The impact of religious volunteering on faith: Perceptions of first-generation Korean-American elderly

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of elderly, first- generation, Korean-American immigrants as to the impact of religious volunteer activities on their faith. This study engaged in qualitative research and conducted in-depth interviews with 24 first-generation Korean-American Protestant Christian seniors. The study analyzed the nature of religious volunteering, the motivations for religious volunteering, and the perceived impact of religious volunteering on faith.;The findings indicate that the nature of religious volunteering described by the first-generation Korean-American elderly includes Christian responsibility, God-centered activity, and benefit for the Christian life. Elderly Korean-American Christians recognize religious volunteering as a crucial Christian responsibility that pleases God and enriches their Christian lives. The motives for religious volunteering identified in this study include fulfilling Christian responsibility, encountering triggering events, and recognizing personal credentials for volunteer activities. Religious volunteering is a necessary step for elderly Korean-American congregants to fulfill their Christian responsibility. Yet, they need an organized procedure to get information about volunteering and to examine their credentials for volunteer activities.;This study shows that the impact of religious volunteering on participants' faith includes the following: (1) enlightened eyes yielding to further commitment in volunteering, (2) an enhanced understanding of God, (3) growing confidence in Christian identity, and (4) transformed personality and faith. After the first-generation Korean- American elderly participate in religious volunteering, they experience a strengthened faith and the transformation of personality through reflections on their volunteering and interactions with other volunteers and beneficiaries. Religious volunteering not only contributes to the beneficiaries, but also helps the volunteers to be aware of their meaningful lives and the assets God has given them. Thus, faith development for first-generation Korean-American seniors is achieved through this dynamic interaction between volunteer activities and reflection on faith.