A special seminar was provided for the 1st wave mission teams of KCCC (Korea Campus Crusade for Christ) USA who had just entered Korea after serving three weeks in their respective mission fields. The seminar focused on how to readjust to society after a mission trip and getting ready for a new beginning. It took place on July 1st at Phoenix Park Ski Resort, right after the 2014 CCC Summer Conference.
The Speaker for that day was Bobby Oh, a full-time staff with KCCC in Los Angeles, and who was also the missions director for KCCC USA. The main topic was what many leaders liked to call PMS or Post Mission Syndrome which is a combination of common “symptoms” that often occur to Christians who just return home after a long period of spiritual activities.
The atmosphere of the lecture was somewhat similar to that of veterans’ meeting right after they return from war except in this case it was a room full of God’s soldiers who had just come back from great spiritual battles. However, Bobby Oh reminded the students present that returning home almost 2 months before the new quarter and new season of campus ministry could stir up more spiritual battles than being in the mission field.
While serving in Mongolia, Indonesia and Thailand and other countries all the students had to live according to a very regular schedule which always involved morning quite time, Bible study as well as constantly sharing the Gospel with other people. However when the students return to America, they are very unlikely to maintain the regular lifestyle they acquired during missions.
Many student missionaries in the past tended to forget about the blessings they received in the mission field and often become extremely depressed after separating from their team mates with whom they were together 24-7 for almost a month while doing ministry. The students were given a great deal of practical advice that the remainder of their summer break could be another opportunity for spiritual growth.
It is important to remember that wherever a Christian is can be a mission field. In other words, the students should not be discouraged or depressed that their short term mission trip is over, but prepare themselves for another whole year of campus ministry and reaching the non-believers at their schools. Bobby recommended learning to play guitar or even using Photoshop so no time would be wasted.
Post Mission Syndrome is something that caused a great deal of difficulty for KCCC members who returned from missions, and many attempts were made to tackle the problem. For instance all the regions of the CCC in Korea continues to host regular chapels every week so students could come and worship together.
