WECer Beechoo Ong(Photo far left) has been involved with KGK (the Christian student movement in Japan) for the last 10 years, working among university students in and around Kyoto. We would like to let her introduce her ministry.
Bee Choo (BC): At the national level, 18 full-time staff and 7 part-time staff working on 174 campuses. Currently, we have about 800 students who are actively involved in their campus ministries nation-wide. In our region, we saw the number of full-time staff dwindled by half to its current size of 3 over the last 10 years. However, we have also engaged the help of 2 part-time staff and 2 volunteers.
SJ: Would you tell us about the main focus of the ministry or activities?
BC: The main focus of KGK’s ministry, I would say, are the lunch-time prayer meetings and after-school Bible studies held in the respective campuses, which students invite their non-Christian friends to. We also hold a National Conference (NC) once every 3 years, two evangelistic camps in the summer, a teaching and training camp during spring, and an annual Bible Exposition.
SJ:and you have another major event coming up?
BC: Yes, in the first week of August, we in Japan will host the East Asia Regional Conference, for the first time. Both staff and students have already started to familiarize themselves with the book of Nehemiah as the theme is, “Let us start rebuilding”. As well as travel logistics, another important aspect of our preparation has to do with handling the delicate issue of Japan’s war responsibility, helping students to respond sensibly and sensitively to victim countries of the Japanese occupation.
SJ: What are the most difficult aspects of student ministry?
BC: It is not uncommon for Christian students to keep their identities undercover for fear of being ostracized by their peers. Secondly, Christian students tend to get disoriented by the values they confront in their campuses, such as promiscuity. In recent years, this problem is compounded by the fact that housing agents are promoting co-habitation as a possible option to the students. Thirdly, it is the challenge to help students develop a Christian mind. Since the bulk of their education is through rote learning, students are comfortable with being told what to think. Hence, helping students develop a Christian framework, where they can discern and make sensible judgments on faith matters for themselves remains a mammoth task. Last but not least, each staff member has a high workload.
SJ: How can we support and pray for KGK and your ministry?
BC: - Pray that both the KGK graduates and students will be salt & light
- Pray that we will be able to employ more Japanese staff
- Pray that I will have the wisdom to prioritize the many responsibilities and for spiritual sustenance.