Understanding the Purity Commitment Ceremony

The Purity Commitment Ceremony is one of the most important events in our Christian school. It began as the “Purity Pledge Ceremony,” a time for students to make a decision, like Daniel did, to “not defile themselves with the king’s food and wine,” standing firm against the values and trends of this world and choosing to follow God’s values.

In today’s world, there is little emphasis on sexual purity, and the concepts of ‘marriage’ and ‘commitment’ are not given much importance in society. In this environment, the Purity Commitment Ceremony offers a time for reflection on what God says about sexual purity, marriage, and promises. It is an opportunity for students to make a decision to follow God’s will.

The initial focus of the ceremony was on maintaining sexual purity, but it has since expanded to include a commitment to live a holy life. The focus has shifted from ‘purity’ to ‘holiness,’ helping students to make a commitment to live according to God’s word. The Scripture used in the ceremony has also changed to reflect this shift. Initially, the verse from 1 John 3:3, “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies themselves, just as He is pure,” was used, but it has since been replaced by 1 Peter 1:15, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

The target age for the Purity Commitment Ceremony is typically around 15 years old, which aligns with the age defined as marriageable in the historical “Gyeongguk Daejeon” (the Joseon Dynasty law), and is generally the age when the development of secondary sexual characteristics is being completed. During this time, students learn about sex, emotional bonding, the meaning of marriage, and make a decision about this important commitment. They undergo a week of education and discussion, followed by a final interview, and then participate in the Purity Ceremony.

The ultimate purpose of the ceremony is not to bind students within a legalistic framework but to help them realize the privilege of living a holy life given to us by Jesus Christ. It helps students understand that all believers, not just those in specific vocations or roles, are called to live a holy life, “set apart for the Lord.” It is about putting on the white robes washed by the blood of Christ, living by His word, and offering our bodies as living sacrifices to God in gratitude. That is the purpose of the Purity Commitment Ceremony.

ㅡEun Hae Hong, JCS Principal

Kim Ye-Jun’s Purity Pledge

Hello, I’m Kim Ye-Jun, a 2nd-year high school student at the Christian School affiliated with YWAM Jeju. Until last year, I never imagined I would be here, but I am deeply thankful to God for leading me to this place and guiding me to make this important decision to preserve my purity.

In the past, I lived my life like most people in this world, where the value of purity was blurred. The world around me said, “Your body is yours, do whatever you want with it,” and “If you love someone, anything is okay.” As a result, the concept of purity became more and more distant.

Though I grew up in a Christian family, I knew about God in my head, but I didn’t truly know Him in my heart. I found worship tiresome and didn’t truly understand what gratitude meant. I often let gratitude slip out of habit. My relationship with God felt shallow and distant.

But God didn’t turn away from me. He led me to this Christian school, where I truly encountered the ‘living God.’ Through that experience, I realized that God is a loving Father who teaches me how precious I am, how my life is filled with valuable meaning. Knowing this love, I felt the desire to offer my body and heart to God in purity.

While preparing for the Purity Ceremony, Job 23:10 deeply spoke to my heart:

“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”

When I first read this, I felt a deep sense of stillness, as if something inside me paused. I began to wonder, “Does God really know my path?” For much of my life, I didn’t know where I was going or what my purpose was. But this verse reminded me that God knows me better than anyone else and that He has been refining me all along. I realized that the difficult and lonely moments in my life were not wasted time but part of God’s process of shaping me like pure gold. Therefore, this ceremony is not just a simple event, but a pivotal moment in the journey where God is shaping me to be holy.

I have also come to understand how precious and valuable purity is. Purity is not just about maintaining physical boundaries, but believing that the life and body God has given me are valuable, and preserving that value.

1 Corinthians says that our bodies are not our own; they are the ‘temple of the Holy Spirit.’ I have made the decision to honor this by not treating my body carelessly but living in purity according to God’s will. I am committed to live a life that is set apart, not just in the present, but in future relationships and marriage. I commit to following God’s word and living a life that waits for true love, guided by His teachings and trust in His plan.

From this moment on, I will choose the right path based on God’s word, regardless of the temptations that may arise. Even when the world says, “Purity no longer matters,” I will stand firm in God’s truth, unshaken by the pressures around me.

June 13, 2025

Purity Pledge-maker Kim Ye-Jun