by Hansol An
God has seen fit to bring about many changes at Lighthouse Bible Church in 2010, the most notable being the San Jose church plant. That one stone caused ripples that have effected every ministry at the church and to no small degree, College Life. Since its inception in 2001, Pastor Patrick Cho stoutly led this college-centric ministry from a handful of students to a thriving presence on the campus of UCSD and a ministry plant, of sorts, at SDSU this past year. Now with Pastor Patrick becoming the Senior Pastor of LBC and taking on various other ministry responsibilities, for the first time since it’s inception, he would not be leading College Life. In addition there have been many changes to the rest of the staff as well. Some have left to be a part of the church plant while others were called to new ministry opportunities. The composition of the staff this fall is very different from graduation day only a few months ago.
When I was asked to help lead College Life, post-Pastor Patrick, along with Johnny Kim and Peter Lim, I had my concerns; many of which related directly to the staff. What member of LBC would step up and fill staff needs? Was there anyone willing or qualified that wasn’t already serving in other affinity groups? Who was going to preach every week!? As the summer went on God started to answer these questions. Several people would soon express interest in joining staff. Other were identified and “recruited.” Eventually Sam Chong, Terence Kim, Richard Shin, Alice Ting, Emily Kuo, Sarah Hu, Grace H. Lee, Jonathon Yang, Deborah Wong, Mike Hasegawa, Jen Hasegawa, and Michael Chung would all be affirmed as new staff members. They now join the 10 returning staffers to form what is the largest College Life Staff ever.
Each staff member brings their unique experiences, gifts and talents to serve the collegians, but more importantly they bring a passion for God and His people. As a staff they all understand how formative this life stage can be, having experienced it themselves. For most people the convictions they form in college lasts the rest of their lives.
As the school years begins God has once again shown his abiding faithfulness. The staff is working hard to prepare for messages and opportunities to fellowship. The teaching responsibilities will be shared among the men on staff. Every week a different staffer will rotate through a schedule that begins with the Parable of the Soils, continues on through the book of James and intersperses lessons on various other religions/cults throughout the year. The goals for the teaching schedule are to make sure they collegians know the true Gospel, respond to the Gospel and live out the Gospel.
With all that has changed, somethings will not. Many traditions will live on, many familiar events will continue and, God willing, the life of LBC collegians will be impacted by this ministry and the Word of God.