Education for Pre-Young Adults: “Young Adults, Have Big Dreams!”

On November 24, an educational event for pre-young adults was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. Over 8,000 participants attended, including high school seniors, their parents, university students, young adult workers, guidance teachers for middle and high school students and young adults, and pastoral staff. The event was designed to support high school seniors who were transitioning from their teenage years to college or the workforce.

Growing Into Young Adults Who Will Lead the World

Students wrapping up their adolescence with the hectic demands of college entrance exams and job preparations often feel a sense of liberation once the intense competition and worries subside, yet they may also experience temporary feelings of anxiety and emptiness. Every year, the Church of God offers encouragement to help them prepare for the future with the right values and teachings of God.

In the worship service during the first part of the event, Heavenly Mother prayed that the students, who had devoted themselves to their studies to achieve their dreams and goals, would grow into great talents. She invoked the faith and courage of forefathers like Daniel and David, encouraging them with the words, “God helps us, so don’t be afraid. Let’s move forward.” Additionally, in these times of disaster and conflict, Mother planted a vision for the students to lead the world with kind words and actions, as beautiful as flower buds, imitating God, who is love (Eph 5:1–4).

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol delivered a message titled “Those Who Prepare for the Future,” emphasizing the values that teenagers and young adults should embrace. He urged the participants to “broaden their perspective to the future that God has promised them, rather than focusing on the momentary life they face.” He encouraged them to lead humanity to blessings through love, consideration, and altruism taught by God, who is our greatest coach (Rev 22:3–5).

The special lecture video emphasized the importance of having a vision in young adulthood. It presented the vision given to young adults and the blessings they receive from God, reassuring those who might feel frustrated or impatient when planning for the future. The examples of seniors who had meaningfully engaged in selfless activities through the International University Student Bible Academy (IUBA), the International Young Adult Worker Bible Academy (IWBA), and the International Military Bible Academy (IMBA)—helping neighbors all around the world and responding to the climate crisis—raised hopes for a bright future for the young people. The cheerful cheering from seniors, shown in videos, brought bursts of laughter from the audience. When the participants recited their resolutions to put into practice what they had learned that day, Mother applauded them warmly, blessing them to shine like stars in the future. 


Toward a Hopeful Future With Everyone’s Support

Throughout the day, various experience and food booths were set up by young adults and their parents in front of the main building of the institute. Through the panel exhibition, seniors introduced various educational programs and activities of the Church of God University Student Volunteer Group (ASEZ) and Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group (ASEZ WAO). Hoping that pre-young adults would spend their college or work lives meaningfully and without regrets, they wittily explained activities, dressed as workers and soldiers of the 1990s. The snack booths, organized by members from the Daejeon and Chungcheong regions, bustled with visitors. They offered popular foods among pre-young adults, such as sausage and rice cake skewers, green onion chicken, pancakes, and rose tteokbokki (pink sauce), which greatly encouraged them.

After the event, the participants expressed their aspirations. Brother Sim Jeong-tae from Geochang, who was preparing to enter college, said, “Entering my 20s, I was most worried about interpersonal relationships. But reflecting on what I learned today, I’ve become confident that we can overcome any difficulties if I put love into practice through kind words and good deeds as God’s children.” Sister Baek Min-jeong from Gwangmyeong said, “I was under a lot of pressure before my new beginning, but I’ve gained confidence after attending today’s event. I want to boldly challenge myself and fulfill my dream, relying on God, who is always with me.”

Deaconess Kang Ji-yeon from Asan, who has a high school senior daughter, said, “Looking at my daughter, I think she’s grown a lot, but at the same time, she still feel like a baby. I pray for her all the time because the world is tough, but the church has nicely prepared my child to grow without losing focus.”

With everyone’s support, the pre-young adults left the institute with confident steps, carrying a clear blueprint for their future in mind.

카카오톡 공유하기