A Spiritual Retreat Journey

Rev. Koo with Vice-president (Research) Wong Fook-kong

　　I thank God for allowing me to continue my studies at my alma mater after completing the Master of Divinity program. After a turbulent journey of nine years, I have finally completed this entire phase of learning, which has helped me to further understand the infinite God I believe in and has equipped me to lead and shepherd fellow believers to know Him more.

A Turbulent Journey

　　It is by no means exaggerating to describe this journey as “turbulent.” Looking back to 2013, I faced a bottleneck in my ministry and went through a very challenging period in my service. I was in a spiritual low, but thanks to God, I had the opportunity to have a detailed conversation with President Joshua Cho, who gave me invaluable pastoral care. After carefully understanding my situation, President Cho did not analyze the difficulties I was facing or offer solutions to those problems. Instead, he directly recognized the spiritual issues and needs in my life. He suggested that I return to the seminary, a place that had previously nurtured my spirituality, to continue being equipped to serve. President Cho didn’t just want me to return to the seminary for further “study,” but he hoped I could find a “retreat” in the weekly classes—a chance to withdraw from the turbulence and enter a peaceful, closer relationship with God, allowing me to face the turbulent situations spiritually.

An Opportunity for a Spiritual Retreat

　　I believe that this was indeed a divine appointment. In 2014, I returned to the campus, enrolling in two courses during the first semester. One of the courses was “Biblical Archaeology,” which opened my eyes to an entirely new area of knowledge. The other course, which I found to be a time of “retreat” God arranged specifically for me, was “Jewish Literature Study in the Second Temple Period.” Among others, I studied the Books of the Maccabees. In September 2014, the “Occupy Central” movement officially broke out in Hong Kong. Coincidentally, I was studying the Books of the Maccabees at that time, which helped me to develop a deeper theological reflection on the events. Furthermore, by returning to seminary, my learning became a chance for “retreat.” This allowed me to minister to my fellow believers during the turbulent times with a more spiritual perspective. I believe that without returning to seminary for a “retreat” during that period, it would have been challenging for me to support my brothers and sisters with a stable spirituality given my turbulent inner life at that time.

Navigating Storms with the Lord

　　Another turbulent period came when I completed all my coursework and began preparing for my graduation thesis. God called me into a new ministry field. However, as I needed to adapt to the new environment, I could not but leave aside the writing of my graduation thesis. As I began adapting to my role and service in this new field, social events erupted in 2019. Thankfully, the continuous years of study and “retreat” life at the seminary from 2014 to 2018 had, I believe, brought healing and strength to my spirituality. This enabled me to have a better discerning power in the Holy Spirit to navigate the turbulent situation and support my church in relatively calm waters during the “social divide.” But then came three years of the pandemic, which brought drastic changes to churches, society, and even the seminary. Completing my graduation thesis seemed incomprehensibly difficult. However, God arranged for the renovation of the seminary’s curriculum and provided me with a way to complete my studies smoothly under the new system. This marked the end of my “retreat” days amidst the turbulence.

　　Today, I have graduated, but I believe this is just the beginning of the next phase. God allowed me to undergo a spiritual retreat amidst these nine years of turbulence. I firmly believe He has been uplifting me, enabling me to continue my work on the path of service. In times of turbulence, He showed me that He is the Lord who calmed the stormy seas, sitting with me in the same boat, and guiding me through the waves. Thank you, Lord!