Faith & Life

Cleaning Even the Hidden Corners

During the school break, the Church of God University Student Volunteer Group (ASEZ) carried out a street cleanup in Christchurch, New Zealand. The event was especially meaningful as it brought together not only ASEZ members from Korea, but also a local environmental group leader and ASEZ members from the University of Canterbury and Ara Institute of Canterbury. The volunteer activity took place along the Avon River and its surrounding trails. According to local officials, the area—popular among residents for walking and exercising—often becomes littered with household waste. We began the cleanup with the goal of improving both the environment and public awareness. Despite the chilly weather and strong winds, every volunteer worked hard at their assigned locations. The riverside and…

Gahng Ryun-gi from Seoul, Korea

Joyful Even in the Rain

On a cloudy and chilly Sunday, the weather forecast predicted a 90% chance of rain right at the time we were scheduled to carry out a street cleanup. We were concerned about whether the activity could go ahead as planned. Not long after we began, heavy rain started pouring, just as predicted. We ran to a nearby small shelter to take cover. Huddled together under the narrow roof, we waited for the rain to stop, chatting and singing songs to lift our spirits. The rain lasted for about an hour, leaving the streets muddy, but our determination remained unshaken. Some of us rolled up our sleeves and used shovels to gather the mud-covered trash. Others sang cheerfully to keep everyone’s…

Tapiwa Toruvanda from Harare, Zimbabwe

Creating a Future Free of Crime

ASEZ, the university student volunteer group of the Church of God, identifies global issues and puts creative solutions into practice. On this occasion, we visited elementary, middle, and high schools near our campuses and conducted “Reduce Crime Together (RCT) School,” a character education program for crime prevention through collaboration. Today’s youth, the leaders of tomorrow, are increasingly exposed to various crimes. As university students who have recently passed through that stage of life, we wanted to help our younger peers develop sound thinking and grow up in a safe environment. With that goal in mind, members from Dong-A University and Busan Health University joined forces to deliver the RCT School program to nearby high school students. It was our first…

ASEZ from Dong-A University and Busan Health University, Korea

Planting Gratitude and Joy in the Rain

In early July 2024, around 80 members of the Syari Church in Gangtok, Sikkim, India, participated in a tree-planting activity to combat climate change and prevent desertification. The Forest Department provided 210 saplings to support the effort. Although the planting site was in a remote area that required passing through a police checkpoint, the activity proceeded smoothly with the department’s assistance. On the day of the event, heavy rain began falling in the morning, yet the members’ faces remained bright. The rain, which continued throughout the day, was regarded as a “blessed rain” granted by God. Newly planted saplings must be watered generously to take root and grow well, and thanks to the rain, there was no need to bring…

Syari Church, Gangtok, SK, India

Opening Hearts With a Heartfelt Snack

I have been working at a freight transportation company with about 70 employees for five years. While I don’t face major difficulties in my work, I’ve always pondered how I could reveal the glory of God in the workplace. Then, I had the opportunity to carry out a snack-sharing activity with the members of ASEZ WAO visiting from Korea. It felt as though God was providing a way to share His love at work. At the time, more than half of our department was working remotely, so there weren’t many people to give snacks to. I delivered one to the company president. After reviewing the ASEZ WAO brochure, he responded positively to the group’s activities. The next day, I introduced…

Kim Hyeon-hwa from Hamburg, Germany

Words Are Mightier Than the Sword

When I was in high school, I often saw university student members of the Church of God University Student Volunteer Group (ASEZ) actively engaging in diverse volunteer activities. Watching them inspired me, and I promised myself that I would definitely become a member once I reached that age. As soon as I entered university, I joined ASEZ. However, it was also when COVID-19 began to spread. Most activities became restricted, and I had little opportunity to volunteer. I was very disappointed, as I had strongly hoped to participate in various services like delivering coal briquettes, cleaning streets, and distributing heartfelt lunch boxes. Then, I heard that ASEZ was launching a “Ban on Verbal Abuse” campaign. I immediately visited the ASEZ…

Choi Eun-bi from Incheon, Korea

For a Better Life

I often volunteer as a teaching assistant for computer classes at an organization that supports the well-being of foreigners. These classes, designed for adult learners, proceed slowly, focusing on basic knowledge and practical exercises tailored to the students’ skill levels. Even so, since the keyboard layout is unfamiliar, many students who are not fluent in Korean type slowly. Sometimes they fall behind and struggle to keep up. That is when the teaching assistant steps in, guiding them to the correct key positions and helping them stay on track. It doesn’t require exceptional computer skills or involve anything particularly difficult, so being called a “teacher” sometimes feels undeserved. But to these foreign students, I am just as much a teacher as…

Jeong So-yeong from Hwaseong, Korea

Save Up Happiness, Bit by Bit!

Happiness may pass like a gentle breeze—here one moment, gone the next. But when we feel it again and again, it begins to stay with us. So what if we saved it up, little by little, so it lingers longer in our hearts? Let’s call it a Happiness Account. You can make deposits into your own Happiness Account through gratitude. Or, you can help fill someone else’s by offering kind words and thoughtful actions that lift their spirits. When families join in, happiness grows with interest—just like compound savings. This month, try filling your own Happiness Account—and your family’s—bit by bit. A strong balance of happiness might just be life’s greatest wealth. Tip How to Use Your Happiness Account Make…

A Small Tree’s Misjudgment

Next to a tall tree with thick, lush leaves stood a small tree with sparse foliage. The small tree believed it wasn’t growing well because of the large tree beside it. "That big tree is blocking all the sunlight." "If only that tree weren’t here, I could grow tall, too." "I’m suffering because of that tree!" One day, a woodcutter passed by, spotted the tall tree, and decided it would make good timber. He cut it down and carried it away. The small tree rejoiced, certain that it could now grow tall and strong. But before long, the small tree withered and collapsed. It had been too weak to endure the harsh sunlight and strong winds on its own. In…

Even the Smallest Things

“A small ray of sunlight can shine through a tiny hole. It’s not the large boulders, but the small pebbles that people trip over.” British author Arthur Conan Doyle reminded us of the importance of small things. Indeed, what we overlook can sometimes lead to unexpected trouble down the road. At the same time, even the smallest act may hold the key to solving a problem. To guard against misfortune that creeps in unnoticed—and to steadily build a life filled with opportunities and blessings—we must learn to value the little things and care for them with intention.

Why Humanity Was Able to Reach the Moon for the First Time

The first spacecraft to land on the Moon often veered off its intended course on the way there. Yet it was still able to arrive safely on the Moon because its target was constantly kept in sight. Neil Armstrong, captain of Apollo 11, said: “Whenever the spacecraft strayed even slightly off course, we immediately made corrections. Each time we veered off, we corrected it again and again. Thanks to that, we were able to safely reach our destination, the Moon.”

Just Start

Todmorden, a town in West Yorkshire, England, was once a center of the textile industry. But its factories had long since shut down, and unemployment was high. By 2008, the global financial crisis had left the town's economy seemingly beyond recovery. In response, a few residents came together to find a way to revive their town. Realizing that people especially need food in hard times, they began by planting vegetables on unused land. During harvest time, they hung signs that read, “Please help yourself.” The effect was profound. The kindness of sharing food spread throughout the community, and the town came back to life. Encouraged by the positive power of planting vegetables, more citizens joined in. This became the start…

A Son to Be Proud Of

During World War II, Dwight David Eisenhower served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. He played a key role in bringing the war to an end with the success of the Normandy landings, earning him national hero status. Around that time, a reporter asked his mother, “You must be proud to have such a remarkable son.” She replied, “Which son are you talking about?” It was only after the reporter mentioned Eisenhower’s name that she realized which of her sons he meant. Eisenhower was the third of seven brothers. Despite their humble life, his parents loved all their children equally and raised them to become upright individuals. Even though Eisenhower had become someone widely recognized and…

The Man Who Gained Freedom

There was once a man sentenced by the court to 13 years in prison—yet he never spent a single day behind bars. In fact, he was ultimately exempted from serving his sentence, thanks to the petitions of countless supporters. But how could that be? Cornelius Mike Anderson, a man living in the United States, was convicted in his twenties for participating in a robbery and was sentenced to prison. After losing his appeal, he waited to be taken into custody. But as time went on, the authorities failed to carry out his incarceration. Instead of fleeing or hiding, Anderson chose to turn his life around. He started a small business, raised a loving family, and became a model citizen. Thirteen…

Home: Where I Can Be My True Self

The French writer André Maurois once said that home is “the only place where we can show ourselves just as we are.” At one time or another, we all find ourselves hiding our true feelings or wearing a mask in front of others. After such exhausting moments, our heavy steps feel lighter as we approach home—because waiting for us is family, the ones with whom we can be fully ourselves, free from pretense. Home is a precious place, given to us as a refuge where love soothes our weary hearts and tired bodies, and where we regain the strength to face another day.

Why Ducks Swim in a Line

Have you ever seen a family of ducks swimming in a river or lake? When the mother duck swims at the front, the ducklings line up and follow behind her. While it may look like they’re simply following her in an orderly fashion, there’s actually a scientific reason behind it. A team of researchers from the U.S. and the U.K. published a paper explaining how the waves created by the mother duck affect the ducklings swimming behind her. The water pressure a duck experiences differs between calm and wavy conditions. When ducklings follow the mother in a line, the resistance they face decreases compared with when swimming in still water, allowing them to move forward with greater ease. The waves…

When the Cup Is Full

A newly appointed county magistrate arrived in a village. Having passed the state exam with top honors at a young age, he was proud of his achievements and sought out the village’s most respected elder. “What do you believe is the most important virtue in governing this village?” the magistrate asked. The elder replied simply, “To avoid evil and do good as much as possible.” The magistrate frowned. “Even a child knows that! Are you making light of me?” The elder, calm and composed, said nothing. Instead, he offered the magistrate a cup of tea. As he poured, the tea reached the brim—but he kept pouring. It spilled over the edges and onto the floor. “Sir, the cup is full!…

Wise Persuasion

Richard Feynman, the genius physicist often mentioned alongside Einstein as one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, was also known for his eccentric personality. In 1965, he was selected to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work in redefining quantum mechanics. However, he almost refused the prize simply because he found the idea of traveling to Sweden too bothersome. His wife, realizing his stubbornness, came up with a clever way to persuade him. “Honey, who would ever turn down such a prestigious award just because it’s inconvenient?” “But if I go, I’ll have to meet so many people, do interviews . . . just thinking about it wears me out. I’d rather spend that time…

Good Soil

For a seed to grow and bear abundant fruit, it must fall on good soil. Since a seed cannot move once it has taken root, the type of soil it is planted in is crucial to its growth. So what exactly makes soil good for plants? The quality of soil is determined by its properties. Good soil is well-drained and breathable, allowing water and oxygen to flow freely. It is also rich in microorganisms. These microorganisms—similar to the gut bacteria that support our immune system—constantly break down the remains of plants and animals, supplying nutrients to growing plants and helping prevent pests and disease. The very structure of soil that allows for drainage and aeration is shaped by the activity…

As Long as You Don’t Lose Your Balance

Jultagi, or tightrope walking, is a Korean intangible cultural heritage in which performers walk across a rope suspended in midair while showcasing acrobatics, dance, and even song. The rope they walk on is just 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) thick. The only tool used for balance is a simple fan held in one hand. As the tightrope walker sways on the rope, it often looks as if they might fall at any moment, making the audience hold their breath in suspense. Yet the performer continues forward, step by step—sometimes crouching and rising again using the rope’s rebound, or even leaping into the air with incredible precision. What allows the performer to move so freely on such a precarious rope is this:…