It’s 1:00 p.m., and we’ve just finished lunch in the cafeteria of a Kyung Hee University in Southeast Seoul. The students who earlier filled the tables have left to go to class and study for exams.

Photographer Tom Mills is taking pictures of Yura meeting with one of her disciples. They watch the short films, the Black Hole and Falling Plates together. Yura asks her disciple what she thinks the film is about. She transitions into a discussion about how Jesus is unlike any other person in history.

Earlier this morning, she and her teammate Rachel showed The Black Hole to two students sitting together outside of the library, a stone building with turrets on the top. Great architecture on campus.

Here’s a link to The Black Hole. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5_Msrdg3Hk

After watching the Black Hole, Yura and Rachel each started a conversation with the students by asking what they thought the film was about. Correct answer: Greed. Some great questions followed.

Q: What would you do if you had this kind of paper?

A: I don’t want it. I’m afraid of what might happen.

Q: Would you want to throw it away?

A: No, I want to keep it, just in case.

Q: What if everyone had this kind of paper?

A: There would be chaos.

Q: What if people used it for a good purpose?

A: People are evil.

Q: How can people solve the greed problem?

A: They can think within themselves and try to control themselves.

Q: Is there some other approach to solve this problem?

A: I don’t know.

Q: There is a film that explains where greed came from and how it can be solved. Would you like to watch it?

A: Not right now.

So, Yura was disappointed that she didn’t have a chance to show the second film called Falling Plates, but I was excited for her because she started a spiritual conversation.

Rachel had a similar experience. She ventured into questions about faith.

Q: Do you go to church?

A: My parents attend church. I attended when I was younger, but I don’t go anymore.

Q: Why do you think people go to church?

A: Some go to have relationships with people, but others go so they can meet people they can network with during the week. Maybe there are people who go to grow in their faith.

They carried on a conversation about how believing in Jesus can solve the greed problem. She asked if she could show him the second film. He also said, no thank you.

In the past, when our staff members used a printed presentation of the gospel, these conversations would have been much shorter, and students would not have answered as many questions. For now, the short films strategy is opening doors for both students and staff members on campus to start conversations.

Our staff are absolutely energized. One of the leaders told me that previously he explained his faith to other people because it was his duty. Now, he enjoys starting conversations and he finds himself more easily caring about the person he’s talking to as he’s asking questions and listening to their answers.

We’re off to a great start. Can’t wait to see what happens next. More to come.