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By Christopher Troilo
UMConnection Correspondent

For very reasonable rates, young adults in the Baltimore-Washington Conference are being offered the opportunity to explore a different culture, expand their 3understanding of ministry and participate in what could become the adventure of a lifetime.

As part of the conference's partnership with Methodists in South Korea, a cultural exchange is planned for July 16-29. The cost of the trip is $1,000.

An informational meeting will be held April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Conference Center in Columbia.

The trip is a symbol of the partnership that exists between two cultures as they give and receive, learning from one another, said the Rev. DaeHwa Park, of Oakdale Emory UMC, who is helping to plan the young adults' itinerary.

The trip's planners are com-
bining the best of sight-seeing and cultural immersion, enabling participants to gain a global perspective of mission and ministry.

In 2006, Bishop John Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, along with 20 United Methodist delegates, met in Seoul, South Korea, to reinforce a growing relationship. Together with Bishop Kwok of the South Conference of the Korean Methodist Church, the team drew up a series of goals and action items that are still being worked on and implemented today, many in the form of mission trips.

The objectives of this partnership with the Nambu United Methodist Conference in South Korea include growing in understanding and appreciation of one another's uniqueness of culture, history and spirituality.

Learning from each other, and designing common discipleships and mission strategies within and between the conferences, can enable the Gospel to be spread in new ways, Park said.

While traveling in South
Korea, the team will participate in a retreat in the mountains with other young adults, do sight seeing in Seoul and visit several churches, learning about their faith traditions. One particular tradition is known as "Draft Sunday."

On Draft Sunday (sometimes called Invitation Sunday), the entire church is called into an evangelical ministry of going out into the community, spreading God's Word to all, and welcoming everyone they meet to share in their faith. One year a reported 700 people joined the church as a result of this one event.

The mission group will also learn about outreach projects the Nambu Conference has been undertaking, both locally and abroad.

The young adults in Korea are very active in their churches. They have been developing small groups for people to worship together, based upon sociological characteristics that bind them together. Many of them have traveled to Mongolia and China, where they have initiated and run Bible Schools for people who wish to learn more about Christianity in those regions.

Young adults will also be able to participate in peace work at the demilitarized zone. The Korean culture is still radically divided, both ideologically and geographically.

During their visit, young adults will learn about the nearly 5,000 year history of Korea and how young adults are shaping the nation and church's future.

For more information on the trip, contact the Rev. Brian Shockey at .