“After returning home, I will continue to maintain missionary tension and live the life of a missionary wherever I am for the rest of my life,” stated Pastor. Han SukHee, the newly appointed director of the 1000 Missionary Training Institute, outlined the long-term direction of the 1000 missionary movement.
Director. Han asserted, “The direction of the 1000 missionary movement naturally aligns with this movement’s philosophy, identity, and purpose. The direction has already been properly established from the beginning. Under the leadership of past directors, we have been running toward that direction.”
He continued, emphasizing, “The experience of one year as a missionary does not simply end after one year. After returning home, I will continue to emphasize and set the direction of training so that missionaries can live the life of a missionary for their entire lives, whether in the church, school, workplace or anywhere else.” He added, “The slogan ‘Once a missionary, always a missionary’ will be concretely embodied and integrated into their faith, beliefs, and the direction and content of their lives, leading missionary work to encompass their entire lives.”
Drawing an analogy, he expressed his hope that just as an athlete builds the necessary muscles for their discipline and specialty through training, thereby maintaining physical fitness and developing endurance, the experience of one year as a missionary would catalyze the creation of the most valuable ‘spiritual muscles’ in life.
Director. Han proudly stated, “The 1000 missionary movement has fundamentally advanced with such directionality and identity from the early days until now.”
He further explained, “Now, given the rapidly changing times, I plan to redeem and supplement the areas needing change, focusing on the field as befitting the status of a globally recognized missionary training center.”
He outlined plans for various aspects such as the recruitment method, diversification of recruitment targets, diversification of missionary destinations, training content and curriculum, training methods, missionary dispatch and management system, financial stability, promotion system, and sponsorship management, the establishment of a rational system for operating the training institute including personnel and facilities, and structural adjustments. All these changes aim to harmonize with the overall direction and identity of the 1000 missionary movement and become a driving force for change.
■ “Like being at the forefront of the Gospel front line… Feeling the missionary tension.”
Director Han SukHee expressed his inaugural reflections, stating, “I feel gratitude before God for being entrusted with the enormous task of the 1000 missionary movement at the pinnacle of my ministry while simultaneously feeling the heavy responsibility.” He reflected, “Having worked on the administrative front lines, such as at conferences and Mongolia Mission for a long time, coming to the 1000 Missionary Training Institute, which is like being deployed from the rear to the frontline bunker, I feel a sense of missionary tension and urgency.”
Furthermore, he resolved, “Rather than simply training missionaries, I consider myself one of the missionaries first, ready to humbly serve, learn, and faithfully handle each task step by step.”
Director Han shared his thoughts, saying, “Memories of working with young people from various countries during my time as part of the first batch of 1000 missionaries, as well as my experiences in Mongolia, where everyday life was a continuous challenge environmentally, I believe these experiences will serve as constructive, productive, and desirable guidance and direction here.”
Moreover, he admitted, “The weight of the director position feels even greater and heavier than when I served as associate director during the previous administration.” He added, “I need to seek God’s guidance more frequently than ever before. Primarily, I will serve this movement seeking the rich experiences, wisdom, and advice of past directors. “
He also expressed his respect and gratitude towards the previous directors, saying, “Former Director Jeon JaeSong took on the challenges of arguably the greatest challenges of the century, such as the eruption of Mt. Taal and the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the uninterrupted progress and growth of this movement amidst the recruitment, training, dispatch, safety, and support of missionaries, as well as the protection and management of facilities of the headquarter, tirelessly day and night.”
Additionally, he conveyed, “Despite unprecedented difficulties over the past five years, they overcame daunting challenges with unwavering determination. I will do my utmost to perform my duties to prevent their efforts from going in vain.”
■ “Young People Aren’t Afraid of Challenges and Responsibilities”
Director Han SukHee extended an inviting message to young people considering missionary support, stating, “The youth have a golden opportunity and prime time to challenge themselves as overseas missionaries.” He mentioned the “Human Development and Achievement according to Each Life Cycle Stage” theory, which suggests an appropriate time to plan and achieve goals. When these plans are implemented and accomplished in line with timing and stages, the subsequent process and connections can produce synergy effects beyond expectations. He positively affirmed that this theory fits young people perfectly.
Quoting Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,” Director Han encouraged young people aspiring to become 1000 missionaries, stating, “Leaving behind the familiar environment, stepping out of the comfort of daily life, and awakening their faith and beliefs by venturing into challenges, perseverance, and unfamiliar environments is indeed a great privilege and an enormous opportunity for spiritual blessings for young people.”
He emphasized, “The experiences of communion and journeying with God while serving as 1000 missionaries during their youth will greatly influence their perspectives on life, faith, worldview, values, and history.” He highlighted that by relying solely on God, they will discover further spiritual, mental, and social growth and provide a correct and positive turning point in their lives.
He noted, “In fact, the mission itself is the greatest challenge,” adding, “Perhaps they may have to endure experiences akin to those in the wilderness. There is also the burden of living a sacrificial life instead of a selfish one. However, the era of easy missions has never existed in history and never will. The advantage of youth lies in having strong faith as the foundation and possessing passion, sincerity, purity, spontaneity, recklessness, audacity, and practicality. Young people aren’t afraid of challenges and responsibilities.”
He further said, “If they apply for the 1000 missionary movement, all these challenges and responsibilities will become blessings and gratitude.” He emphasized, “The number of young people participating in this movement is minimal. The time they dedicate to missions is just a short period in their lifetime. However, reaching out to souls more precious than the whole world, sharing the Word, praying for them, and ultimately baptizing them after tireless efforts are precious experiences, regardless of whether they are domestic or international.”
Lastly, he invited, “I earnestly hope that young people in churches will take more interest in this movement, participate more actively, live their own lives, revitalize the church, and contribute to the global evangelization movement, bringing joy to the Lord.”