Today we’d like to introduce you to Jin Jang.
Hi Jin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I went to Beijing to study Chinese after graduating from university. Studying abroad in China was not easy, so I became absorbed in my religious life in church. While in China, I became convinced of God’s call and after a few years, I went to a seminary in Korea. After graduating from seminary, I served a Korean church on Saipan Island in the South Pacific as a full-time minister. I felt the need to study theology more while doing church ministry, so I came to Philadelphia to study. While serving a Korean church in Philadelphia, I happened to take the ministry for the developmentally disabled. I was touched to see many people with developmental disabilities enjoy worshiping every Sunday. Due to my experience at that time, I am currently serving One Ministry Atlanta Inc (missionary organization for the developmentally disabled and their family).
Our organization especially has people with severe developmental disabilities. To be honest, they are generally not welcome in developmentally disabled groups. They need more attention than people with mild developmental disabilities, so there have been no people who have been interested in them and serve them intensively. This is why what I’m doing now is even more special.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We are dealing with people with severe disabilities and cannot accommodate a large number. Our center has three employees and three special activity teachers. We serve about five to eight people with developmental disabilities. They receive funds from the state and register programs for them, but there are not always enough funds. Our organization relies on sponsorship, not just on their funds. It is urgent for us to inform people that we have a group of people with severe developmental disabilities and recruit sponsors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One Ministry, a nonprofit organization founded by parents with disabled children, is providing day programs for those with severe disabilities. Our program will offer programs that are full of social activities where children can learn essential living skills while enjoying social interactions. Furthermore, we aim to provide a caregiver to student ratio from 1:1 to 1:3. One Ministry believes in one very simple thing: that everyone, even with those with disabilities, should be given the right to pursue happiness. We have been dreaming and fighting for what most people take it as granted.
What are your plans for the future?
In addition to serving the developmentally disabled, our vision is to preach the gospel to the families of the disabled who do not yet know Jesus. If we do not preach the gospel, there will be no purpose for our organization to exist. I hope our organization will be a place where God does what he wants. We need your prayers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.one-ministry.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/oneministry.atl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077045592954
