School Year Opening Worship for Students 2025

On February 23, early spring arrived at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. Like fresh green sprouts, students gathered for the “School Year Opening Worship for Students 2025.” Despite the chilly breeze, their lively conversations and laughter brought warmth and energy to the institute.

The Church of God encourages young people to develop upright character based on faith and to approach their school life with confidence. To support them, the church holds the worship service before the new school year begins. About 11,000 members attended the event, including middle and high school students, their parents, student teachers, and the pastoral staff.

In front of the main building, outdoor booths were set up with a variety of delicious treats prepared by local church members to cheer on the students. The spread included dakgangjeong (crispy Korean fried chicken), hotteok (sweet pancakes), tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), fruit cups, and eomuk (skewered fish cakes), delighting their senses with irresistible flavors and aromas. On the second floor of the main building, senior students set up large booths to introduce activities such as International Student Bible Academy (ISBA) and Church of God Student Volunteer Group (ASEZ STAR) to the attendees. At each booth, participants could listen to the activity descriptions and answer related quizzes to win prizes, offering both useful information and fun.

In the first part of the worship service, Heavenly Mother blessed them by praying, “Let the students meditate on God’s word, glorify God wherever they go, receive praise as children of God and spread the fragrance of Christ.” She also prayed for them to grow with the courage of David and the faith and resolve of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Mother expressed gratitude to their parents, saying, “Behind every student is their parents who grow them with love.”

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol expressed his joy to meet the students, saying, “Seeing your dignified appearances, I truly believe in the words of Heavenly Father, ‘The students are the future of the gospel.’ “ He added, “God created mountains, fields, and seas when there was nothing on the earth, and filled the heavens and earth with creatures,” reminding everyone that “the God who created everything from nothing is with us. If we trust in Him, stay faithful to the gospel and school studies, and face our dreams without fear, both today and tomorrow, we will see great changes in ourselves” (Ge 1:1–2; Isa 41:10–13).

In the second part of the event, the awards ceremony was held to encourage students who set good examples in school life and their life of faith. Forty-nine students received awards in categories such as the ISBA Academic Excellence Award and ASEZ Star Volunteer Service Excellence Award. Additionally, certificates were presented to the top ten performers in the “3rd Student Bible Preaching Contest” held during the vacation period by each Church Association.

The ISBA program was introduced, and the curriculum and activities were presented through videos of dance performances by students from around the world, and witty engaging skits. The event kept everyone entertained without a dull moment. The students’ upright faith was evident in the demonstration presentation by the winner of the Bible Preaching Contest, who preached in a calm and confident tone. In the ISBA activity example presentation, the audience glimpsed the daily lives of students who remain dedicated to their faith and schoolwork, while also taking the lead in good deeds, making the most of their school years.

Heavenly Mother praised the students for their efforts to practice God’s word in their respective places and commended them for embodying “faith, courage, sacrifice, and dedication.” Mother encouraged the students to honor their parents and focus on God’s teachings.

Lee Hee-seung from Siheung, who presented an excellent example, said, “My mom always listens to my worries and hugs me, helping me find peace of mind. Reflecting on the past while preparing my presentation, I realized even more how much my mom’s love means to me. I’m grateful that God sent mothers as those to fill what He wanted to provide for us, children.” Kim Da-som from Changwon said, “Every time I attend the School Year Opening Worship, the vague dreams I had become more concrete. I decided to pursue a career in public relations and marketing in order to go overseas and display God’s glory when I graduate, worthy of the title, ‘The Future of the Gospel.’ “ Park Gye-suk from Yongin, a parent and youth teacher, said, “I think the School Year Opening Worship will be helpful for students who are uncertain about their academic or career paths. I hope they move forward with confidence, knowing that God is with them and will help them achieve their dreams.”

카카오톡 공유하기