There’s something energizing about a packed church, and Korean-American churches of southern California tapped into that power with a one-day evangelism event targeting their own members, lapsed non-attenders and community friends.

On June 4, teens and young adults from Thousand Oaks to San Diego carpooled and caravanned their way to Upper Room Fellowship (URF), which rents a large sanctuary in Temple City. The spacious church was filled with more than 300 worshipers ready for an intense day of spiritual rejuvenation.

“We wanted an experience we could boldly invite non-believing friends to attend,” explains Living Water Fellowship’s Pastor Alex Kim, who organized the day. “This gives our own kids and young families an exciting, carefully-polished encounter with Christ... one that is beyond the scope of any one congregation.”

Mike Chung, a worship pastor at Cerritos Korean church, assembled a praise band, drawing musicians from several churches. It was a high-tech two-and-a-half hours of worship, utilizing PowerPoint and video clips.

Several people shared personal testimonials about the Lord’s leading. Lina Chang of URF, who recently lost her father to a sudden illness, delivered a poignant statement about how her own Christian community was sustaining her in her journey back toward emotional wellness.

The extended service also intentionally focused on mission outreach, with Fabi Santuri and Lisa Kim presenting a DVD segment about an upcoming AIM medical expedition to Brazil. Lisa offered attendees an opportunity to contribute funds or supplies.

Meanwhile, children enjoyed stories, songs and crafts next door. Children are a high priority for young-adult Korean congregations, and the event-planning committee was thankful for Glendale Korean church Pastor David Kim and Miya, his wife, who coordinated a full morning schedule for children 12 and under.

Teen and adult worshipers segued into “church mode” with the praise band introducing songs designed to prepare hearts for an encounter with Christ. Joey Oh, also from Living Water (L.A. Central Korean), challenged listeners with the message, “Lost in Translation: Three Reasons Why I Sing.” Jesus is active in our lives, he declared, giving us a past of forgiveness, a present with His care and power, and a future of eternal life. One of the youngest of the Korean-American pastors, Oh surprises audiences with humorous confessions of his own foibles and lost wallets on Waikiki Beach.

Pastor Mike Kim and the Rosemead Korean church put together a fast-moving lunch line with Subway sandwiches, chips and ice-cold sodas. The entire campus had to be cleared by 2 p.m. so that Upper Room Fellowship could host its own community food bank program beginning an hour later, but worshipers still enjoyed a leisurely hour of fellowship.

“We were thrilled to have 300 people there,” Alex Kim said afterward. “We certainly could not have succeeded as we did without the positive participation of each pastor. I hope and pray that we’ll have more opportunities to share our message like this in the future.”