The Korean Union Conference(KUC) Youth Ministries Department held the 2015 Pathfinders’ Bible Exploration Congress on November 8, 2015, at Madalpy Sahmyook Retreat Center. The theme was the book of Genesis. This was the first nationwide Pathfinders’ Bible Exploration Congress in Korea. The 400 members and leaders from 26 Pathfinder clubs who participated in the congress were those who had achieved the first level by passing the preliminary contest in their regions and union conference.
Pastor Choi HoYoung, director of KUC youth ministries, said, “Since this was the first congress, there were some shortcomings, but the youth ministry team will work on making improvements. We hope participants get greatresults and deeply engrave Genesis in their minds.”
Pastor Hong ByungGil, coordinator of the congress, hosted the quiz contest. The 26 clubs sat in a circle and worked together to answer the 62 questions.As the correct answer was announced, the participants alternated between pleasure and sorrow. Most of the participants were satisfied with the level of difficulty and the method used, and they expressed a determined resolution to be prepared for the next congress.
Jeong HyunJeong, a teacher at Guri Church, remarked, “We teachers and students were passionate about getting together, even on Sundays, to prepare for this congress. Members felt that it was difficult to study the Bible, but they became more and more used to it and worked together with one another. It was a great experience for us to learn how to read and study the Bible.”
This Bible Exploration Congress emphasized cooperation rather than competition, and the process was more important than the result. Through cooperation with team members, participants were able to learn how to improve themselves and achieve their goals. Awards were not presented in order of highest- or lowest-ranking scores, but by calling the club’s name first and then announcing their score. Also, prizes were not given according to the participants’ scores. It was different from other competitive contests which include fighting against others using knowledge.
For the 2016 Pathfinders’ Bible Exploration Congress, questions will be takenfrom the books of Mathew and John inthe New Testament. A preliminary contest will be held by region on June 30, 2016, and the semi-final contest will be held before August 30. A final contest by KUC will be held at theMadalpy Sahmyook Retreat Center on October 16, 2016.