A Taste of Spiritual Immersion

From June 5 to 15, 2014, Mongolia Mission sent fifteen couples to Jeju, South Korea, to attend a family retreat co-sponsored by Northern Asia-Pacific Division at its newly constructed Training Center. The group was the first batch to use the Center, and the meeting was such a rare privilege and an experience to remember.

Everyone had a taste of spiritual immersion during the 10-day program at a place a good distance away from the city with no internet access to distract the minds. Adding serenity was the “no-talking policy” for an entire week. The silence indulged the group in prayer, Bible reading, and most importantly, in listening to the voice of God. As early as 5:30 a.m.,

Pastor Hong KwangEui, together with Pastor Jo JangJin as translator, started the lectures that mainly discussed family relations, healthy diet, seeking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ death and being born anew with Christ. He also encouraged the group to participate in fasting that lasted for two days. The physical hunger the group endured paved way for a more spiritual drive to be like Jesus. Thus, they all felt emotional when they participated in the symbolic reenactment of Jesus’ crucifixion during vespers.

The testimonies the group gave in closing were, indeed, moving and inspiring. Everyone attested to the power of prayer, fasting and meditation. Each departed the place with renewed spirit and conviction to walk as Jesus walks.