[Interview] YWAM Mongolia, hopping to host next 48 hours worship gathering

By Eunkyoung Jung/ School of Worship

With the theme of ‘His Kingdom Come’, 48 hours of Northeast Asia United Worship was held at the prayer room in the UofN Jeju on the 16th-18th of September.  

For this time, worship teams from 5 countries; Korea, Mongolia, Japan, Russia, and China participated. They were not only from YWAM worship ministries but also from all different churches in various countries and united to worship asking for His Presence.

We had the opportunity to interview one of the participants in the worship who is planning to host another 48 hours of worship next year, missionary “T” from D area in Mongolia.*  

1. What brought you to participate in this 48 hours of Worship?

“We also had 24 hours of worship in D area, Mongolia in last April. It was very meaningful because we could feel all the spiritual darkness and clouds covering over the base were gone and the sky had been cleared. That time reminded us of the importance of worship once again.

Later, we heard about 48 hours of worship, and we got the heart for it so strongly. So we wanted to plan this worship in Mongolia. When our staff began to discuss having the worship, there was an opinion that we should first participate in this type of worship to have a specific picture in order to run the event in Mongolia. When we asked brother Jooman Lee, a co-organizer of this gathering, we were heard and learned that there is going to be one held in Jeju. This is how we decided to participate in the 48 hours of worship this time here in Jeju. 

After our decision, our staff discussed that it would be even better if one team from Mongolia and another team from Mongolian church in Seoul participate together in the worship. Therefore last June, we met up with the pastor from a Mongolian church in Seoul and persuaded him that this 48 hours of worship would be such a precious opportunity for us to pray for the revival of Northeast Asia and open up the gates of North Korea. 

Then one team from a Mongolian church in Seoul decided to join us to participate in the worship.

The purpose of participation in the 48 hours of worship this time was to plan for our 48 hours of worship next year, but before planning for it, we wanted to come before the Lord in a deeper level of worship.”

2. Any reflection on 48 hours of worship from an individual or as a team? Anything you feel like missing or wanting more for next time?

“Nothing felt lacking, but through this united worship, we were able to seek God’s presence in a deeper way once more. 

As a leader, as a missionary, there had been times that I couldn’t always seek God’s face. But this time, I realized and found out some attitudes, emotions, and thoughts that I shouldn’t have had. I was able to get rid of them one by one. As I spent some time of repentance, I was able to firmly believe that my being got lighter by the wings given by God. I felt like flying with my wings. It was a time of worship the whole time. But at the same time, it was a time of renewing and repentance for me. I think that many staff had a similar experience, seeking God’s face and repenting. One thought carved in my heart was that ‘worship is not just a ministry but worship should be a life itself.’ Through this time we were able to look back on our personal lives. 

Through 48 hours of worship, I was able to thoroughly ponder upon the true meaning of humility before God even more than ever before. Right now, in this season, God is blessing Mongolia. Many teams visit Mongolia and they see the value in Mongolia. But the workers in Mongolia should not be too arrogant. We need to be more humble, we would like to grow and become a country serving the nations by wisely using this golden time given by God. Furthermore, we would like to become mature and humble workers at the same time.

I keep thinking about the meaning of humility. And I ask myself what the humility of Jesus was like. That must be something I am not able to practice. However, we should remain not doing anything. But with something surely given from God, it is about reaching out to those who are in need and weak. It is worth thinking about it deeply.”

3. What is your plan for 48 hours of worship next year?

“At this 48 hours of the worship gathering, five Northeast Asian countries were supposed to be represented including Russia. But we didn’t have a team from Russia this year. I felt like it would be better if we had a team from Russia as well. 

Mongolia is quite close to Russia. Next year, we would like to invite Russian worship teams to the gathering, especially a team from Mongolian ethnic minority group in Russia. We would like to have a 48 hours of worship that more Russian teams could come and participate as well as many more Mongolian teams. Also, we would like to be more united with various worship teams currently in Mongolia in worship and prayers.”

4. What are the current circumstances of Mongolian worship teams and worship ministry? Id there any area that you would like to develop?

“As you know, Mongolians are nomadic. Characteristics of the nomadic tribes are that they easily move around and they are very fond of being active. They prefer to raise up their voices to praise and dance to worship rather than being still in the seats and keeping it quiet. That is why they love modern worship and free atmosphere. Therefore Mongolian worship teams regardless of their denominations, their worship format has been well set up, having a free atmosphere and using modern instruments.

Something we would like to develop is the usage of various Mongolian traditional instruments. Though the number of Mongolian worship teams is increasing and the worship format is being developed, Mongolian traditional instruments are barely used by the worship team. We would like to form a team worshipping with traditional instruments and have many gatherings if possible, and I believe this is what pleases God.”

5. What kind of season do you think it is for Mongolia right now?

“Since 2005, leaders of Mongolian churches set up a goal called 2020. Until the year of 2020, we planned a movement to make 10% of the Mongolian population as disciples. It was only planned, and we have never been able to be united to put it into practice together, and we feel bad about it.

Last year, through ‘Call2All’, God led us into a form of unity which He wanted from us. Not only from YWAM, but many other churches and organizations also began to distribute the Bible and making disciples. We hope and anticipate that next year would be remarkable in His plan for Mongolia.”

6. What could be the vision of the base, or of you as an individual?

“When I became a leader at the base, God gave me a vision that He would use me when He would prepare the young generations to become spiritual leaders and labor forces for His kingdom. After that, God sent me many young people. In the future, I would like to raise up young generations, train them as God’s ministers and spiritual leaders, and send them to the nations and the Mongolian society. I would like to praise, love, and worship God together with them.

For now, I am running my ministry not only for the young generation in Mongolia but for those who are currently staying in Korea. We are having an annual gathering for the young generation. (Already held twice in Tokyo) I would like to keep my ministry to challenge and give vision to the young generation in Mongolia and Mongolian diaspora all over the world.”

Through this interview with a leader from Mongolian base, we were able to get a glimpse of God’s heart wanting the unity among Northeast Asian countries, YWAM, mission organizations, churches, and the diaspora. Also we hope and pray that we could remember what God showed us during the time of 48 hours of worship so that we can seek God who is forever our hope, and live a life as a worshiper to keep the embers of worship.

*For security reason, we use initials for his name and the area the ministry is located.