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 In the coming days/weeks, we are updating our very outdated Staff page.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

ARK Fall Term 2008

Another school year is upon us! One grade up and one grade closer to graduation! With each new year brings plenty of responsibility. Not only are more homework assigned, but we’re faced with more life choices that we all need to make.

What will be new school be like? What will my new teachers be like? Who do I talk to? Who do I hang out with? Will my friends change? Will I change?

So many things change, but there’s always one thing that stays the same. GOD! When it’s so easy to lose site of what’s important during this season of change, always remember that we stand on a foundation that never lets us down!

This year at ARK will be exciting times for everyone involved. Get ready to experience God like never before!

ARK in Navajo!

No, I’m not talking about moving our meeting place, but I’m talking about missions! This year, the Navajo Missions team has the most number of ARKsters ever!! Who’s on the roster from ARK? Let’s see. There’s Joel, Nathan, Christina, Grace. And alumni like Melissa, Jonathan, Charlie and Gowa (edit: thanks for the reminder Drew). And even an ARK parent!

It warms my heart so much to see so many of our students opening their hearts to missions work. I have to admit, I have a soft spot for Navajo missions. I first went in 1999 and fell in love with the people there. But more importantly, I fell in love with God’s kingdom work and acknowledged His call upon my life for ministry.

For our ARK students especially, Navajo missions is a perfect opportunity to experiencing God working outside of our regular lives. It will transform your life! Although, it’s too late to join this year’s team, you all have a full year to think about joining next year’s team.

But in the meantime, let’s pray for the Navajo team, especially for our fellow ARKsters. Please pray for:

• Safety, especially with regard to all the traveling in those big vans
• Anointing, to bring healing with hugging
• Strength, especially with regard to the long days and little sleep

Finally, here are some pics of the missions trip from last year:

• Navajo 2007
• Navajo 2007: Sedona

The New Cellphone Law and You

By now you’ve probably heard about California’s new cellphone law. But have you taken the time to really know what it’s all about?

Starting July 1st, every person in the state cannot use their cellphones while driving unless they use a handsfree device (wired/wireless headset, car adapter, etc). If you’re pulled over for breaking this new law, the fine starts at $20. You may think that’s not much but with court fees, it can go well above $100 per ticket. AND, the law also makes it easier for others to sue you if you caused an accident from using a cellphone! So be careful.

But the biggest change from this new law is that ANYONE under 18 cannot use a cellphone while driving, period. It doesn’t matter if you use a handsfree device. If you’re under 18, you can’t use a cellphone.

So make sure you follow this new law!

What is RSS?

You may have seen this little icon all over the internet. Have you ever wondered what this little thing is for?

Well, I wrote about this in my personal blog, but this little orange button (it also comes in other colors and designs) is called an RSS icon. RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” Instead of clicking and clicking…and clicking on the internet to visit all your favorite websites, you can have your favorite websites come to you!

But before I go on, have a gander at this little explanation video:

Pretty cool, huh? I personally use Google Reader for all my subscriptions. And the best part is that you can also subscribe to this website as well. Once you do, you’ll never miss a new post again!