Just before the Communication and Leadership Advancement Program (CLAP3D) began on Sunday, August 3, 2014, Typhoon Kompasu hit Jeju Island leading to the complete shutdown of Jeju Airport on Saturday, August 2. Although winds were still howling, our participants arrived safely in Jeju from all over the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD). It was by God’s providence that 90 percent of all participants arrived safely on Sunday with a few more coming on Monday and Tuesday due to flight cancellations.
This is the first time that CLAP is meeting at the newly built Adventist Training Center owned by the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD). Praise God that the next anticipated typhoon changed its course and bypassed Jeju with some light showers. The weather was pleasant for many days which allowed us to visit a few of God’s marvelous creations on this unique resort island.
The participants were upbeat in their group work and group discussions in English and in leadership classes. The focus for leadership was on abuse prevention education and how to handle abuse at the church and institutional levels as well as learning about boardmanship. A class in understanding themselves by using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was also presented.
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Guest speaker, Dr. Eugene Hsu, consultant to the Mission and Research Strategy Center of the NSD, came all the way from the United States and shared his ideas on leadership with regards to decision-making, priorities, pitfalls and rewards. His presentations, which were based on his vast experience and peppered with wit and humor, captured the attention of all participants.
CLAP3D ended on a high note with the visit of NSD president, Dr. Jairyong Lee, who personally presented each person with a plaque of completion. The CLAP members responded to his message of encouragement and a reminder of our mission with a rousing song that made its debut one year ago at the International Mission Congress as its theme song—“We are Standing.” The harmony was simply out of this world! A prayer of commitment with all our teachers and with Dr. Lee laying hands on the participants concluded the simple graduation ceremony and symbolically sent the group out to a lifetime of service for their Master.
Many participants expressed their appreciation for this life-transforming program. Pastor Baik InWoo said, “My mind was changed; it was broadened to see things on a wider perspective, to understand our world-wide church a lot more.” Dennis Li from China had this to say: “CLAP for me is more than a program. It is a life-changing milestone. I have been longing for a change in my life. God heard my cry, and in His time He designed this beautiful program to bring me back to His side. As a member from China, I often feel isolated from the World Church. CLAP helped me understand that I am not alone. I belong to this big family.” Pastor Yasuki Aoki from Japan said, “Joining CLAP is a good experience for me because it’s an opportunity to improve my English ability. I can also interact with the participants from other countries, understand and accept their culture and thinking. It’s definitely an unforgettable memory for me.”
The NSD has graduated three CLAP groups over a period of six years since 2008. About one hundred leaders from all its territories have experienced the transformation that CLAP stands for—transformation in their ability to function in English, transformation in their leadership skills and knowledge and above all, a spiritual transformation that promises a deeper commitment to the God whom we serve. May CLAP continue to build and prepare leaders now and for the future.
By Sally Lam-Phoon