As we began yesterday’s church bazaar, we repeated three simple slogans: Be joyful! Be thankful! And don’t fight trying to do a good job!
The purpose of the bazaar is not simply to raise money. Its greater purpose is to share joy with our neighbors and to experience the blessing of serving together. The joy of working side by side is far more important than the amount of money we raise.
Beginning this coming week, the KCS Senior Center will move into our Vision Center. From Monday through Friday, meals and various programs will be provided for senior citizens from morning until late afternoon. Because of space limitations for the 300–400 participants who are expected each day, meal times and programs will rotate throughout the day. Nine chefs will prepare quality meals every day.
This partnership with KCS represents a God-given opportunity. One of the largest Korean-American social service organizations in New York and a church committed to serving the community are joining together for the good of our neighbors. I hope we will embrace this new opportunity for local mission and ministry with gratitude and enthusiasm.
We are not renting out our building because of financial difficulties. Of course, there will be challenges whenever a facility is shared. KCS will be responsible for the basic management of the space during its use. From late afternoon through the weekend, all our regular church ministries and programs can continue without difficulty. Most importantly, our sanctuary, educational facilities, and spacious fourth floor remain fully available for church use. Naturally, the nearly $400,000 in annual rental income will also help support the ministry and operation of our church.
A renovation committee for the Prayer Center has also been organized. For more than a year we have been exploring plans to transform the first floor into a welcoming space for children and youth and the second floor into a prayer and healing center. Recently, the Administrative Board decided to move forward more actively with this project, and for that I am grateful. I also hope that more ministry initiatives will be led not only by the pastoral team but by the lay leadership of the church.
Beginning in August, Rev. Yohan Go will join our ministry team as Executive Pastor, and Rev. Juhee Lee will join us as an Associate Pastor. With these additions, we now have more effective pastoral team. We have experienced many challenges due to a shortage of pastoral staff, and I want to sincerely thank all of you who faithfully stepped in and served during that difficult season.
As your Senior Pastor, I am excited and hopeful about the new season God is opening before us. I look forward to seeing His work of renewal, restoration, and revival among us.
May we continue building His church together with joy, gratitude, and faith.