Leader Spotlight: Yong

I’m very excited to introduce a new series here at ArkYouth.org. In the coming days/weeks, we are updating our very outdated Staff page. While this page will provide a quick glance of who we are, it will also provide links to interviews of the leadership team conducted by Ark students!

These interviews will include questions that YOU want to know! Exciting stuff! To get us started, here’s the interview of yours truly….

[Interview by Noah Cho]

Name: Yong “Juan” Oh
Age: 31 years old
Weight: 150 lb
Height: 5’8”
Married?: Yes, to Rachel Oh
Child?: Sophia “Bi-won” Oh
Favorite food and drink: Bone-in rib eye cooked medium and water
Education: LA High, UCLA with a major in East Asian Studies
No grad school?: No, but if I could go now I would go to seminary and if I have time, go to business school

Hi Yong! Let’s start off with the most important question…what’s your position in the hierarchy of Ark leaders?
I am the “Director”

Wow, that sounds impressive. So what do you do Mr. Director?
I oversee the Friday and Sunday meetings and give the Friday sermon. I also develop small group curriculum and train and develop the staff

So do you enjoy Ark?
Yes. Being part of ark is a commitment though. It’s good to like it.

Great attitude. So who’s your favorite Ark student?
One that loves Jesus

Awesome. Now let’s go to some fun questions. What ticks you off the most in Ark and in the world?
If you’re disrespecting God, you better watch out. In general, I hate slow drivers.

So Yong, how’d you meet your wife?
I met her at a UCLA small group meeting. I had no feelings for her at the time though.

Oh well, too bad. Next question. So what’s your favorite sport?
Well, I enjoy watching basketball, especially the Lakers. As for football, I enjoy watching UCLA. To play, however, my favorite sport would have to be volleyball

Awesome. What’s your favorite movie Yong?
Braveheart because the story is incredible. It’s about a man who believed in what is right and let nothing stop him. I also like Matrix because of the effects and because Neo struggles. He is a hero but has human emotions

What’s your favorite movie quote?
“Water is the essence of wetness, and wetness is the essence of beauty…merman!…Merman!” - Derek Zoolander, “Zoolander”

So Yong, are you a registered Democrat or Republican
Neither, I don’t’ believe in party lines.

That’s what I’m talking about!!! Still, who are you going to vote f-
I don’t want to answer

…okay then! So Yong, what’s your favorite Christian band and non-Christian band?
David Crowder because he’s not ashamed to try different styles and U2 because they’re just cool.

Good, good. So do you have a favorite instrument?
The guitar.

Not the piano, but that’s good. Why?
Because you can sing and play at the same time. Also, it’s portable

Awesome. Then what’s your least favorite instrument
The bassoon.

That seems to be a common answer…poor bassoon players
What’s your favorite weather, sir?
Cloudy, gloomy, and chilly with a slight breeze

You poor, sad soul….oh, so do you have a favorite superhero?
Havoc.

Scuse me?
Havoc from the X-Men. He’s incredibly cool, but no one pays attention to him.

Oh my…do you identify with him?
No, but-

That’s so sad…
So Yong, what’s your ideal day off?
To go to the park with my daughter and take pictures.

Oooh that’s right, you love photography. Why?
I enjoy capturing moments in life.

So if you could have another child, would you?
Yes.

Would you be satisfied with a son?
I would, I would name him Micah.

Not Noah Cho? What a shame
Noah, I think you forgot to ask me why I decided to get into youth ministry.

Hmm did I? I’m pretty sure I…okay just kidding
Well, I’ve always liked youth. It all started though when I went to my youth group as a teenager. It wasn’t really being in the youth group, but when I left it I realized I needed to make a difference in the youth. I saw many of my youth group friends stop going to church and becoming far from God. I then said to myself “If I had the opportunity, I would teach youth what it means to be Christian.”

…that’s deep. Let’s end with that. Thanks Yong!
You’re welcome, Noah

City Tour 2008 - 2

March 15, 2008
@ Downtown Los Angeles

ARK Generation 1

Not too long ago, we were treated to a visit by a few of our alumni. Chris, Andrew, Jonathan, Miranda, and Ugil were with us from the beginning back when Ark started in 2002. While Miranda and Ugil went on to join our college group here at the Garden, Christ/Andrew/Jonathan is now serving faithfully at another church.

It was such a treat to see everyone back together again. We spent a while reminiscing and walking down memory lane. God has really been good to Ark over the years.

If you have a mobile pic you’d like to see as the “Mobile Pic of the Week,” just send your pic to mobilepics@arkyouth.org!

Teen’s Choices 30 ways to Rock your World

Title: Teen\'s Choices 30 Ways to Rock Your World
Author: Walnut Grove Press

(guest post by Danny Kim)

Teen’s Choices 30 ways to Rock your World by Walnut Grove Press (Editor) is a book that every Arkster should read.

In this book there are thirty choices that involve your average teen’s everyday life at school and at home. There are passages in the bible, quotes from famous authors such as Max Lucado(3:16 Numbers of Hope) and C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia), a theme with a short passage and a prayer at the end. In this book my favorite choice is “Following Jesus.” In this choice it has a quote that states, “Resolution one: I will follow Jesus. Resolution two: If no one else does, I still will.” Every morning during my QT I read this book and it really is a book that can go great with the One Minute Bible. Reading this book is a great way to live a better life.

Praying for the Evacuees

As many of you know, fires are ablaze in the foothills of Porter Ranch. Many of the families of our current and former Ark students have already been evacuated. And to make matters worse, winds are expected to pick up tonight all the way till morning.

Please be in prayer that the brave men and women battling this fire will be able to contain it. Pray for those who have already lost their homes, that God’s comfort will help them through this difficult time.

Nic’s Soccer Game

October 4, 2008
@ Bischoff Park

Staying Cool

After a long hard day of setting up dozens of tables and umbrellas, Christian, Michaela, and Robin chill out on “the boulder” in the brand new playground. Don’t they look so cool? They got some well-deserved rest…and they needed it because a few short hours later, they had to baby-sit a room full of kids for 5 hours!

If you have a mobile pic you’d like to see as the “Mobile Pic of the Week,” just send your pic to mobilepics@arkyouth.org!