~ Jonathan Chang-Min Kim (20)

The 2007 President of Student Body at Gwangju Manmin Church, Jonathan Chang-Min Kim has become a subject of challenge and hope after he has been accepted on a 4-year full scholarship to Yonsei University, one of the three highly selective colleges in Korea.

Born into a Buddhist family, Kim first came to church in August 2004 with an afterschool tutor. As his faith grew, Kim devoted himself to worship, prayer, and the work of the Lord. Then something unexpected took place.

"During the winter of my junior year in high school, there was a Student Group meeting following a handkerchief meeting (Acts 19:11-12) with Rev. Hee-Sun Lee. At the time, Rev. Lee told me, 'You have to be diligent with your studies.' I immediately became dazed. As I had always been near the top of my class, I thought I was doing enough. Since I had devoted more time to a variety of church activities, I was a bit confused. In the end, I realized the whole duty as a student was studying."

Beginning at some point, those around Kim were worried that he was placing a greater emphasis on his faith. As a matter of fact, many students are either too focused on studies and thus neglect their lives in Christ, or are too focused on their lives in Christ that they neglect their studies.
"Why not do both well? I won't be partial towards one or the other. I am going to show the world that when I trust in God completely, I can do both well!"

From that point on, Kim became diligent not just in his life in Christ but with his studies as well. He not only attended Friday All-night Services and Sunday Services but also set aside a time of prayer during Daniel Prayer Meetings following the nighttime study. That meant Kim could no longer sleep for more than 4 hours a night. Still, Kim did not doze off in classes; instead, his body felt rejuvenated and he did not feel exhausted.
While he was walking, Kim prayed. When he was on the bus or whenever he found time, Kim listened to the Senior Pastor's message series "How to Study Well" tapes over and over again. Thinking of how David knocked down Goliath only with a slingstone in his complete trust in God, Kim also made every effort to receive from God the strength to be assiduous with his studies. Furthermore, Kim made a monthly trip to Seoul to receive the Senior Pastor's prayer. Kim felt further strengthened in the Lord Jesus Christ when he prayed in earnest for him and spoke a few words of kindness and encouragement to him.

"Studying" for Kim was a process in which he was to form himself as a man of God, a time of preparation during which he was to master the ways to guard his heart and equip himself with abilities to magnify God. A college student now, Kim's one lifelong goal is "Giving glory to God."
"There was a time when I wanted to be a pastor but now, I think the most urgent thing is for me to be dutiful and prepare myself as a useful vessel in God's eyes whether I am at school, church, or anywhere. I pray that at the time of His choosing, God will guide and use me to my fullest capacity."