Leading the Collegiate Group
East Coast Korean Camp Meeting was a true blessing this year. Many months of prayer and planning went into making a week that would be fun, but most importantly, Re:New our relationship with God. This year’s theme was also one of the best, reminding us to Re:Main in Christ.
It is so hard to Re:Main in Christ, especially as a college/graduate student. However, it is SO IMPORTANT to abide in Him. As John 15:4 states, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.” This verse was especially significant to me because I had first-hand experience of how it felt NOT to abide in Christ during this past school year.
It was the winter quarter at La Sierra University, and I was overwhelmed with my classes and work. In graduate school, two classes are considered full time – I was taking three courses that were very Reading and Writing intensive, as well as wrestling with difficult content. On top of school, I also worked at the Learning Disabilities Office and I had some students who required extra dosages of patience. During this time, I was “too busy” to spend time with God. I needed to catch up on school work, or I needed to type up my case notes, or more importantly, I needed sleep--so I didn’t spend time with God. Boy, did lack of the fruits show. I wasn’t replenishing my time with Him, so I was grouchy, unloving, and petulant all the time. I was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained, and school was no longer enjoyable and I especially dreaded going to work.
What I experienced, I’m sure, sounds similar to how leaders of the church feel, sometimes. It is called “burn-out” and it is often caused when we try to do things our own way, without leaning on God. Satan especially enjoys when leaders get burnt out because other church members can see these leaders and get turned off from following Christ. “If so and so couldn’t do, what makes you think I can?” This is why it is truly important to abide in Christ.
Jesus Christ is the vine, which is the life source for the branches. I am a “branch,” otherwise known as a Christian and/or a disciple of God. When we “plug” ourselves into the vine, then we are replenished with the energy and nutrients needed for the day. However, when we don’t abide in the vine and we try to rely on our own energy, we get burnt out. A branch by itself is nothing but a dead stick, one that cannot bear fruit. I realized how important it is to abide in Christ, daily and continuously, because He will provide me with the tools and energy to get through the day. Pastor Jon Kim used the analogy of an electric socket. There is always a current going on in the socket (Jesus) and we are the wire. A wire by itself does not produce any electricity – we need to be plugged into Jesus in order for the current to flow through us. Then and only then, are we able to be used for His purpose.
Camp Meeting is usually a time of stress for leaders and coordinators. This year, thanks to an AMAZING group of leaders who were unified in one vision, it was actually the least stressful of my “collegiate department life.” We began the day Re:Maining in God first, which gave us the life source for the rest of the day. Because the leadership team was unified, it helped unify the whole Collegiate Group as well. The attendees really grew closer to one another during the week, and I pray that they grew closer to God as well.
This was my last year as coordinator of the Collegiate department. I had spent four years with the department, praying for students and watching them grow, while creating new friendships. I am very sad to leave, but I feel so blessed to have been part of such a special movement. I felt even more blessed that my last year was such an AWESOME year as well. I pray that everyone will Re:Main in God and follow His will. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11.
Jessica Chung is originally from New York, but is currently studying to be a school psychologist at La Sierra University in California.