How have I grown up to now? It is interesting to look back and see how I have changed. Actually, I had not grown very much before I encountered this ministry. I am very grateful that I met Dr. Melvin J. Steinbron and discovered the Lay Pastors Ministry because this ministry helped me grow in many ways.
First, I grew through the ministry itself.
This ministry was challenging for me because it was new, and it became a heavy responsibility in many ways. But at the same time, it was very interesting. I did not feel that the ministry was simply a burden. Rather, I enjoyed it. In some sense, those 15 years were very happy years because I was working for the good of people.
I was busy almost all the time—visiting churches, preparing weekly, monthly, quarterly, and even yearly journals of about 150 pages, holding staff meetings in the office, and meeting people informally outside the office. Through these many responsibilities, I learned a great deal from the ministry itself. The work became my classroom. Every church, every person, every problem, and every experience taught me something.
Second, I grew through the mentoring of Dr. Melvin J. Steinbron.
Dr. Melvin J. Steinbron, the founder of LPMI, was my personal mentor from the very beginning and continued to guide me for the last 15 years. Sometimes we even had personal international phone calls. He was very good to me, and I believe that I am what I am today in large part because of his guidance.
When I first met him, I was truly a novice. I did not know much about this ministry. Through him, however, my eyes were opened. He helped me see churches and ministry not only in Korea but around the world.
I learned that if we want to grow, we need mentors who can help us both personally and in our ministry. Through Dr. Melvin, I developed additional materials based on his original materials. I also learned how to manage the ministry both in the office and in our work with local churches.
There were times when I did not know which direction was right, and he helped me find the way. I trusted his guidance because he had much more experience than I did. At that time, he had about 30 years of experience, while I had only about 15 years. Of course, he sometimes confronted me when he thought I needed it. It did not happen very often—perhaps only once every few years. I remember being confronted by him about twice during those 15 years. Those moments were also part of my growth.
Lastly, I have grown through challenges and difficulties.
Some challenges came from inside the ministry, and others came from outside. We often say, “Failure is the mother of success.” But I would add my own expression:
“Challenge is the cousin of growth.”
We need challenges if we want to grow. Looking back, I realize that I sometimes created challenges for myself. Perhaps that was because I am something of a risk-taking person. I was willing to try new things, even when I was not completely sure how they would turn out.
Those challenges were sometimes difficult, but they were also enjoyable. They pushed me beyond what I already knew and forced me to learn, change, and grow.
So, when I look back, I realize that my growth did not come from one thing alone. The ministry taught me through experience, Dr. Melvin taught me through mentoring, and challenges taught me through practice. Through all of these, God has continued to shape me and prepare me for the work He has given me.