Happiness we can't enjoy elsewhere in the world
Photo 1: Students praising the Lord's name on day 3 of the 2012 Students' Summer Retreat.


From July 30 to August 2 in 2012, the Students' Summer Retreat was held in Hwangdun Youth Center in Wonju, Gangwon province. Many students not only from Manmin Central Church in Seoul but also from many branch churches in Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Ulsan, Cheonan, Seosan, Masan, Miryang, Gimhae, Tongyeong, Pohang, Gumi, Mokpo, Jeonju, Gangneung, and Chuncheon took part in the retreat. It was the hottest summer season, but they enjoyed the cool weather and overflowing truth, grace, and touching moments.


Seminars and prayer meetings helped students attain spiritual hearts

Through daily seminars and prayer meetings during the retreat students' hearts were greatly touched and they were changed into God's true children. On July 30th, Pastor Taehan Kim, Principal of Students Sunday School, delivered the message "Human Cultivation" taken from Genesis 3:23 and Psalm 105:17-19. He said, "Let's realize God's providence in human cultivation and run the race of faith with the goal of becoming His true children."
On July 31st, Pastor Soojin Lee, President of Pastors' Association, preached the message "Choice" based on Romans 12:1-2. She stated, "What you choose in your school days is very important in your whole life. In addition to studying hard as students, I urge you to choose only truth, goodness, and spirit as well."
On August 1st, Pastor Heesun Lee, General Guidance Pastor of Men's and Women's Mission, delivered the message under the title of "Spirit" from John 4:24. She explained that the heart of spirit always thinks of others first and seeks their benefits. She told the students to achieve such a heart citing Ruth as an example from the Bible.
In prayer meetings after the seminars on the second and third days, students repented that they hadn't kept their faith and had chosen untruth and they renewed their resolutions.



Photo 2: Pastor Taehan Kim's seminar
Photo 3: Golden Bell Bible Quiz


Manmin Students' Praise Contest, Athletic Meet, and Camp Fire Worship & Praise

The students gave glory to God and enjoyed friendly competition demonstrating their talents through various programs. On the first day about 60 students who had passed the preliminary rounds competed in the Golden Bell Bible Quiz. The Grand Prize was awarded to an 8th grader, Sister Eunhae Shim.
In the morning on the second day, the 19th Manmin Students' Praise Contest was held and 12 teams took part in the final round. The Grand Prize went to 11th grader Sister Dasom Chung: her testimony is on page 4. The Golden Prize was awarded to Sister Daseul Jang, Silver Prize to Sister Bomi Lee, and Bronze Prize to Sister Arum Kim, all 12th graders; and the Popularity Prize went to 9th grader Sister Juyeong Kim.
In the morning on the third day, the Athletic Meet was held with the three teams from Central Church and one united branch church team. The branch churches' united team that had won last year won again this year. In the evening, Pastor Heesun Lee led the Camp Fire Worship & Praise. Students wore rings that symbolized the promise with the Lord. They made up their minds to achieve the heart of spirit and whole spirit and enter the most beautiful of the heavenly dwelling places, New Jerusalem, with thanks and joy.



Photo 4: Pastor Soojin Lee's seminar and prayer meeting
Photo 5: The 19th Manmin Students' Praise Contest


Students' active volunteer works

For the retreat, guidance teachers, financial directors, and teachers devoted themselves to dealing with programs and taking care of students in spirit and body. The students themselves worked as members of the volunteer teams: principle of life team, service team, reception team, broadcasting team, and the preparation teams for the Athletic Meet, Praise Contest, and Golden Bell Bible Quiz. Their active volunteer works were wonderful.
Sister Yujeong Choi, the leader of the volunteer team said, "I prepared for this retreat with a longing heart by giving a vowed prayer and fasting since this past month so I could volunteer with more joy and thanks and receive much grace through the seminars. I give thanks to the 80 students of the volunteer team who tried their best to sever others with one heart."
Sister Jiyoung Lee, President of High School Students' Mission said, "I give thanks to God who allowed us to enjoy the cool weather and to the speakers who preached the messages students could understand well in our various student situations, and helped us pray. I'm thankful to the teachers and financial directors who supported us both with their hearts and finances." She went on to say that she expected students who were changed in the retreat would run diligently to become sanctified.



Photo 6: Athletic Meet
Photo 7: Camp Fire Worship & Praise with Pastor Heesun Lee