Where Love Made Real, Transforms Lives
As the long days of summer fade and the vibrant colors of autumn begin to touch the foliage, ECKCM 2024 feels like a beautiful dream from the distant past. Yet, I want to take a moment to reflect on some key aspects of its organization and the highlights from this year's event.
One of the most unique aspects of ECKCM’s leadership is its continuity. In the English Ministry (EM) Administrative team, leaders commit for the long term—many of the current team members have been serving for at least three years, some even twelve. For an organization of this type, representing hundreds of churches from across the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern United States, and running a program for all ages without financial backing from conferences or churches, this continuity is essential. ECKCM relies entirely on funds generated from meals, room and board, and offerings raised during the event. The fact that we can run a weeklong program for hundreds of people under these constraints is nothing short of a miracle.
While most organizations would focus on the minutiae of logistics to ensure things run smoothly, our leadership—particularly in the EM—has maintained a clear vision for the bigger picture. This continuity has led to steady improvements in the management and execution of ECKCM over the last dozen years.
One of the most significant improvements last year was the introduction of a simple and user-friendly online registration system. Registration had been a longstanding challenge for ECKCM, as we had been using an outdated paper-based system. Not only did this make it difficult to manage, but it also prevented us from accurately gauging attendance until the event was underway. This made it difficult to plan and price effectively, often relying on guesswork and previous years' data. With online registration, we could now anticipate how many attendees would be in each age group and plan accordingly. Even more, we partnered with a payment processing company that only requested donations for its services, saving ECKCM thousands of dollars in fees.
The "big picture" of ECKCM is to create a spiritually enriching yet fun week. It’s a time for fellowship, meeting people from across the country, all while centering everything on Jesus. When it comes to fun, ECKCM delivers. The week is packed with engaging events, including basketball and volleyball tournaments, Performance Night, BOTA (a field day competition between age groups), and the Gonzoine 5K. And after each full day of activities, the Afterglow Cafe offers a relaxed space for people to gather and enjoy treats like mango boba, mandoo, and nengmyun.
However, if we were simply trying to provide entertainment, we couldn’t compete with what the world offers. What makes ECKCM special is its spiritual focus. Throughout the week, there are powerful messages from great speakers tailored to each department. This year’s theme, “Love Made Real,” was based on the first two chapters of Steps to Christby Ellen G. White, and God’s love was indeed made real on many levels.
One of the most moving moments of the week was Pastor David Shin’s baptism appeal following his sermon. Forty-four young people responded, choosing to be baptized. The tears shed that day were of joy and gratitude, as we witnessed the seeds planted throughout the week take root in the hearts of our youth. For the planners and leaders of ECKCM, this was the true measure of success.
On a personal note, ECKCM holds a special place in my heart. I am so proud of what it stands for and the impact it has on the Korean Seventh-day Adventist community and beyond. Whether you are a committed Seventh-day Adventist or someone on the fringes, there is a place for you at ECKCM. I ask for your prayers for the leadership as they prepare for ECKCM 2025, and I encourage you to consider attending—you won’t regret it.
Please check out ECKCM.com to see video clips, sermon recordings, and other information about ECKCM!