Jubilee 2013: Ten Years and Counting!

  Who knows what your life might be like in ten years?  Few of us ever even attempt to look to that distant point on the horizon.  Today is busy enough as it is.  Besides, so much could happen in that amount of time.  So many variables come into play.   Not to mention the fact that we make our plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.  That’s why I’m so amazed at God’s goodness as I reflect on the ten years of the ministry of Jubilee Presbyterian Church in the city of Irvine.  He has led us through many events, and brought us to so many milestones that it seems impossible how far we have come.
        The photos of our first worship service in my cleared out living room, with my family seated on our worn blue couch and Brian Rhee and Arthur Lee seated behind them is proof of the foolishness of the gospel.  Who could believe that such a beginning would result in our growing church family today with over 60 men, women and children standing side by side for Jesus?  Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27 come to my mind, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”.  We have moved 5 times, ordained and installed deacons and elders, presided over funerals, married couples, baptized many children, sponsored missionaries, and even saw a 77 year old gentleman proclaim faith in Jesus Christ!  We have come a long way in ten years.
        Much has changed since those humble days, but much remains the same as well.  Our worship is still centered on the preaching of the gospel, in the form of a dialogue with God.  We continue to sing the hymns from the Trinity Hymnal with the biblical depth and richness of its lyrics, while sprinkling in a few good praise songs along the way.  And, our children still learn the Westminster Shorter Catechism and are still included in all aspects of our church activities.  In my experience it seems that there is a certain strength and peace that comes over the church when there is continuity and steadiness in the ministry.  Trends and new programs come and go (and we may use some of them if biblical) but the main point is caring for God’s people so that they grow in faith, isn’t it?  That will always be our goal at Jubilee Pres.
        What, then, is ahead of us?  We have to see where the Lord leads us in 2013, but I hope that we grow in accepting our calling as a church to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”  We are called to “Go” and spread the gospel everywhere, starting from Irvine, California.  And, we are called to “make disciples” of those who are baptized in the name of the Triune God.  My prayer is that Jubilee will do these two things well, so that at the twentieth anniversary, we can look back and once again be amazed at how far our Lord has brought us.

--Pastor James K. Kim
jubileepci.org