November 2026 ministry update and prayer
[Click the video to watch our November 2026 ministry update with English subtitles.]
Godās Grace Began with Empty Chairs
Dear Ministry Partners,
As the busiest ten weeks of fall semester ministry have come to an end, we are finally taking a moment to catch our breath and reflect on all that God has done. Along with photos from our 2026 New Jersey Fall Retreat, which concluded a few weeks ago by Godās grace, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you who faithfully walk alongside us through your prayers, love, and support.
Every fall semester brings new challenges, but this one has been especially meaningful and demanding for Gyeongseon and me. As we took on additional campuses previously served by fellow staff members, we found ourselves responsible for launching new
ministries and strengthening several smaller campus movements.
Meeting with students each week and starting new gatherings sometimes felt overwhelming. Yet during those moments, the words of Romans 1:16 spoke to our hearts more deeply than ever and gave us courage:
āFor I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.ā ā Romans 1:16 (ESV)
We were reminded once again that the strength to continue this ministry does not come from our experience or abilities. It comes from the gospel itselfāthe power of God that brings salvation.
The more we recognized our own limitations, the more we learned to depend on the Lord. And through that dependence, we experienced His faithfulness.
We would especially love to share with you how we witnessed God's grace at William Paterson University.
Three Nathans and a New Beginning on Campus
This fall, Cru at William Paterson University began with an unexpected challenge.
Of the two student leaders who had led the ministry the previous semester, one graduated over the summer, while the other was unable to continue serving because of an internship. Most of the other students involved had also graduated. By the time the new semester began, there were no student leaders left to lead the ministry.
We honestly did not know where to begin.
But we knew we could not stop sharing the gospel with students.
We began praying and reaching out to students who had attended Cru meetings in the past. Then we heard back from Nathan, a sophomore who had attended just one or two Cru meetings the previous year.
Nathan was willing to help.
Together, we participated in the campus Club Fair, met new students, and began preparing for our first meeting.
A week later, the day of our first meeting arrived.
Because we had not yet been able to reserve a classroom, we had to meet in a third-floor lounge of the student center.
We arrived early with the food we had prepared. As we looked at the empty chairs, we began to pray.
We had no idea how many students would comeāor whether we would even be able to continue holding meetings on this campus.
All we could do was ask God to bringĀ students and establish a community centered on the gospel.
By God's grace, ten students showed up for that first meeting!
Except for Nathan, every student was a freshman.
We introduced ourselves, shared food, enjoyed fellowship, and ended our first gathering with grateful hearts. Yet even as we celebrated, another concern began to grow.
Many students come to a first meeting simply out of curiosity. But returning for a second meeting often means they are genuinely interested in becoming part of the community.
For that reason, the second meeting felt like an even greater challenge.
Once again, we arrived early, prayed, and waited for students to come.
To our surprise, ten students showed up again! Two of them were attending for the very first time.
And something else made that meeting especially memorable.
There were three young men in the room who all shared the same nameāNathan!
As I watched the students express their interest in faith and community, I approached the two new Nathans and asked whether they would consider serving as Cru student leaders.
Without hesitation, they both replied:
āI'm down!ā
Just like that, a campus that had started the semester without a single student leader now had a new leadership team of three Nathans.
A few weeks later, we experienced another encouraging moment.
During a brief prayer time at our regular Thursday meeting, one young woman began sharing a personal struggle. As she spoke, she became emotional and started to cry.
Without being asked, the other young women gathered around her and began praying for her.
Watching them respond to someone's pain with compassion and prayer, we could see that something meaningful was beginning to grow within this small community.
Students were learning to care for one another, encourage one another, and walk together in faith.
At the same time, we realized how important it was to have a female student leader who could listen to and spiritually encourage the young women in our group.
We later invited C, a junior, to join the leadership team. Thankfully, she accepted and began attending our leadership meetings.
A campus that began the semester with no student leaders now has four student leaders!
What encourages us most is the students' willingness to take initiative and their growing enthusiasm for ministry.
At every leadership meeting, they discuss ways to share the gospel with their friends, prepare Bible studies, and pray with excitement for what God may do next.
Beginning in November, they have also decided to launch a student-led outreach gathering every Tuesday.
Just a few months ago, we were not even sure whether the ministry could continue.Ā
But today, in the very place where we once prayed in front of empty chairs, students are gathering to pray for one another, study God's Word, and prepare to share the gospel.
As we reflect on this semester, we are reminded once again that campus ministry is not built on our experience or plans alone.
It is God who enables us to plant seeds of the gospel, brings people into our lives, and guides them as they grow in faith.
This community is still small and fragile. Our four student leaders are only beginning their journey of serving others.
Yet we are praying with joyful anticipation for what God will continue to do through this small beginning.
Campus Update
Beyond William Paterson University, we are also seeing students grow in God's Word, share the gospel, and build communities of faith on the other campuses we serve.
NJIT ā New Jersey Institute of Technology
At NJIT, we are holding five regular gatherings each week with our new student leaders.
On November 10, we plan to host āGod & Teriyaki,āĀ an outreach event where students can invite their friends. We are also preparing Thanksgiving and Christmas events in November and December.
Please pray that these gatherings will open doors for new friendships and meaningful opportunities to share the gospel.
FDU Metro ā Fairleigh Dickinson University, Metropolitan Campus
At FDU Metro, student leaders Allan and Anny are leading weekly Bible studies.
We are also building a community of faith through monthly gatherings for prayer, worship, and fellowship.
Our hope is that students will grow in God's Word, encourage one another in their faith, and become disciples who share Christ's love with others on campus.
Kean Jersey City (formerly NJCU)
Kean Jersey City is one of the campuses where we began a new ministry this semester.
Together with student leader Christophe, we are holding weekly outreach and Bible study gatherings.
Although the ministry is still in its early stages, we are praying that students will hear the gospel, come to know Jesus Christ personally, and become part of a growing community of faith.
FDU Florham ā Fairleigh Dickinson University, Florham Campus
FDU Florham is another campus we began serving this semester.
We are working with a student named Anna to strengthen the ministry and build relationships with new students.
We continue to pray and prepare for opportunities to bring students together. Our hope is to see a community established where students can study God's Word, encourage one another, and grow in their faith.
Every campus has its own challenges, opportunities, and unique ministry environment.
But our hope remains the same:
That students will hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, grow in their faith, and become disciples who share the gospel with other students.
Please Pray with Us
1. For Campus Outreach and New Disciples
Please pray for our regular outreach gatherings at William Paterson University, Kean Jersey City, and FDU Metro.
Pray that the gospel will be communicated clearly and that new students will come to know Jesus Christ personally, grow in their faith, and become disciples who share the gospel with their friends.
We also ask for your special prayers for FDU Florhamāthat God would raise up another student leader and help the campus ministry become more active and established.
2. For Fall Outreach Events and Workers for the Harvest
On November 10, NJIT will host āGod & Teriyaki,ā a special outreach event where students can invite their friends.
Please pray that more than 250 students will attend and have an opportunity to hear the gospel.
As Thanksgiving approaches, our campuses are also preparing Thanksgiving potlucks and fellowship events.
Pray that these gatherings will create opportunities to meet new students, build genuine friendships, and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said:
āThe harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.ā ā Matthew 9:37ā38 (ESV)
Please pray that God would raise up more workers for the harvest.
Pray also that our student leaders will prepare these events with wisdom and love, and that all the practical arrangementsāincluding room reservations and university approval processesāwill go smoothly.
3. For the Cru East Coast Conference and Students' Spiritual Growth
Approximately 120 students registered for our Fall Retreat this past October, and by God's grace, we completed the entire retreat safely and successfully.
Thank you so much for praying with us!
We are now preparing for the Cru East Coast Conference, which will take place during the first week of January 2027.
Please pray that many students from New Jersey will attend and that, through biblical teaching and worship, they will gain a deeper understanding of the gospel and discover God's calling for their lives.
Pray that the spiritual challenges and encouragement they receive at the conference will lead to daily obedience, helping them grow as disciples who bear witness to Jesus Christ on their campuses and wherever God has placed them.
4. For Our Health and Our Planned Visit to Korea
Both Gyeongseon and I have lumps in our chest areas that require regular medical examinations. However, because of financial difficulties, we have had to postpone these follow-up examinations for the past one to two years.
In 2027, we hope to visit Korea to celebrate our parents' 80th birthdays and spend time with them.
We are also exploring ways to receive the medical examinations we have been putting off during that visit.
Please pray that God will provide the necessary finances and help us arrange our travel and medical appointments.
Pray that we will be able to receive the appropriate examinations, understand our health conditions accurately, and obtain any necessary follow-up care.
Above all, please pray that we will remain healthy and able to continue serving in campus ministry.
5. For a Safe Ministry Vehicle and the Necessary Finances
Around 2020, the parents of one of our students generously gave us a minivan.
Over the years, this vehicle has been an incredible blessing, allowing us to travel between campuses and serve countless students.
We have used it with deep gratitude.
However, the minivan has now traveled more than 200,000 miles, and during a recent routine inspection, we were informed of 16 items requiring attention because of potential safety concerns.
The estimated repair costs were much higher than we expected, making it financially difficult to address everything at once.
Our immediate priority is to complete the most important repairs needed for safe transportation.
At the same time, we realize that we may need to begin preparing for a replacement ministry vehicle in the longer term.
Please pray for wisdom as we evaluate the condition of the vehicle, for a safe and practical solution, and for the financial resources needed.
We ask for your prayers that we will be able to continue traveling safely between campuses as we serve students and share the gospel.
Partner with Us in the Work of the Gospel
Dear Ministry Partners,
We are able to travel between campuses, share the gospel with students, help them grow in God's Word, and raise up the next generation of disciples because of your faithful prayers and financial support.
We are deeply grateful for the ways you have continued to stand with us in this ministry.
As we look ahead, we would like to share two important financial needs and invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us.
1. We Need Six New Monthly Partners Giving $100 Each
At present, our regular monthly support is approximately $600 short of what we needĀ to sustain our ministry and living expenses.
If this shortfall continues, we anticipate significant challenges in maintaining a stable campus ministry beginning in the spring semester of 2027.
We are praying for six new ministry partners who would commit to giving $100 per month.
This additional monthly support would help Gyeongseon and me continue meeting with students, sharing the gospel, leading Bible studies, providing spiritual encouragement, and investing in discipleship.
Your monthly support is more than a financial contribution.
It is a meaningful partnership in the work of the gospel, enabling us to remain present on campuses and faithfully share the good news of Jesus Christ with students.
Please pray that God will provide for this need.
And if you are able, we would be deeply grateful if you would consider joining our monthly support team.
2. We Need $3,000 in Special Gifts for November Outreach and the Cru Winter Conference
November is an important season of outreach for our ministry.
We are focusing on friend-invitation outreach events at the five campuses we currently serve, while also preparing to launch ministries at two additional campuses.
Each campus is planning outreach opportunities suited to its students and ministry environment, creating welcoming spaces where students can invite friends, build relationships, and hear the gospel.
We are also preparing for the upcoming Cru Winter Conference.
Some students would love to attend but are hesitant to register because of financial difficulties.
We especially want students from smaller campus ministries to have the opportunity to grow spiritually through biblical teaching, worship, and Christian community.
To help make this possible, we hope to provide scholarships toward their conference registration fees.
We are praying for a total of $3,000 in special giftsĀ to support these needs.
These funds will be used for campus outreach events and registration scholarships for students attending the winter conference.
We invite you to join us in helping students hear the gospel, grow in God's Word, and become disciples who follow Jesus Christ.
With Heartfelt Gratitude
The new beginning we witnessed at William Paterson University this semester has been a tremendous encouragement to us.
When we look at a campus that began with no student leaders but now has four new leadersāand see students taking the initiative to prepare for sharing the gospel with their friendsāwe are reminded once again of God's grace.
Our desire is not simply to see our campus gatherings grow in number.
What we long to see is each student coming to know Jesus Christ personally, growing in God's Word, and becoming a disciple who shares the gospel with others.
We can continue going to campuses with this hope because of faithful ministry partners like you, who stand with us through prayer and financial support, often in ways that are unseen.
We still remember that day when we stood before empty chairs and prayed that God would bring students. Today, as we see students gathering in those same places and new leaders stepping forward, we give thanks for God's grace in these small beginnings.
Please continue praying that Gyeongseon and I will remain faithful to the gospel and serve each student with Christlike love.
We, too, are committed to carrying out the ministry God has entrusted to us with humility and faithfulness.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for walking alongside us through your prayers, love, and generosity.
May God's grace and peace abound in your homes and throughout your lives.
In Christ's love,Ā
Gyeongseon & Heegi KimNovember, 2026
