— Yoon Wan‑Hee, August 28, 1997

Hello, everyone.

Beginning today, I am overjoyed to greet you through this new program, “Just As I Am.”

For the past three years, through the segment “Letters from the Parsonage” on Faith’s Courtyard—a program led by Deacon Mi‑Kyung Lee—I have been sending you letters of love. Now, being able to meet you directly through this program fills me with gratitude to the Lord, and I also want to thank Pastor Shin Jin‑Sik and all the staff at the station.

As I prepared and prayed for this program, I sensed that God wanted to shape and train the areas where I am still lacking. My heart became full of expectation for what God will do in the days ahead. Yet at the same time, I stand before this microphone with trembling, knowing my shortcomings, but also with joy at being able to come closer to you, our listeners. As someone who has long loved Christian broadcasting and supported it through prayer, I do not wish to be merely the host of this program—I want to be a fellow participant with you.

The purpose of “Just As I Am” is to share our various expressions of faith and the realities of our daily lives before the Lord, so that we may grow together. We will also hear from older and younger believers, including those raising second‑generation children in faith, and explore how immigrant parents and their children can bridge the gap between generations.

And especially, if you have words of encouragement, reflections from your walk of faith, or anything from your daily life you wish to share, please send them to me by letter or fax. I would love to read them together during this time. You may also call. Whether it is a burden or worry deep in your heart, a story of sorrow or anger, or a testimony of joy and hope—everything is welcome. If you wish, you may even join us through a phone interview.

After we listen to a hymn, we will continue our conversation.

Since this is our first broadcast, I would like to take a moment to introduce myself—not by listing my background or résumé, but in the simple way we used to introduce ourselves during our teenage years.

Aside from church ministry, I enjoy the kinds of hobbies many women have: flowers, birds, fish in a pond, and being surrounded by nature with my family. I love camping. My favorite colors are green, yellow, and pink. I enjoy writing at my computer. My favorite time of day is early morning, and in the evening I love taking a walk around the neighborhood with our dog. My favorite Scripture is the Psalms—especially Psalm 23.

There are many things I dislike or am not good at, but I will share those gradually.

My family includes my husband, Pastor Tae‑Hun Yoon of Lawrence Korean Church, and our children Sena, Serim, and Sejun. Our eldest daughter is a junior in college, our second daughter is in 10th grade, and our youngest son has just entered 7th grade. Our home is bustling with the busy life of raising children—like a bird’s nest full to the brim. Since our oldest attends college from home, it has brought many blessings to both our family and church life. And we have a one‑year‑old dog named Wolfman.

I think that is enough of an introduction for now. As time goes on, you will come to know me better—my weaknesses, my shortcomings, and the areas where I need prayer.

Today, I would like to share an interview with someone many of you know well. After a hymn, I will introduce them.

— Recording of a 10‑minute interview with Rev. David Oh and his wife —

Meeting Rev. Oh and his wife, I felt deeply that they are precious servants of God. Though nearing sixty, they were bright and full of youthful energy—perhaps because they have spent so many years ministering to college students. Though he is not Korean, his love for Korea and for our people was so passionate that it humbled me. It is truly a blessing to have such a pastor, missionary, and friend among us.

At a missions gathering, before praying for North Korea, he said with tears streaming down his face, “North Koreans are not bad people. They too are God’s beloved children and our brothers.” In that moment, I glimpsed the depth of his love. He shared that his dream is to spend the rest of his life in North Korea, preaching the gospel. Shall we join in prayer that his dream may be fulfilled?

Shall we listen to a hymn?

In our life of faith, we meet wonderful believers and spiritual mentors. Through fellowship, we receive comfort and encouragement, and we develop a longing for a holy and upright life. These encounters remind us how important fellowship truly is.

Encounters in faith are God’s gracious touch in our lives. It is important to speak often with those who have walked ahead of us in faith and receive their encouragement. But even more important is our meeting with the Lord Himself. The Lord longs to meet us today. He stands at the door of our hearts, waiting for us to open.

The Lord receives us just as we are. He gives rest to our weary souls and bodies, grants new visions and dreams, and transforms us. Some may feel uneasy about the idea of “change.” I once felt the same. I thought I had nothing in me that needed changing. But by God’s grace, when I came to see who I truly was, I realized I desperately needed transformation. I saw the ugliness within me—so deeply that I wept like a child, confessing my sins with sobs rising from my stomach. Through several painful moments of repentance, the illusions I held about myself—whether pride or inferiority—fell away. I came to know that I am God’s daughter, and that every person in this world is God’s precious child.

Repentance was like putting on new glasses: the world became clear, and I finally understood who I was.

Some say that only babies with wet diapers want to be changed. Many adults desire change but hesitate out of fear. Yet when we meet the Lord and allow Him to wash the parts of us that need cleansing, the freshness that follows renews all our relationships and enriches our lives. Gratitude for what we already have brings our souls and bodies into their best condition—because the Father who rules heaven and earth becomes the Lord of our lives, Jesus Christ walks with us, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Meeting the Creator who is near us and answers when we call is the most precious encounter of our lives.

Our time is nearly up. Dear listeners, I look forward to another precious meeting next time.

If you have testimonies, stories of faith, or even experiences of despair or pain that you wish to share on “Just As I Am,” please participate. Letters, phone calls, and faxes are all welcome.

Christian Broadcasting Network Phone: (212) 447‑0780 Fax: (212) 725‑9190 Address: KCBN, 1204 Broadway, Suite 400, New York, NY 10001 Please address your mail to the “Just As I Am” program.

I pray that you will walk in victory in the Lord this week.