Pastor Jeong (right) and the Korean congregation at Zion Lutheran Church, located in Belleville, IL, sent off Jeremy Shultz (left) as a missionary to Korea with love and prayers.
On Sunday, the Korean congregation at Zion Lutheran Church, located in Belleville, IL, had a special service to send off Jeremy Shultz as a missionary to Joyful Lutheran Church in Korea. It is a very unusual occurrence for a Korean congregation in America to send an American to Korea as a missionary.
"After I was appointed assistant pastor for the Korean congregation at Zion Lutheran Church in February 2013, I had more time to talk to Jeremy," Pastor Jin O Jeong said. "Prior to that, Jeremy came with his Korean friends to worship of Sunday, but after February of last year, while attending consistently, he became a formal member."
Jeremy first came to the Korean church with his Korean friends that went to the same high school and became a formal member of the church that, he said, had a warm, family like atmosphere.
"I came with my friends at first because I was curious about a Korean church. I met Pastor Jeong and the church members, and because of their warm welcome and love, now Zion is not only my church, but like my family," he said.
It was not easy for Jeremy to be an official member at the Korean church. But it was a much more difficult decision for him to be a Lutheran. This is because Jeremy, including the rest of his family was Catholic.
Pastor Jeong said, "When Jeremy told me that he would like to be a member of Korean Congregation at Zion Lutheran Church, at first I hesitated. So, I advised him to discuss with his family, and to think more about. However, his parents willingly gave him their permission, because they know that he loves Korean congregation so much."
During the last two years while being in the Korean Church, Jeremy has learned the Korean language and culture. He continues to devote over three hours a day studying Korean. This effort enabled him to possess a proficient level of Korean.
Currently, Jeremy studies political science in Loyola Chicago, and in September of this year, he is scheduled to study in Sogang University as an exchange student for a year. During this time Jeremy will do various activities to serve - such as teaching English and Children Bible School - as a missionary for the Joyful Lutheran Church in Korea.
