Chris Lofland Missionary Fund

Hello Everyone! 
아녕하세요! 
I've been in Seoul, South Korea for nine months now!
It has been a crazy journey, and I'd like to share with you the different things I am involved in, and how you can help! 

 First of all we started our own ministry called "LifeGuard" which focuses on suicide prevention in South Korea. South Korea has the highest suicide rate for developed countries in the world. There is a bridge in Seoul where a large amount of suicides happen, so Min, Jordan, and I plus many volunteers patrol the bridge from 11:00 PM - 3:00 AM every Tuesday, and Thursday night. We speak to anyone that looks as though they need help, or someone to talk to. We have already prevented many suicides, and we have spoken at different events, church gatherings, and schools. We really see God doing amazing things through this minstry, and we are just his tools. We have a video explaining the ministry in better detail right here>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZhaaXkW2Bw

This photo is us the first night we went out, and this is a kid we met that was planning to end his life that night.
This is us with volunteers.(Also really great friends of ours.)
Promo photo
We were also on the international Korean news for our ministry.
Link to the news video: https://vimeo.com/153319323
Also here is a link to our website: www.lifeguard.live

LifeGuard is not the only thing I am involved in.  I also  work with a homeless ministry called, "Wednesdays In Seoul". It's called this because a large amount of homeless gather at a subway station called, "Seoul Station", and we go on Wednesday nights.  I participate  with a group of great people that have become some of my best friends! The ministry was their idea, and I decided to join it.   The ministry is run by Korean's in their 20's from many different church communities.



Not only do we feed the homeless, but we also sit with them, start converstations with them, and just show them the love of Jesus through actions, and words when needed. We pray for them if they ask for it, and also we are making the first steps to meet a new goal.  We want
to help bring them out of homelessness.  Currently we are doing a fundraiser for a homeless man that we know. We hope to get him a place to stay so he can get a job, and then pay for his rent himself. 
These people are great young men and women of God that I feel honored to work with. I truly see their heart for the homeless, and it gives me hope for future generations of Christ followers that truly want to live a life like Jesus.

Yet again, I work with another ministry. This ministry is called, "Landmarker Ministries", and they do many things, but I help them with their College campus evangelism, and their coffee shop. This is another group of mostly young Korean's that have a heart for the foreign students that attend the many Universities surrounding their coffee shop. They minister by going on the campuses and trying to make friends with different people, and by organizing different events/concerts to invite people to. 

Here we are on campus trying to meet people.
performer at the coffee shop.
(They needed an English speaker to introduce the performer... so that's why I was on stage! haha)

One of the great things about the international students at these universities is a lot of them are Chinese. The ministry has reached many Chinese students because most of them have never heard the gospel before, so it's easier to share it with them. There are even two Chinese students that now do evanglism with us on the campus.  It's really amazing when you can see first hand disciples making disciples, and then making even more disciples! I really enjoy being a part of this ministry, and it really it great working with such amazing people. 

The church community I gather with is called, "Ocean City" and they are really a true family, and it's amazing being a part of it. Never have I felt so supported, and so much like I can really depend on them all. 
I live in a community house with fellow Ocean City members. Min, Jordan, plus Peter Chun, and Brian Park. Peter acts as the house leader, and he does a great job discipling us, and it's great for our growth as young men trying to become closer to God day by day.

Now that I've shared with you my heart, let me share with you what I need to continue.

First of all my rent is completely taken care of. It costs me about 300$ USD, and my parents will be providing me with that for the next year.

I have found that I cannot get a working visa in South Korea.  In the nine months I've been there, I have had to leave the country every three months, and then come back on a tourist visa. It has worked so far, but it's expensive, and even though it's technically legal Immigration doesn't like it. There is a visa called the D-6 visa, and it's perfect for what I need. It's a missionary visa.  It allows me to stay in the country for a year, and I can renew at the end of every year! The requirements are that a religous organization in South Korea sponsors me, and Ocean City is my sponsor.

The second requirement is that I have proof of financial support from the United States. As I've stated before my rent is already taken care of, but I still need monthly funding for food, clothing, and transportation.

I need donors to donate each month, that are willing to commit for a year I still need donors for a total of $200 a month, and this could be spread between multiple donors. If you are interested in being a monthly donor please contact me so when applying for my visa I can provide the information to them. 

If you can't be a monthly donor, any donation you make through GoFundMe is appreciated.

Thank you so much everyone who has already donated, If your church would let me come and speak to them,  or know someone who you think would be interested please contact me, or share this  with them. I am currently in the US until June 16th, so I am willing to speak and share what I am doing while I'm in the States.

Thank you to everyone that read this! Have a wonderful day.  I appreciate your belief in me. 

Sincerely,

Christopher James Lofland