The Koreans are Coming!

Rev. Sam Yoon (London Korean Presbyterian Church)

We are preparing once again for a summer of short-term mission work in a First Nation community. For more than twenty years, our church has partnered with Kettle & Stony Point First Nation, a community on the shores of Lake Huron just over an hour from London, Ontario. Over the years, God has allowed us to build a relationship marked by trust, affection, and mutual blessing. Each summer, when our camp poster goes up, people in the community often say with joy, “The Koreans are Coming!” Those simple words capture something deeply meaningful: this mission has become a cherished sign of love, consistency, and hope. This mission is significant not only for the children and youth in the community, but also for our own congregation. Year after year, we return expectant, knowing that God always has fresh blessings and surprises prepared for us. It has truly been a gift to both the community and our church. One of the most encouraging fruits of this long-term commitment is that the young people in Kettle Point are beginning to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. In a time when many youth pastors find it increasingly difficult to reach the hearts of young people, we have seen a quiet but powerful work of God. Some who first came to our camp as children are now participating in youth ministry, and several are growing stronger in their faith in Christ. This work has also opened new doors. Local pastors have begun reaching out to us about partnering together to connect with more youth in the community. We are excited to see how God will lead us in this new season of shared ministry. At the same time, this mission has profoundly shaped our own church. Many of our young people have matured spiritually through their involvement, discovering what it means to serve, persevere, and depend on God. One of the distinctive strengths of this mission is

the way we prepare. For one week of mission, our team commits to three months of spiritual preparation. At the heart of that preparation is daily personal QT, with team members encouraging and holding one another accountable by sharing what they are learning in small groups and with the entire team. Over the years, I have witnessed again and again how powerful the Word of God transforms the lives of our youth. In post-mission evaluations, when we ask what impacted them most, it is not unusual to hear that the daily QT was the most meaningful part of the entire experience. In the past, some of our young people hesitated to sign up because of the long commitment. They did not want to feel tied down for the summer. But now, more and more are volunteering eagerly—either because they themselves were changed through the mission, or because they have seen how God has worked in the lives of others. That is why I believe this mission is truly a blessing from God. He uses us to bless others, and in His grace, that blessing returns to us in ways we never expected. Even now, there is a growing sense of anticipation—both in Kettle Point and in our own churches we look ahead to another summer together. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to take part in this mission once again, and I look forward to seeing how God will continue to pour out His blessing through it. To Him alone be all the glory.