“Even If We Served Much, We Still Must Give God All the Glory”

Agape Ministrial Training Center
Reverend John Kim preached at the opening worship service for the International Agape Ministrial Training Center, a center that was established to train pastors and missionaries to not only grow in theological knowledge, but apply it wisely to glorify God and bear fruit in discipleship. |

Agape Ministrial Training Center
(Photo : Christianity Daily)
Reverend John Kim preached at the opening worship service for the International Agape Ministrial Training Center, a center that was established to train pastors and missionaries to not only grow in theological knowledge, but apply it wisely to glorify God and bear fruit in discipleship.
Bearing fruit from ministry or mission does not simply happen by going deeper into theology or seminary education. Many believe that the success of ministry when placed in the mission field comes also from being trained and disciplined in a personal walk with the Lord.

International Agape Ministrial Training Center was established with the purpose of training ministers and missionaries to be trained to effectively apply the concepts that they learn from a seminary education or a knowledge in theology. The semester started early this month, and on September 6th, the center held an opening worship service and orientation at World Agape Mission Church.

The founder of the training center, Reverend John Kim, preached on the heart that a minister or pastor must have.

"There was a pastor who experienced heaven, one who passed away recently while he was imprisoned," Reverend Kim said. "Jesus told this pastor, who was well-known among Korean Christians, that he had stolen His glory. That he valued his own name more than the name of Jesus."

"No matter how much we served and did God's work, we must give God all of the glory," he continued. "I am an unworthy, inadequate servant. We need to be able to confess that we simply did our duty. There are many who say these things and does God's work, but still glorifies their own name. I just hope and pray that your personal relationship with God is upheld rightly. It doesn't matter whether your ministry is large or small," he said.

He continued on that topic, saying that the size of a church is not important, and that the pastors and congregation of small churches are very precious. He also added that ministry is not just the task of a pastor, but that it is the task of every person who believes in Jesus.

Pastor Moon Hwan Park continued by transitioning into the orientation, and explained the schedule and curriculum of the training program. The program will be five months long, spanning from September to November this year, and March to April of next year. Among the curriculum will be topics such as anointing of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts; world missions and discipleship; effective tools for ministry; and personal spiritual growth. Lectures will take place every Saturday through video lectures, group workshops, and field application. Those who complete the curriculum will receive credit that is accepted by Agape Christian University, a training completion diploma, and, if desired, the opportunity to be sent out into a mission field.

"This is not simply about gaining knowledge, but it's about changing your lifestyle and your tendencies," emphasized Pastor Park. "I hope that it will train you to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in every moment."