HS Encounter: Over 70 Gather for Weekly Youth Group

This school year, high school staff worked together to start a new youth ministry called Encounter. The idea for this group was born out of the recognition that, while there are a number of wonderful English-speaking churches in Seoul, not many of them have youth groups for high schoolers to attend. As a staff, we recognized that high school is an incredibly formative time in young people's lives and we were convinced that one encounter with God could change the trajectory of someone's life. Thus, Encounter was born.

When our staff first gathered to begin praying for Encounter, we had no idea whether or not students would even be interested in attending a youth ministry at YISS, especially given their busy academic and extracurricular schedules. However, we decided that even if only five students came, we still wanted to gather for them.

We launched our ministry on November 17, 2022, and to our great surprise and delight, we had over 40 students show up to our first gathering! We spent time playing games, eating dinner, worshiping, and digging into God's Word together.

Over the next few weeks, word quickly spread; week by week, more and more students heard about what was happening at Encounter. First 40, then 50, and then 60 students attended until, at our lock-in, over 70 people gathered together. The overnight lock-in on the last night of the fall semester was an extended time set aside to seek God's presence together. Staff shared the gospel with students and gave them a chance to respond. That night, over 20 students made the decision to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. 

Below are some thoughts students have had since attending Encounter:

"Encounter has been the highlight of my week! I have so much fun, and I am also able to make a genuine connection with God. I've struggled to find a youth group in Seoul, so this is a huge blessing for me." Student C, 10th grade

"So far, Encounter is honestly the highlight I look forward to every week! Not just because of the fun games, food, and friends but most of all, the message. I genuinely feel God’s presence when we’re singing worship songs and praying together. A lot of times, I’m always stressed with all the summatives but Encounter is a place where I can forget about it and just be there to encounter God." - Student L, 10th grade

We are excited to continue to pour into the lives of students and help them grow in their faith as we move forward into the second semester. We know that all the fruit that we have seen in the lives of the students is a result of the love and prayers that their parents and teachers have poured into them over the years. We ask for your continued prayers this semester.

We look forward to all that God will continue to do this year!