DuPage
By Juan Seo
After more than 40 years of faithful service by Missionaries Samuel and Ruth Shin, the long-prayed-for Columbia University mission entered a new chapter with the launch of its Sunday Worship Service. For decades, the Shins devoted their lives to sowing the gospel seed at Columbia, while New York UBF has supported the ministry through prayer and financial offerings. Since taking over leadership of New York UBF last year, Pastor Juan Seo has prayed earnestly for college mission. By forming campus teams and engaging in evangelism, new students have begun to study the Bible and attend Sunday worship services at NY UBF. Columbia University, however, has remained a challenging field, especially as protests in recent years have restricted campus access. Despite the difficulties, NY UBF coworkers continued to intercede for Columbia, trusting God’s promise to send students.
God answered those prayers. This year, several Columbia students and young people living in Manhattan joined the ministry, opening the door to begin Columbia Sunday Worship Service. By God’s grace, New York UBF was able to rent a meeting room at the historic Riverside Church, located just across the street from Columbia University.
On August 24, the kick-off worship service was held with several students in attendance, including Nick (Medical School), Nam Ho (Law School), Esther (Cooper Union), and Susanna and Juan (recent Columbia Engineering graduates). Jeremy Park from Los Angeles will also join soon. Missionaries Samuel and Ruth Shin, along with long-time coworkers Richard Koronge and Mary Kim, joined the service in celebration. Members of the Columbia Ministry Team from NY UBF also participated.
The congregation gave thanks to God for His faithfulness and prayed that this new worship service would become a Spirit-filled community for Columbia students, as well as other students and residents of Manhattan. We pray that many faithful disciples of Jesus may be raised to serve God’s work in New York City and beyond.
