Brother Jaeyoon Kim (California of USA)



Brother Jaeyoon Kim and his family at the graduation (second from the left)

On June 8, when I won the Presidential Award at the high school graduation I was not only surprised, but also glad to find my efforts had not been in vain.
I have a few words I want to share with other students who are studying. They are: "Never give it up", "Believe you can do anything by the help of God", "Be faithful in preparing for school examinations and doing ssignments", "Whenever you need help, go and ask your teacher" and "Humbly learn from your fellow students."

My family immigrated into USA in 2000, and had lived in Las Vegas until we recently moved into Irvine, California to start a ministerial work there.
We had accepted and served the Lord in Korea, and I was accustomed to the living by the aspects of Christian culture. But after I entered a middle school in USA, I hung out with bad friends. I used and became accustomed to abusive language and behavior. I even struck others without reason or provocation. I also became addicted to playing computer games and my class grades were poor. My parents were very sad because of me.
One day I felt my life had to be changed, and began repenting my life style. I put total effort into trying to change by myself but effort and ability got me nowhere. Fortunately, my life began to change through my parents' loving concerns and reading the Bible. In the 7th and 8th grades of school, I really wanted to lead a proper Christian life and was ardent in spreading the gospel to friends.
During the 10th grade in 2007 it happened. My father listened to Dr. Jaerock Lee's sermons on the website of Manmin Central Church. He turned from an 'ordinary' Christian into a faithful believing Christian who had a thirst for the living Word of God. Listening to his messages, I also felt a need for the change of my heart. I thought I had to be awake in my faith.
I also understood I needed to become sanctified in order to become a true child of God. I realized in detail how evil my heart was, and how eagerly God wishes for me to change.
By seeing the manifestations of many signs and wonders through Dr. Jaerock Lee, I realized God is alive and Hell and Heaven really exist.
I understood how great the love of God really is. I was able to have a hope for Heaven, and even received the strength to press on toward the City of New Jerusalem, the best dwelling place in Heaven. I made up my mind to obey the Word of God. I confessed that only the gospel of holiness is my life. I became always careful in my words, and guarded my mouth not to speak words of abuse. And I tried my best not to judge or condemn anybody. I was drawn to others who looked lonely and seemed to suffer and shared the gospel with them.
Until I heard the holiness gospel I had no desire to study, so I didn't try to study hard. After hearing the holiness gospel, I realized the kingdom of Heaven really exists and God is pleased when I perform my God-given duties. In other words, students have to study hard and honor their parents.
Through the Word of God and prayer, I came to have a desire to glorify God by studying harder. I prayed for wisdom during the class, and God helped me study and do better at school. I also participated in extracurricular activities: School Christian Club (President for 4 years), Recycle Club, Mathematics Club, Honorary Students Club, and School Band (Clarinet player for 3 years). In 2007, I went on a mission trip to Peru. All the efforts and good grades in my studies enabled me to win the President's Award for Educational Excellence.
On the first Sunday of July, my father Deacon Hangyoul Kim, was commissioned as a missionary at Manmin Central Church. My family visited Korea for this ceremony. It was my first visit to the church, and I was so touched to see the church members praise and worship God with all their hearts and love. I was also so happy to see Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee face to face. Having watched the worship services of Manmin Central Church, I had wanted to see him for a long time. When I met him firsthand, indescribable joy overflowed within me. I felt how abounding in love and merciful he is.
I told him that I had passed the entrance examination for the College of Medicine, the University of Boston but would enter another college to lighten the burden of college tuition fees on my father and also to help him do the missionary works. Senior Pastor asked why I had not asked for his help, but he also commended me for my heart desiring to help my father with his ministry. Through the meeting with Senior Pastor, I strengthened my desire to become an obedient son of God by abiding in His Word and also to help my father with his ministry for the glory of God.
On August 23, I entered California's Irvine Valley College to major in chemistry. I am planning to achieve academic excellence at the college and finish the first two years there and then enter UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) or UC Berkeley as a junior. There I will study for more 2 years and after graduation I will support the ministry of Manmin as a professional.

We Are Proud of Our Second Generation Living Overseas

In addition Brother Jaeyoon Kim who received the President's Award for Educational Excellence from US President Barak Obama, a few more students won presidential awards. They are good at school and also lead an exemplary life in faith. Brother Chanyoung Kim won the presidential award from the Former President George Bush in 2008; Sister Stephanie Johnson, from President Barak Obama in 2009; and Brother Sukjun Moon, from President Barak Obama twice once in 2009 and again in 2010.
They have grown up in the family of faith and make the same confession in gratitude as follows: "I realized through listening to the Word of God that it is pleasing to God to live by His Word and study hard—to perform the duty of students. When I've done my best to live by the Word of God and walk in faithfulness, God allowed me to win the presidential award."



1. Brother Chanyoung Kim (From Former President George Bush, 2008)
2. Sister Stephanie Johnson (From President Barak Obama, 2009)
3. Brother Sukjun Moon (From President Barak Obama, 2009 and 2010)