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Youth are the future hope for the church. There is a newly organized company specially designed to attract teenagers. It is drawing attention from other churches’ to this new model of evangelism. On May 28, 2005, the company for teenagers was opened in Toegyewon Church, 10kms northeast of Seoul, Korea. It is the first ‘teenagers’ church’ in Korea.

The Sabbath programs including worship services are operated by the teens in a separate room from the adult’s. They are given more freedom, but more responsibilities in the church.

The first worship began with a lively and cheerful music and dance by “Love,” a mixed chorus from the Korean Shamyook Junior Academy. Their holy drama, a pantomime, demonstrated the God’s Creation and Jesus’ Love on the Cross. More than 100 students and visitors were impressed with their presentation.

“The Teenagers’ Church is established to make church attractive to students and get them to love being an active participant not just a passive bystander. They may realize the vision and mission of the Lord through their services in the church,” said Toegyewon Church Pastor Yang, Jong Ho.

“The youth are the current church and the future leaders of church” said Dr. Jairyong Lee, president of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists. “I really appreciate that they started this church for the teens in spite of the difficult situation operating it.” Dr. Lee wished there will be more churches for the students throughout the country.

The company for the teenagers is meaningful giving a possibility of religious education and evangelism for teens. Young people who are under the pressures of secularism and materialism which are pervasive in this society, find it difficult to become involved in church activities.

The teenagers’ church was opened with the similar concept of the youth church for the young people between the ages of 20 – 30 years which was introduced in the same Toegyewon Church in October 2004. About 450 people attend Toegyewon Church every Sabbath. They have the Sabbath worship programs for children, teenagers, and youth as well as adults.