Worldwide University Student Leadership Conference 2023

“I’m excited to meet university students from all over the world. The 16-hour flight didn’t feel long.” Inanui-Ki-Te-Rangi Rauwina from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

“This will be the best week in my life.” Timothy White II from Tufts University Graduate School, U.S.

When the young people of different races and languages were asked about their impression of visiting Korea, they gave various answers. Although they flew for quite a long time, a few hours or a few days, they did not look tired. They came to Korea to take part in the “Worldwide University Student Leadership Conference 2023,” leaving their long-awaited summer vacation, leisure, and other plans behind.

The Church of God holds leadership conferences for young adults around the world to nurture talented global citizens who will contribute to society and create a bright future for humankind and the earth. For this, young adult workers visited Korea in June, and university students in July. The Worldwide University Student Leadership Conference was held for seven days and eight nights from July 5 to 12, mainly at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple in Korea. About 3,000 university student members from 500 universities in 42 countries, including Korea, U.S., Argentina, Philippines, France, Australia, and Namibia, participated in it.

Protagonists of Prophecy Soared Up With Faith

At the opening worship service on the 5th, Heavenly Mother prayed that overflowing blessings of the Holy Spirit be upon the university students who display God’s glory on and off campus by devoting themselves to their studies as well as the gospel in accordance with the prophecy of the Bible that young adults like the dew of the dawn would devote themselves joyfully on the day of Lord’s battle. Mother enlightened them to the value of the truth, wanting them to take pride as God’s children. She said, “You are the figures of prophecy, who will rise vigorously.” Being with the members throughout the conference schedule, Mother sent generous support for the members. Mother also spoke about the leadership of Father, who planted vision for the world mission in young adults on the basis of the prophecies of the Bible in the early days of the Church of God when it was a house church. Mother wanted university students to have faith in the prophecies and lead the world to the right path. “If you believe in God and go forward, God will help you. You can achieve everything things if you believe and put it into practice. So, boldly pursue your dreams with undying passion,” said Mother and all the participants shouted, “Amen!” (Ps 110:3; Isa 60; 33:20–24; 43:1–3).

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol was with university students through the special lecture and vision presentations, and he emphasized faith as a virtue they needed. Citing the histories of Joshua and Gideon, who overcame difficulties with faith, Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized, “You will see the way if you have the eyes of faith, not the eyes of hesitation or doubt.” He asked them to have a great vision with confidence in the bright future that God promised them (Heb 11:6).

Realizing the Word of God and Learning From Each Other

The conference consisted of the Special Lecture by Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, the Worldwide Campus Mission Vision Presentation, and a Bible Preaching Contest. Remembering God’s command to become the salt and light of this dark world, the students renewed their determination to shine the light of truth on 20,000 campuses around the world.

The presentations on excellent examples of university students from each country, too, drew attention of the participants. The students who studied hard while earning their tuition fees with part-time jobs, without missing the blessing of the gospel, awakened many other participants. The participants who had gained knowledge and experiences through club activities in various fields such as academic studies and volunteer services, shared their realization through presentations on excellent club activities around the world, and made plans to spend the rest of their campus life meaningfully. At the Global ASEZ Summit, the university students looked for directions to make a sustainable society, and discussed on practical actions.

The participants forged a strong unity beyond language and cultural barriers, agreeing that they had learned a lot from each other and also from God’s word. Sister Kim Ji-soo, a student from Seoul National University, said, “During the conference, I was very happy beyond description. I was able to broaden my perspective on the gospel by learning from the passionate students from all over the world.” Brother Hilario Alexandre Ubisse, a student from Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique, said, “Listening to the stories of students from all over the world who have faith and vision, I was convinced of what I must do to make my dream come true.” Brother Rabin Nembang, a student from Tribhuvan University Graduate School of Education, Nepal, said, “I’m studying politics and diplomacy. I want to become a global leader who resolves conflicts between countries through Mother’s love that I learned in Korea.”

Worldwide Campus Mission Vision Explanation 2023

On July 9, Worldwide Campus Mission Vision Presentation 2023 was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. More than 9,000 people, including domestic university students and middle and high school students, attended the event. At this event, members from prestigious universities such as Technical University of Munich, University of Texas, University of Cape Town, University of Zurich, and Villanova University, introduced the IUBA (International University Student Bible Academy) and ASEZ (Church of God University Student Volunteer Group) activities, and presented their vision for the campus mission. Various programs such as united choir, performances, and musicals by Korean and overseas university students moved all the audience. Before the event, a “K-Food” experience zone was prepared for overseas students.

Sister Lee Eun-ji, a graduate student from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, encouraged the participants, saying, “Remembering Heavenly Father’s words, ‘The secret of great success begins in your youth,’ let us never stop challenging our dreams.”

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