[Interview] At Thirty My Dream of a Professional Doctorate in Law Came True, Not by My Efforts but by His Grace
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November 21, 2010 |
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 At just 30 years old, Sister Jaewon Park received a doctoral degree of law from Dankook University on August 20, 2010 and now is working as senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Intellectual Property. When she is asked "How were you able to be so successful in receiving your doctorate of law?" she answers, "God can let me accomplish more than I can do for His glory." Now let's read her candid story.
Q: "Were you born into a Christian home?"
A: "No. My parents told me the truth of Buddhism is more correct than that of Christianity. In the July of 2003, I was guided to attend the Sunday morning worship service of Manmin Central Church by a senior of mine at the university. I enjoyed the worship service from the moment I entered the sanctuary and registered at the church as a regular member without any uncomfortable sense of rejection. Everything was by the grace of God. From that day I attended Sunday morning service regularly, and began to enjoy church life with the help and love of a few leaders of Canaan Mission."
Q: "What was the turning point in your faith?"
A: "In May of 2004, I was attending the 12th Two-week Special Revival Meeting and witnessed firsthand many people receiving healing and testifying to their healing by the prayer of Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee. My heart began changing and I came to possess fervor for the Lord. Worshiping God in truth and spirit at the services, I was determined to glorify God through excellent results in continued study."
Q: "Do you think formal study and faith are mutually exclusive?"
A: "I think we can study well because we have faith. In my case, when I became determined to excel in my field of study and be used greatly as a worker of God, I progressed very successfully in my studies. With this faith I could study hard during graduate school and also rely on God through continual prayers at Daniel Prayer Meeting. I prayed to God in deciding the topic of master degree paper and while writing it. Throughout the course of graduate school, I always earned the all A+ points and earned scholarships each semester."
Q: "In your social life, how did you manage the invitations to drinking parties?"
A: "During the graduate school, I was often invited to drinking parties by my professors after class. At first I drank to please them. But listening to the Word of God delivered from the podium, I determined not to drink anymore and when I was invited again, I politely told my professors I would not drink because I now attended church as a Christian. They understood me and did not insist on me joining the drinking anymore. I felt my hope for Heaven was increasing with my obedience to the Word of God."
Q: "Was there a crisis in your faith?"
A: "During my doctoral course, I got a chance to go to United States and study abroad as a scholarship student by a supporting grant of $10,000 from Rotary International Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee. There was no branch church of Manmin in the city I was supposed to live, but I flew to US with thankfulness and thought that I would be able to attend worship services via the Internet. But intermittently I skipped attending Friday all-night service and when I attended Sunday worship services, I wore comfortable clothes instead of dressing more tidily. I also failed to worship God in truth and spirit. Many days I ceased praying and enjoyed the liberal American life and made excuses in my mind. But in its midst I discovered my arrogance and changing heart. After coming back to Korea, I was very thankful and happy in leading a proper Christian life."
Q: "How could you earn the all A+ points while working as a researcher?"
A: "After coming back from US, I returned to my doctoral course and was employed as a researcher by the Korea Institute of Intellectual Property. Consequently, I couldn't attend all my classes every week, but professors allowed me to make appointments with them in advance. I was supposed to express the results of my study for each class. I prayed for this work, and God gave me wisdom and strength and I could concentrate on preparation and do my best."
Q: "How could you attend the 16th UNCITRAL Working Group VI Security Interests in Intellectual Property Right as a Korean representative?"
A: "In writing a doctoral degree paper during the final semester, I didn't have confidence to complete the paper because I was so busy with my work. But while praying I possessed the faith by which I would be able to do it with Senior Pastor's prayer. In July of 2009, I told him I would begin writing the paper at a full scale and attend a UN international conference held with the same theme as that of my dissertation and received his prayer. Since the conference was supposed to produce the final decision, I eagerly desired to attend it. But it was not easy to attend the conference as a Korean representative. When Dr. Lee prayed for me saying, "Let her attend the UN conference," I answered "Amen" with faith. Four months later, in November of 2009, I was chosen as a Korean representative to attend the Security Right in Intellectual Property(IP) Conference held in Vienna of Austria under the auspices of UN."
Q: "Were there any problems in receiving the doctoral degree?"
A: "In August of 2010, the day of the examination of the dissertation was drawing nearer and I couldn't concentrate on completing the paper because I felt muddled under heavy mental strain. I repented I had not prayed faithfully because of paper composition and began praying and relying on God. God gave me wisdom and strength enough to complete the paper, and I successfully passed three examinations conducted by five professors."
Q: "Is there any other blessing accompanying your doctorate in law?"
A: "On October 1, I was promoted from researcher to senior researcher and my salary increased. My parents also purchased an office room so that I might not be concerned about the monthly rental fee. Hallelujah! It's blessing over blessing!"
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