JOY, A Christian club affiliated with the Christian Union at Yonsei University, is a community of Christian students who participate in mission activities and worship together. JOY welcomes anyone interested in Christianity, and its goals include spreading love and providing individuals with the confidence to continue their spiritual lives post-graduation. The Yonsei Annals interviewed JOY members Kang Myeong-cheol (Sr., Dept. of Electrical & Electronic Engin.) and Kim Ha-ram (Sr., Dept. of Applied Statistics) to get a better understanding of the club. 

Annals: Can you briefly introduce JOY? 

JOY: JOY is a Christian club affiliated with the Christian Union at Yonsei University. Our slogan is “Jesus first, others second, you third.” It is a community of Christian students at Yonsei University who participate in mission activities, worship together, and share their experiences with one another.

Annals: What are JOY’s main activities?

JOY: JOY is divided into two communities, one for each Yonsei campus located in Sinchon and Songdo. Sinchon is geared towards students who are in their second year or higher, while Songdo is primarily for freshmen. JOY members typically gather every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to worship together at the Seo Ji-boo Center in Sinchon. During the gathering, professors who are responsible for each campus deliver sermons, and students then share their thoughts during a sharing session. This session allows them to discuss what they thought about the message and share their perspectives with one another.

Annals: What other efforts or activities are there for the unity of JOY members? 

JOY: In addition to worship, we also have small group meetings for five to six members that meet outside of regular worship times to share a meal and have discussions. During these meetings, they have a special time called “Personal Bible Story (PBS).” This is a time where they individually explore, question, and analyze biblical teachings throughout the week and then share their thoughts with the members of the small group. Our club aims to build camaraderie among the members and get to know each other better through these processes.

Annals: What are some advantages of joining JOY? 

Kang: Joining JOY seems to bring about a strong sense of solidarity. Many people feel that it is difficult to receive attention and love from others in their lives, but within JOY, just being there is enough to receive a great deal of interest from other members. 

Kim: The club has less of an emphasis on compulsory activities, and members have the flexibility to participate in activities that suit their interests. 

Annals: Who do you recommend joining JOY to? 

Kang: Anyone who is interested in Christianity is welcome and recommended to join JOY. Regardless of their academic year, both underclassmen and upperclassmen are welcome to join. JOY is a good fit for those who want to learn more about Christianity in a specific way and at the same time learn about community life. Most importantly, JOY welcomes everyone, regardless of their background.

Kim: JOY is recommended for students who want to have deep relationships where they can safely discuss even the smallest concerns, rather than just having shallow relationships.

Annals: What are some goals set by JOY and its members? 

Kim: JOY's goal is to continue spreading love. Through interactions with JOY members, individuals can learn how to give and receive love. JOY's greatest goal is to help individuals learn how to pass on the love they have received in a positive way and put it into practice.

Kang: The goal is to provide individuals with the confidence to continue their spiritual lives even after graduating from college and entering society. JOY aims to help individuals gain knowledge and understanding of Christianity, as well as connections with other Christians, so that they can become faithful Christians even after graduation.

Annals: What are some of your favorite activities in JOY? 

Kim: My favorite activity in JOY is the Disciple Training Course (DTC). It is a program held during school vacation periods, consisting of about six regular meetings where we choose specific Bible verses or faith-related books to learn about and explore different topics. Through this program, I learned how to properly read the Bible, and the process helped me further develop my faith. DTC is also a team activity with several people, which provided me the opportunity to broaden my spiritual perspectives through interactions with others, hearing their opinions as well as sharing my own.

Kang: I love the retreat called Su-yang-hoe, which is a type of Membership Training (MT) program. It is held during school vacation periods, where we stay together for a few days and usually takes place twice a year during the summer and winter vacations. In this program, we have the opportunity to listen to spiritual messages and participate in fun recreational activities, making for enjoyable and memorable experiences. Su-yang-hoe feels like a way for JOY members to come together to wrap up and conclude the semester's activities.

Annals: Have you experienced any personal changes after joining JOY? 

Kang: Joining JOY provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the things I used to take for granted in my daily life. In particular, I used to have little interest in those around me, but through involvement in JOY's activities, I have become more involved in community activities, leading to a change in my attitude towards others and a greater sense of curiosity and love towards them. As a result, I have been able to naturally form deeper and more meaningful relationships.

Kim: Through my involvement in JOY, I feel like I have learned how to listen better. I have learned how to listen to others and ask questions, leading to more meaningful conversations. Additionally, by meeting various people in JOY, I have come to understand and appreciate diversity and differences more and have become someone who strives to accept and understand others.

Annals: Do you have any final words for students interested in JOY? 

JOY: If you ever have a story or a concern that you can't share with anyone else, JOY is a great place to go. If you have any worries or thoughts like that, I highly recommend joining JOY.