Let Your Life Bloom & Bear Fruit
Hello Faith Family,
This is Pastor Seungrok! I’m writing this blog in place of Pastor Heather, who is currently attending a Clergy Retreat. As I write this, I am attending the Korean Association of UMC Annual Convocation. This is a yearly gathering where Korean pastors serving in the United Methodist Church in the U.S., along with a few lay leaders and several UMC organizations, come together for worship, learning, and fellowship.
The theme of this convocation is "Surrender to Grace," based on 1 Corinthians 15:10. Personally, through this gathering and time of worship, I have been reminded again that before my own efforts and merits, there is the grace of God. I have felt deep gratitude and made a renewed commitment to surrender once again to that grace.
Indeed, though we are undeserving, God loves and saves us. When we realize that it is all by God's grace, we can no longer boast in our own righteousness or achievements. Instead, we are able to share the love we have received with others in a spirit of gratitude.
Recently, we have been preparing to plant a church in the Bixby area. Last week, Pastor Heather, Lowell Ghosey and I had a significant meeting with Conference and District leaders. During this meeting, Pastor Heather shared how Faith has been preparing and who we are as a church. Our District Superintendent, Rev. Terry Koehn, expressed his excitement for what will happen in Bixby through the values and DNA of Faith.
I found myself wondering, "Why should we plant a church in Bixby when there are already other churches in the area? Why is God calling Faith to this work?" The simple answer could be, "Because there is no UMC presence there?"
But I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because the values and DNA that Faith embodies are needed there. We do not pursue peace and well-being just for ourselves. Our mission is: Inviting people to Christ-centered service. Through this, we cannot calculate or imagine how many lives God will touch—both ours and our neighbors’.
During the Leadership Institute I recently attended online, something stood out to me: God doesn’t give us a tree; God spreads a seed. Then, through us, God waters it, nourishes it, and makes it grow.
Some of you may have already heard that my father is critically ill. I plan to travel directly to Korea from LA, where I’ve been attending meetings, to see him one last time. I recall the day when my father visited me while I was living in Oklahoma City. He and I spent time together tending to my backyard. We pruned trees, planted flowers, and sowed grass in bare patches. For the next two months, my father watered and cared for everything daily. Before long, everything began to sprout, grow, and even blossom. He felt the mystery of life and was filled with joy.
Likewise, God is calling Faith to Bixby to water, nourish, and care for what God is planting. I am already excited, imagining what God will do. Just as my father rejoiced in seeing new life grow, we, too, will celebrate as we see new life bloom and bear fruit.
- Pastor Seungrok