There is time for everything. That is why people are said to have grown up properly only when they have been raised in a timely manner. Adolescent years are the time in which when people are not only developed physically but when their individuality and a sense of "self" are also shaped. Even in one's life in Christ, adolescent years are extremely important.
Manmin News has visited the Students' Sunday School where the infinite possibility and potential of Manmin's youth are developed and students are nurtured as warriors of faith.

Nurturing individuals equipped with spirituality and skills

"I hope they grow up to be like pine trees that exude vitality even in the coldest of winter months," says Principal Pastor Sung-Sook Lee of Manmin Students' Sunday School.
When someone is "like a pine tree," it means how he is not tuned to the current of the corrupt world but that he has been rooted deeply in the faith at an early age, is watchful of this world, and can guard himself with a prudent faith. On top of that, the goal of the School is to equip students with skills and nurture them to become potent workers in God's Kingdom.
In the Students' Sunday School at Manmin Central Church are Principal; Vice Principal; 6 guidance pastors; 11 financial directors; the Teachers' Association; and the Students' Association, and the Students' Association is divided into the High School Group and the Middle School Group. In addition, there are the Saturday Praise Service Preparatory Team; the Newcomers' Management; the Activities Department; the Worship Department; the Mission Department; the Praise Department; and the Service Department. The School serves 900 middle school students (equivalent of 7-9th Grade students in the U.S.) and high school students (equivalent of 10-12th Grade students in the U.S.) in 6 missions and 65 classes.

Teachers and students bound by the Word

Following the First Sunday Morning Service, teachers and students engage in the Curriculum Studies with "Genesis" materials. The studies on "True Faith and Eternal Life," "Preparation of the Brides," "The Measure of Faith," and "Spirit, Soul, and Body" have helped the spiritual growth of the students. The "Genesis" materials, based on Dr. Jaerock Lee's "Lectures on Genesis" and produced late last year to be suitable for younger believers, are very popular among the students.
In 2008, the School established "Study Room" as a solution that created space for both studies and prayer, and instructs students in English and arithmetic. As the teachers counsel their students in the areas of faith as well as problems surrounding their paths, relations with members of the opposite gender, and families, they must not only stand firm in spirit and in flesh but also devote to equipping themselves with the Word and to prayer in order to receive strength from God and impart to their students.

Growing faith and vision

The biggest events in the Students' Sunday School are the retreats. Taking place every summer, the Summer Retreat is an occasion on which students meet God, experience the Holy Spirit, and grow their faith. One of the perennial programs "Students Praise Competition" produces many workers. Starting this year, in an effort to begin a year filled with the Holy Spirit, the School has begun conducting winter retreats.
Another important element of the Students' Sunday School is the Saturday Praise Service (Pastor Sung-Jae Kim, Leader) taking place at 4 o'clock in the Afternoon in the Sanctuary No. 3. Unbound by formality, students shed tears while praising and their hearts are cleansed by God's mercy and they receive the strength by which they can study diligently in the coming week.
In addition, group activities allow them to understand themselves and others, ways to accomplish peace, and leadership.
The Students' Sunday School is making every effort to create more various education programs and aims to revitalize "Parents-Teachers Meetings."
While students push on with their dreams, they sometimes become dismayed at small difficulties. They may desire to become God's workers but are oftentimes swayed by what seems "cool" and seek dreams accordingly. Therefore, it is critical above all else to direct their paths and provide them with appropriate visions.
As Manmin Central Church is actively engaged in mission work overseas, the School also places a heavy emphasis on nurturing students prepared for the globalization by training them in translation and interpretation.

Devotion of guidance pastors, teachers, and parents

Children are nourished by love and interest. Guidance pastors, teachers, and parents ought to become one and allow children to experience that love.
As students are busy on their own these days, guidance pastors make most of students' lunch time or the free periods of study after school and visit them. Some teachers prepare with care lunches for students attending schools outside of Seoul. Others take their students to an amusement park of their choice while still others prepare gifts on a variety of occasions. The teachers sacrifice their time and wealth and devote themselves to their students.
The teachers prepare a variety of eatery for 12th grade students preparing for the college entrance exam and spend joyous times together with them. Once every month following a Saturday Praise Service, snacks filled with the love of parents are delivered to the Sanctuary. Students, needlessly to say, always look forward to this.
The financial directors help with the ministry through financial support and active participation in various School events including the retreats.

What's sown in love is reaped in love

From letters and cards troublemaker students send with such messages as "I love you" or "What you have shared with me has helped me so much," teachers are overwhelmed by love. It is amazing to learn that the students are more aware of what the teachers feel and are grateful.
Nothing could be more worthwhile for the teaches to see children who had previously been utterly uninterested in studies standing firm in faith and becoming diligent with their studies, or students who had never prayed leading lives marked by prayer. As they are children who are not yet corrupt and remain pure, the interest and the love the guidance pastors and the teachers sow bear the fruit.
More mature students are diligent not only in their lives in Christ but also with their studies and, with an earnest desire of becoming God's instruments revealing His glory, make necessary preparations to achieve their dreams. The hope for the future is found in the repository of infinite possibilities that are the children.
In anticipation of the dreams and the visions God will give the youngsters, everyone at Manmin Central Church has great expectations and hopes in 2009 for the Students' Sunday School at that nurtures the warriors of faith.