ⓒ 2005 WATV

This is the 60th year of Korea's Independence from Japanese colonial. On the Independence Day, Korean brothers and sisters engraved the importance of their nation and of freedom on their hearts, and they also reminded the spirit of their patriot martyrs for national independence. On this day, the spiritual independence fighters desired the independence of the truth and had a meaningful time at the 2005 Preaching Summer School which was held by the Overseas Department of the Head Office.

This summer school was held at Elohim Training Institute, surrounded by green mountains, from the 14th to the 15th of August. The members who were selected through the Foreign Language Bible Preaching Festivals and the Selection Festivals for Foreign Language Bible Teachers gathered at the Institute full of delicious scent of ripening apples. They were acknowledged to be foreign language Bible teachers as they passed the final test on May 19. More than 200 members gathered and confirmed their will to take part in the overseas mission for the independence of the truth, bearing in mind the word, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Mt 24:14)."

This summer school was held to educate the teachers to improve their ability of preaching in a foreign language. They spent most time having discussions, seminars and conversations for more effective overseas missions. On the first day, Pastor Shim Jae-jin from the Overseas Department addressed, "It is our duty to secure a bridgehead for the overseas mission so that the truth of God can be preached to the ends of the earth as prophesied in the Bible," "Our assignment is to preach God's love to the foreigners who don't know the truth yet and to help them, who received the truth in Korea, realize God's word so that they can preach the truth in their own countries." He also showed his hope, "I hope this summer school will be a good opportunity for you to share information and confirm your will and passion for the overseas gospel."

ⓒ 2005 WATV

The members in 11 groups, each of 20 members, were given an education in the 1st Hall by their instructors. They deepened their truthful knowledge about 12 subjects and improved their preaching skill in a foreign language. Particularly all the classes were run in a foreign language. The instructors taught first and the participants practiced next, so not only did they learn theory, but they also improved their ability which can be used in actuality. In front of the fervor of the instructors and the participants, the hot summer seemed to be shameful..

They also watched a video of the overseas members who preach the gospel abroad. They were greatly impressed by the overseas members who realize God's love and sacrifice and preach the truth enthusiastically. Through the earnest voices of the overseas members, asking God to make them the workers of the gospel who can spread His love to the whole world, the participants made a firm resolution to be the workers of the gospel themselves first and to preach the truth with all their heart, since they are in the hometown of the truth of the new covenant.

ⓒ 2005 WATV

In the evening of the first day, "A Seminar on Successful Overseas Mission" was held to make a better plan for the overseas gospel work. During the seminar they thought again about their attitude of mind toward the mission and their role as the chosen with a talent of speaking in a foreign language. They also shared the experiences and impressions of those who had successful experiences of preaching in foreign countries. Listening to them who'd made every effort to find God's children in strange countries, the participants could plan their overseas mission more concretely. On the next day as well, they had an education in each group and then an integrated education. Through the integrated education, the members could learn to preach clearly and logically.

After the education, each of members said, "I give thanks to God for allowing me to be here even though I don't speak English well. I've wanted to go abroad to spread the gospel, but haven't many chances to preach in English. During this summer school I practiced a lot and could find what I need when I preach to a foreigner. When I go back, I will proclaim the gospel boldly with what I learned here," "It was very hard to express my feelings and impressions whenever I preached to a foreigner, but here, I learned how. If I have a chance to go abroad again, I'd like to deliver God's love to them more in detail and seriously."

ⓒ 2005 WATV

Pastor Ji Bong-geun who managed the education said, "Since all the participants passed many tests and were selected as foreign language Bible teachers, we educated deep things and they had no problem in understanding them and tried hard to learn more. I am very satisfied," "God told us to preach in Samaria and to the ends of the earth with the full armor of God's words in this age, so we are planning to hold more preaching schools. I hope all the members who are willing to participate in overseas mission will put on the full armor of the Holy Spirit and testify about the Christ who came in the flesh to all nations."

The truth of the new covenant has been preached in about 100 countries. Still there are many children of God who are looking for the light of the truth in the darkness. We hope all the members, who have put on the full armor of the words with the ability of speaking in other tongues, will have a wider viewpoint like Apostle Paul and run to the ends of the earth, preaching the truth to everyone who is looking for salvation. We hope the day will come soon when the heavenly children scattered over all nations will see the light and run to the New Jerusalem like clouds and like doves.