students were just too young, but we saw them growing mature as they armed themselves with God’s word. If we take better care of them and lead them with love, they will grow into great gospel workers.”

On the last day, the students shared their emotions and realizations which they experienced during the workshop, laughing and crying together. They expressed their firm resolution, saying, “In God’s word, we were able to engrave Christ’s love in our hearts and raise our confidence. Even after we return to our places, we will keep this mindset and lead many of our friends to the truth by confidently testifying to the truth.”

At the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute full of God’s love and grace, the students straightened themselves out both physically and spiritually, and fostered their faith and dreams for the gospel to the fullest extent possible. With a valiant spirit in their harts, they spread and fluttered their wings of the gospel vigorously.