Holy Seeds Church bazaar raises W230m for underprivileged youth

The Holy Seeds Church School (HSS) raised approximately 230 million won ($171,000) at its 14th Angel Day Chance Bazaar — more than double its original target of 100 million won. The proceeds will fund scholarships and support programs for teenagers with incurable illnesses and children of veterans from low-income households.

The bazaar was held Saturday in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. More than 500 students, congregation members and parents volunteered, and over 3,300 visitors attended.

The World Youth Culture Development Association and the Global Mission Society sponsored the event. More than 300 companies and individuals donated goods worth 2.36 billion won, which were sold at below-market prices.

Now in its 14th year, the bazaar was launched at the suggestion of students who wanted to help peers struggling to continue their education due to financial hardship. Students collect and sell donated items, with proceeds going toward scholarships. The event has been held annually since 2010, except in 2020 through 2022, when it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senior Pastor Seo Dae-cheon said the world operates by two different kinds of arithmetic. "On earth, you become rich by adding and poor by subtracting — but in God's kingdom, what is given in love is not counted as a simple loss," he said. "Jesus said the widow gave more than the rich, because the rich gave from their surplus while the widow gave everything she had to live on."

Seo said the same principle applies to the bazaar. "What matters is not the size of the item but the depth of love it carries," he said. "An item may leave your hands, but if that act of sharing meets someone's need, wipes away their tears and conveys the love of Jesus Christ, then love begins again in another person's life."

Seocho-gu District Mayor Jeon Seong-su, who attended the event, said he was deeply moved by the energy and passion on display and by the church's culture of serving the community. "Seeing the students and young people here, I feel great hope that the future of Seocho-gu is bright," he said.

HSS student Lee Si-won, who served as chair of the External Relations Committee, and fellow committee members visited companies ahead of the bazaar to explain the event's purpose and solicit donations.

"Hearing the advice and encouragement of business representatives, I learned what it means to share with the community and experienced firsthand the value of communication and cooperation — something rarely available to students," Lee said. "I hope the Angel Day Chance Bazaar has done more than provide financial support, and has also brought love and courage to our community."