Faith Trip: Where it All Began
2,500 miles, 30 hours, and faith the size of a mustard seed.
It all began with a burden to see revival among young Korean American Seventh-day Adventists. Not the “revival” that we’ve come too familiar with—one that is short-lived and simply the by-product of a camp meeting or weekend retreat—but a true revival manifested by a life fully devoted to the service of God. As Sister White puts it: a revival of true godliness.
With that burden on my heart, God began the work of Faith Trip. During a conference in Southern California called iShare, I, along with two other Korean American youth, discussed the urgent need for revival in our church community. As we reflected on common threads that united each of our revival experiences, two major components stood out: the work of literature evangelism, and the exposure to non-Korean young people who were radically committed to Jesus reflected through Bible-based living.
With those two components in mind, the inspiration for Faith Trip was born. A group of young people would drive from Southern California to Orlando, Florida for the annual GYC (Generation of Youth For Christ) conference. Departing with empty pockets and a van full of maga-books, the money that would be needed to continue fueling gas tanks and hungry stomachs would be money that was earned only by door-to-door literature evangelism in five major cities along the way.
On December 26th, 2013 twelve young disciples departed from Cerritos Korean SDA Church on a Faith Trip. For the next six days they would be on the road ministering to lost souls and depending solely on God to provide for all their needs. It was a venture that would require fervent prayer and fully surrendered hearts—a situation that could only be successful with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit.
As I reflect back on the trip that forever changed all of our lives, I stand greatly humbled. The Almighty power of God was witnessed by twelve young people—twelve weak, feeble, inexperienced individuals who offered nothing but wholly consecrated hearts to the service of God and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Stories of miraculous answers to prayer and undeniable works of the Lord remain as testament to the promised result of faith. That which we heard, that which we saw, and that which our hands handled–was the Word of Life. Not one could deny it.
While Faith Trip 2013 ended three months ago, the spirit of Faith Trip still lives on. Each one of the twelve returned to their respective lives in different parts of the country. Some to universities, while others to jobs and ministries. But each returned with a different spirit and mission—to do the work of Jesus Christ and hasten His second coming. It was a beginning of revival. True revival.
“A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs.” Ellen G. White
