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Foreign Language Volunteers Speech Contest

Nação |
Data | Julho 17, 2003

On July 17, the Church of God held a foreign language volunteers' speech contest wishing the success of 2003 Daegu Universiade. This contest was held to select volunteers havisng special ability in 6 foreign languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Russian. However, members who can commander German, Portuguese, Persian and Indonesian also volunteered to the contest. Total 2000 members competed their foreign language power.

This contest was intended to call the general public's attention to the Universiade and to positively support 170 countries so that the Universiade may be a success. Kim Joo-cheol, the General Pastor of the Church of God, explained this contest's purpose like this: "The Church of God plans to support 170 teams from the whole world, wishing the success of the Universiade. Our support will not be a simple cheering at the games; our foreign language supporters will guide foreigners to experience Korean culture and will try to promote friendship with them continuously."

70% of the participants was the youths. Mother encouraged the participants and said that Father is fulfilling the prophecy, "Your people shall be volunteers in the days of Your power; in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth" (Ps. 110:3, NKJV).

The youths have a great ambition to make Korea known to all the world and reveal the glory of God, through the great fiesta of university students in the whole world, under the theme of "Dream for Unity." Besides the youths, those who have majored in foreign languages including professors and instructors, and foreign members such as Chinese and American also willingly took part in the contest.

The participants had a written test and an oral test. 10 languages were heard here and there in the hall, and it looked like a miniature of global village. They did their best to show their foreign language power.

What is required of the foreign language volunteers is not only language power but also the ability to convey their message with deep emotion. The members said with confidence," It may be difficult for us to interpret 100% perfectly in foreign languages. But we are sure of delivering God's love with kindness and smile."

After 2 hour test, 15 members were awarded. All the prize winners said they would continue to study foreign languages, so that they might contribute to the success of the Universiade and to the world mission.

Closing the contest, Mother gave a word: "The gospel is to be preached to Samaria and to the ends of the earth so that the prophecy, 'I[God] will give you honor and praise among all the people of the earth,' may be fulfilled." Mother encouraged the participants to diligently preach God's love to all the world and bear good fruit. While the words of living water were engraved on the participants' hearts, the gift of speaking in different kinds of tongues were being poured down upon them.