Two North Korean Refugee Ministries United for the Broken Generation

University of the Nations, Jeju co-hosted with Nehemiah Global Initiatives (NGI) the Nehemiah English Reunification Camp between July 26th and August 3rd under a theme, “Let’s Rise Up and Build.” Nehemiah English Reunification Camp (NERC) is a summer camp that is specially deigned for the second generation of North Korean refugees.

About fifty youth and college students, fifty volunteer, twenty staff from South Korea, China, U.S.A., Taiwan, Philippine, Caribbean, and more countries participated to the camp and spent for two weeks including volunteer training days.

About a half of those who did not believe in Jesus before the camp has accepted the Lord as their Savior during the camp, and many students and volunteers has committed themselves to be praying leaders like Nehemiah for the vision of New Korea.

[Photo] Students and volunteer prayed for new Korea and made commitment to the vision at the very last night of the camp.

Change Makers had an interview with Moses Jung, director of New Korea Center and who has been leading Nehemiah English Reunification Camp for last three years.

1. What kind of camp is Nehemiah English Reunification Camp?

Nehemiah English Reunification Camp is a partnering ministry co-hosted by two North Korean refugees ministries, Nehemiah Global Initiatives (NGI) and New Korea Center, UofN Jeju. It is targeting both the youth of North Korean refugees and the youth in South Korea. As we intentionally bring the second generation of Korean from these countries, we would like to, first, help them to learn English which they feel difficult most times, second, let them discover vision for individuals and communities as they grow with faith in Jesus, and finally challenge them to find their roles in reunification of Korea in God’s way.

2. You’ve mentioned during the camp that this year’s camp was significant in comparison to previous ones. What is significance of this year’s camp?

NGI and NK Center have been doing this camp for three years. Although we are different in many ways, but we have the same heart to serve the youth both from South and North Korea because we agree that the youth is the future and hope of Korean and the Church. NERC has been providing hope and vision of life to the youth from north and south in a place of security and protection in a Christian community in Jeju, a beautiful island God created. It was made possible by staff at University of Nations, Jeju and their obedience and devotion to the call to missions for Northeast Asia and North Korea. Many years of their prayers are continuously impacting today to NERC in good ways.

3. What is significance of NERC and the ministry for North Korean young refugee to University of the Nations to Jeju?

God always waits for our obedience before He does greater things that we could not imagine. When we obey, we could experience His wonderful things. It may hard to find a giant significance in a English camp. But we are continually experiencing wonderful things that we did not expect through the mean that God is using. It is, of course, hard to teach and learn English as much as students want in a short period of time. However, students often open their heart and try hard to study English as they experience consistent love, encouragement, acceptance by small group leaders and one-on-one staff. At the end of each day, they are invited to Jesus through worship, prayer, and the Word.

[Photo] Representing students from each nations they from prayed and blessed Chan-Hoo and Soyoung Lee, the president of UofN Jeju

4. What is your personal feedback on this year’s camp?

Everyone seemed nervous at the beginning, but they got more assimilated to the camp, closer to each other and united as time went on. Through this process, students experienced healing, restoration, and healthy Christian community. Staff laid down their own things, but responded to God with sensitivity more than curriculum and program of the camp. As they obeyed to the Lord, God worked in good ways to hearts of young students and volunteers who did not have faith in God.

5. Is there any thing you like to share with UofN Jeju as you prepare the next camp?

God has special heart for Koreans. We would like to invite more Korean diasporas into the camp next year. We’ve been focusing on North Korean young refugees and the youth in South Korea in the past. But we would like to invite young Koreans from China, Russia, Japan, and America or Europe.

The wave of revival will rise up greater if these young Koreans discover their identity in Christ, and identity as Korean descendants through this camp. Koreans persevered many sufferings and trials in history. The young descendants in some countries experience some of the pains even today without knowing reasons. No one explains why these young Koreans have to face this hardship. As the results, so many young people are in pain and struggle.

But, we believe that God has right answer to the young Korean diaspora. We are hoping that they would be able to hear the voice of the Lord, and discover their identity at the next camp so that they would have a vision for the future. (by general editor)