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January 30, 2025 - A New Vision

From the Pastor to you:

As the new year of 2025 began, God called me not to the pulpit but to the surgery operating table. This unexpected journey began with a retinal detachment that resulted in the temporary loss of sight in one eye, leaving me to rely entirely on the other. Through this trial, I have been led to reflect on the frailty of my body while meditating on God’s perfection and His greatness. For the past 25 years, I have tirelessly run the race of ministry, often without pause. Preaching has been my greatest joy, and walking alongside members of the congregation—praying with them, listening to their stories, and encouraging them in their faith—has brought me profound happiness. Yet, the demands of ministry, compounded by the stress of leading my former church through disaffiliation, spending countless nights and years completing my doctoral dissertation, transitioning to a new church, speaking at conferences and retreats, and fulfilling a myriad of responsibilities, have taken their toll.

 

Last year, I realize I did not take a single vacation, throwing myself wholly into the work. Even as signs of physical and emotional strain appeared, I told myself, “Everyone seems to work so hard, and so should I.” But God, in His amazing grace and mercy, saw what I could not: I would have continued running without rest until I broke down completely. In His wisdom, He brought me to a halt—not to punish me but to refine me. Both my pain and my healing are a part of His sovereign plan. This season of recovery has been a time of profound reflection and growth—not only as a pastor or spiritual leader but also as a father, husband, and child of God. Through these moments of desert experiences, God has met me and spoken to me in such a powerful way. For that, I praise my Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. Here are a few things I’d like to share with you:

  

Gratitude in All Things Following my surgery, I now have a gas bubble in my left eye that aids in healing my detached retina. This has left me unable to see clearly with one eye, but how thankful I am to still have vision in the other! Never did I imagine praying a prayer of gratitude simply for the ability to see with one eye, but this experience has deepened my understanding of gratitude and thanksgiving to the one who deserves all our praises. We live in a world filled with negativity. It is so easy to focus on what we lack or what has gone wrong. Yet, God commands us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude is more than a virtue; it is an act of obedience. I will never take it for granted that I can serve as your pastor; I will never take it for granted that I have a church where I can preach God’s Word, nor will I take for granted my beloved family at Thrive Church, whom I can love and pray for. I will give thanks to God for these extraordinary gifts and live with constant gratitude for them. I hope that you, too, will be filled with thanksgiving for your loving families, a church to belong to, and the assurance of salvation that can only come from our blessed savior Jesus Christ!

 

Nothing is eternal, Only GOD is. For much of my life, I’ve often heard, “Pastor, you are still young,” and I think I leaned on the assurance of being “young.” But this experience has reminded me once again, nothing is eternal, Only God is. Pain, illness, and suffering can affect anyone, regardless of age, for we all live under God’s timing. Being young is no reason for pride, and being older is no cause for despair. Nothing in this world lasts forever—only God is eternal. This truth has grounded me in humility, reminding me to live fully in the time and space God has given me—not as one chasing fleeting things, but as one rooted in the eternal.

 

A Deeper Encounter with God During my recovery, I have hungered for God’s Word like never before. One day, as I meditated on Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–9), I found deep resonance in his story. Paul, temporarily blinded by a great light, was transformed by his experience and called into a new life of faith. In the days following my surgery, when I temporarily lost sight in one eye, I faced fear, uncertainty, and a deep dependence on God. Like Paul, this season has led me to a new vision, deeper insight, and transformation—a place of repentance and a closer walk with Him. It has been a time of wrestling with God, laying aside all pretense, and seeking His mercy and grace. In the midst of this, God spoke to me in a powerful way. His redeeming grace, forgiveness, and assurance of His calling were made clear to me once again. This experience has deepened my connection with the beloved church God has entrusted to me, moving me to weep with you in times of sorrow and rejoice with you in moments of joy. God does not call us to religion, but to a relationship with Him. While church attendance, offerings, and programs are important, they are not the ultimate goal of our Christian walk. The call of Christ is to live as His disciples—faithfully walking in His truth and embodying the gospel message in our daily lives.

 

Dear Thrive Church and all friends, Thank you for your love, prayers, and unwavering support. Each of you is a precious child of God, and I do not take the privilege of serving you for granted. I will always remind myself how blessed I am to be your pastor. Thank you again, I look forward to seeing you soon!

 

 With Love and Gratitude,

 

Rev. Dr. Won Kim Lead Pastor of Thrive Church

1 comentário


Sarah Plaxton
02 de fev.

Still praying for your full vision to be restored, but blessed to share in the vision you’ve been given. Looking forward to having you back with us, Pastor Won.

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