As autumn fades and the year ends, many reflect on the events in their nation, church, families, and personal lives. For Ko EunJin, this year has been particularly transformative. In 2024, she added the “PCM Missionary” title to her identity as an “Adventist Youth.” Serving at Xindian Church in Taiwan has filled her with experiences and emotions she might never encounter again, making it an unforgettable chapter in her life.
Sharing ‘My’ God
“I attended Adventist schools from kindergarten to high school, spending over 12 years immersed in Adventist education. But once I stepped into society, I realized I couldn’t even explain the God I believe in. I wanted to become someone who could confidently introduce ‘my faith’ and ‘the God I’ve met.’ I strongly desired to share the love I had experienced with those who didn’t yet know the truth.”
This aspiration led her to temporarily put aside her future plans and dreams and apply to be a PCM missionary. During this short period of about a year, her focus was to share the warmth of being in God’s church with local youth in Taiwan. She prayed they would treasure the love of God they experienced at church and remember it in difficult times. She also hoped that this would lead them to encounter God personally.
A Time to Learn
What began as an effort to bless others unexpectedly became a blessing for herself. Through the PCM mission work, she learned to rely on God rather than herself. She confronted her pride and self-reliance, realizing she was weak without God. This humbling experience made her more grateful for God’s presence and taught her the wisdom and courage to wait for Him to act in His time.
These lessons gave her the strength to persevere through challenges and pray humbly at the foot of the cross in all circumstances, the most significant spiritual benefit she gained from her mission work.
Her life now seems divided into before and after her PCM missionary service. The depth of her faith and her perspective on life have changed significantly. She now understands the immense joy and fulfillment of empathizing with and contributing to others’ happiness. Even when the mission felt overwhelming, the sight of young people rejoicing in their faith through her efforts gave her the energy to continue and filled her with happiness.
Looking back, she believes God, who had accompanied her like a shadow throughout her life, called her to be a “missionary” at the perfect time. Despite growing up in church and attending Adventist schools, her relationship with God had remained primarily her parents’ God or the God taught in school. She had made little effort to meet God personally.
However, the God she encountered on the mission field was not a conceptual or educational figure. He was always present, right by her side. The PCM missionary experience became an opportunity to realize how precious and grateful she was for this faith.
“Perhaps if I had faced challenges in the past, I would have stubbornly tried to overcome them on my own or been someone who let go of God first. But the warmth of God’s presence and the Holy Spirit working in my heart led me to this mission field.”
“Why Did You Apply?”
When asked about her most memorable moment during the mission, she reflected on her interactions with others.
“There was one youth I thought would take a long time to accept God—or maybe wouldn’t believe. Judging by human standards, I doubted their spiritual journey. But I prayed fervently for them. One day, that person asked me, ‘Why did you apply to be a missionary?'”
She happily and earnestly explained the God she had encountered in broken Chinese. This was the first time this individual had asked her about faith, and it was a significant moment, as she tangibly felt the Holy Spirit still working in their hearts.
God’s Precious Children
Why is global mission work important for Adventist youth today? As a peer facing an era of intense competition and uncertainty, Ko EunJin sees significance in this work through the lens of her generation’s struggles.
“Young people today are prone to relying on themselves rather than God amidst fierce competition,” she observed. “But this mindset often leaves them feeling lonelier and more vulnerable, making them more susceptible to emotional wounds from their surroundings.”
As someone who shares these struggles, she wishes to teach others how to depend on God. “Helping others understand that they are God’s precious creations and teaching them how to love themselves rightly is incredibly important and necessary,” she said.
She wholeheartedly recommends the PCM missionary program to her peers. The experiences gained through this work are invaluable. She is confident that the lessons learned during this year will help her maintain her faith and live as an Adventist youth even after returning to Korea. Sharing her faith with others and discussing spiritual concerns has made her missionary journey deeply meaningful.
“If you’re considering PCM, take time to reflect on your personal experiences with God and organize them in advance. Once you’re in the mission field, you might find it hard to set aside time for deep reflection amidst the busy schedule.”
When asked what advice she would give to youth preparing for the PCM program, Ko EunJin responded, “This is my advice.” Perhaps even now, Ko EunJin is meeting her personal God, walking with Him, and journeying toward Him.
