Sixty enthusiastic participants from 13 churches across the Korea District gathered on February 1-2 for Mission Camp 2010. The camp, sponsored by the Korea Nazarene Mission Center (KNMC) and held on the campus of Korea Nazarene University (KNU) in Cheonan City, was the first such camp ever held on the Korea district. Participation in the camp is a requirement for anyone wanting to go out from the Korea District as a missionary.
The ages of the participants ranged from 14 to 40 and included high school and university students, pastors, business people, Nazarene Missions International (NMI) leaders, a clinical psychologist and a medical doctor and his wife.
Key speakers included District Superintendent Rev. Im, Yong-hwa, former Nazarene missionary Rev. Michael Park, and KNMC director Rev. Lee, Jae-soon. Workshops were presented by lecturers from KNMC, KNU, and the Asia-Pacific regional office. Workshop topics included "Reaching the Unreached Cities of Asia" and "Steps to Becoming a Nazarene Missionary." The messages and workshops were interspersed with enthusiastic and passionate worship experiences led by a KNU worship band.
Plans were announced for two upcoming mission trips in July 2010 and in February 2011. Participation in at least one of these trips is required for those wanting to serve as missionaries from the Korean district. KNMC hopes to have four to six missionary candidates ready to present to the regional office for missionary assignments by June of 2010. These candidates would then raise funds on the district in preparation for starting their internships in January of 2011.
Regional Personnel Coordinator and workshop leader Rev. Dave Hane was challenged by the fervor and passion that he saw during Mission Camp 2010. Asia-Pacific Regional Director Dr. Verne Ward said, "It is inspiring to see the growing interest in following Jesus' command to make disciples among people who are yet unreached. It is encouraging to see how the Korea Nazarene Mission Center is working hard to develop an efficient and culturally appropriate process and accountability structure for the sending of missionaries from Korea."