Get to Know Leah Kornbau

Ministry Description

As an international admissions counselor at Word of Life, I am involved in a few areas including interacting with prospective students from several countries and helping them with applications and visas. This also involves interviewing students, reaching out to them, and answering any questions they may have. I am connecting with alumni to build deeper connections and working with Korean applicants by traveling to various Christian schools in Korea. In addition to my admissions role, I am helping with WOL ministry (like camps and youth events) around campus (for example in the kitchen). I want to serve God and connect prospective students to WOL, being stretched and changed the way I was. I would not be here if it were not for the past admissions team, and I want to encourage and guide students the way I was. I also hope to use this time serving to put my faith into action and live out what I have learned this past year at the Bible Institute.

Learn more about the ministry in South Korea Jeju Island.

About Leah

I grew up in a Christian family as a pastor's kid, so I grew up going to church all the time. My life was surrounded by church, life group, youth group, camps, and children’s ministry, so I never had a time in my life when God was unfamiliar to me. I have known the stories of Jesus and the Bible my whole life. However, I was still in need of a Savior. Before choosing to follow Christ, I did not understand why I needed to love others or obey my parents, and I also did not understand the reason why Jesus came to die for us or the importance and value of a Christ-centered life.
I made the decision for Christ at a young age. My mom and I were in our basement watching a kids’ Bible video. The story was about the lost sheep in Luke 15. Because I did not understand what that parable meant, I asked my mom. She explained how God leaves the ninety-nine sheep for one lost person. She also explained how that fits into the Gospel as we all need to be found. We have all sinned and are in need of a savior. Jesus' love for me is so great that He goes looking and searching for me, a sinner. I realized I needed to be saved by Jesus, and I asked Jesus into my heart. We prayed together and took time to celebrate afterward with ice cream.
Although I remember that instance vividly considering I was young, I do not specifically remember changes in my life at that exact point in time as I was so young. Growing up though, I have seen how my faith in Christ has impacted my life more and how I am different from my unbelieving peers around me. The most significant area where I have seen spiritual growth through my elementary and high school years is in my commitment and desire to spend time in God’s word daily and in my love and speech towards others. I have a greater passion and commitment to Christ than I did because of His work in my heart. As I grow older and deeper in my faith, I am beginning to make it my own rather than my parents,’ and I see over and over again the amazing love of God and His goodness to me. God has used Romans 5:6-8 in my life to make the Gospel even more clear to me, making me realize the amazing sacrifice He made for me, a helpless sinner.
I decided to attend Word of Life Bible Institute on Jeju Island in South Korea to deepen my faith and get out of my comfort zone. He has used several parts of this year to change my heart and draw me closer to Him. I have realized the importance of prayer and intentional quiet time. God has also reminded me of the hope I have in Him and that He is all I need when all else seems hopeless. I do not know yet where God will lead my life, but I want to serve Him wherever I am.

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:13; "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." - 2 Corinthians 4:7

Contact Information

leahkornbau22@gmail.com

Address:
Leah Kornbau
Word of Life South Korea Jeju Island
PO Box 600
Schroon Lake, NY 12870