The Goodnews – May, 2015

MAY 2015

DELIVERING THE GOSPEL & THE TESTIMONIES OF GRACE

Testimony

Following God to the Very Last

Salvation Testimony Filling the Void

Bible Crusade at Baruch College

Special Article

Pastoral Meeting

Fulfilling the Promise: 500 Churches - Fort Wayne

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Monthly Sermon

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God Overturns the Satan's Work of Darkness into Blessings

Salvation Testimony

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Filling the Void

Testimony

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Following God to the Very Last

Special Article

About the Cover

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2015 New York Bible Crusade

On the last day of the Bible Crusade the Gracias Choir featured the Easter Cantata

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Easter Cantata

at Mason Hall in Baruch College. The seating was completely filled as everyone

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Pastoral Meeting

attended to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He came to justify us by

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Memoirs of a Missionary

defeating sin and death and resurrecting after three days. Jesus Christ brought

Giving Life is the Life of a Christian

true peace and rest to those who are bound to sin and the law. We can witness the

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Gospel Lesson We Must Be Born Again

promise of the servant of God being fulfilled as the Gospel is spreading throughout

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Preaching the Gospel to Ends of the Earth

the entire city of New York. (Photo: Seats filled as Pastor Terry Henderson emcees for the Easter Cantata.Photo by Jin Wook Kim)

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First Fruit at Apkok-dong

Church Directory

If you would like to subscribe to the good news magazine, please send an email to gnm@iyfusa.org. Be sure to include your name, address, and phone number.

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This Month's Sermon

God Overturns Satan’s Work of Darkness into Blessings

In reading Acts chapter 27-28, Paul and the people become shipwrecked and either swim or tread on floating boards to get to the island of Malta. Due to the cold weather, the natives kindled a fire for them. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out of the bundle due to the heat and bit his hand.

The natives saw this and said, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.”

Pastor Ock Soo Park | Good News Gangnam Church

Why does God allow this to happen to a saved child and a servant of God who lives for the Gospel? The saved saints live for the Gospel, however those who are not the children of God seem to live without any problems, but the saints often go through adversities.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS THERE

“And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.” (Acts 28:2-6)

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The Word, “earth” refers to man. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. It did not end in that condition; the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. When the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep, if God was not there, it would remain in darkness for 1,000 years, 10,000 years, or 1,000,000 years and would have no meaning to its existence. But God was there, and God was surely going to work.

God was not pleased with the earth being without form and void and he was not pleased with the darkness upon the face of the deep.

That is why he made the light. After bringing forth the earth that was in darkness to light, God saw that it was good. God saw that image to be good. Satan produces darkness, suffering, and disappointment in our hearts. But no matter what suffering, negative conditions, and disappointments we may have, if God is alive among us there is no 5

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This Month's Sermon

God opened the doors of the prison and brought out Paul, likewise when we have fallen into a difficulty or a problem, it is God who works to bring us out.

need to be discouraged. In Genesis chapter 1, although the earth was without form, void, and in darkness, the spirit of God was there and God was looking upon the earth. He saw the earth that was in that image and was not pleased with it, that is why He changed the earth.

GOD WORKS TO BRING US OUT OF ADVERSITY AND PROBLEMS

In the beautiful world that God has made, Satan uses many devices to make us be without form, void, and disappointed. God is the one who reverses the situation, making it glorious. After seeing Paul bitten by the viper, the natives of the island said, “No doubt this man is a murderer! He is cursed! Look at him. A viper is biting him.

He will die soon!” However God reversed it and later the natives called Paul a god, and the diseased came to Paul and were healed.

Through him, we can see God fulfilling the amazing work of the natives glorifying God. It was the same case when Ziklag, the place where David dwelled was burned down, and when Joseph was sold as a slave and later imprisoned.

Apostle Paul was once imprisoned in Philippi. Is there any good reason why a person preaching the precious Gospel to be imprisoned?

There were people at that place that needed to hear the Gospel. After Paul was imprisoned, God caused an earthquake and the doors of the prison were opened and everyone’s bands were loosened. Through this incident, the opportunity to preach the Gospel to the keeper of the prison and his family were opened and the work of God arose when they became saved. When that work was accomplished God released Paul out of that prison.

Satan causes us hardships and torments us. He gives despair to 6

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our hearts by saying, “You can’t do it.” But God works to change that situation. God opened the doors of the prison and brought out Paul, likewise when we have fallen into a difficulty or a problem, it is God who works to bring us out. In the Bible, whenever God’s people faced difficulties or problems, God never turned away, but He always worked.

IN FRONT OF DIFFICULTIES AND TRIALS FROM SATAN

When saved Christians preach the gospel, they encounter people denouncing and persecuting them. In the beginning of my ministry as a Gospel preacher I wanted to work with some slack while resting and being happy. But God did not allow that. I could see that various problems arose through Satan, however God did not once turn away or pretend not to see me. Every time he transformed that difficulty into happiness and a blessing.

When David returned to Ziklag, the homes were burned down and his wives and children were taken captive. That must have been very difficult. However, God began to work at that time and David not only recovered everything, but also gained great spoils. Subsequently, God fulfilled the glorious work of David becoming King.

It must have been so difficult when Paul was jailed in Philippi. But Paul was not discouraged; instead he thanked God and sang praises.

Then the jail doors were opened and his bands were loosened. It would have been very difficult for the keeper of the prison to hear the Gospel because he had to stay with the prisoners in jail, but through Paul’s imprisonment, he received the grace of God and was able to 7

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This Month's Sermon

Each time, I had no choice but to seek God and whenever I went in front of God, He always filled my life with His blessing and joy.

receive salvation.

The difficulties and trials that we saved brothers and sisters face come from Satan. We should not be despaired, but if we tell ourselves, “Now God is going to work within us,” and look to God, then God will manifest His power in us and reveal His glory. As I lived these last 50 plus years in the Lord, I too had many difficulties, problems, and trials. Each time, I had no choice but to seek God and whenever I went in front of God, He always filled my life with His blessing and joy.

GOD IS NOT JUST A SPECTATOR TO THE SUFFERING OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE HARDSHIPS OF THE CHURCH

Satan detests the work that saved people do. When we do not preach the Gospel and follow after our flesh there are not many problems. But when we preach the Gospel, we fulfill the will of God to save people, and in turn Satan will never leave us alone. He tries to disappoint us by giving us many afflictions and difficulties. But the reason for us to never be disappointed is that when we encounter those things, they are not to be despairing because they become the conditions for God to work.

God works within the various problems and difficulties we face.

Satan caused the formlessness, void, and darkness, however God overturns it to become a blessing. God did not just watch the earth to be without form, void, and in darkness. He has to change it. Likewise, when He sees the righteous suffer or the church in difficulty, he does not just watch. Through it, he accomplishes something new and He reveals His glory.

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THE WORK OF SATAN IS THE CONDITION FOR GOD TO WORK

Paul ended up on the island of Malta after being shipwrecked.

When Paul was relaxed resting by the fire, Satan caused him to be bitten by a viper to make it unbearable for him. The natives saw that and called Paul a murderer. But Paul shook off the viper into the fire.

They thought that he would swell and fall over and die, but after a long time had passed they saw there was nothing wrong with Paul.

The natives said, “No man is capable of that. He’s a god.” Many natives on the island discovered that Paul was the precious servant of God and sought his grace to be healed of their diseases. They discovered God and glorified God. The calamity that Satan causes is not something that we should be afraid of or disappointed about. Those things are the conditions for God to work. That is why, whenever those things arise, we should tell ourselves, “Now, God is going to work inside us!” We can now have hope and faith towards God.

Pastor Ock Soo Park Pastor Park is currently the senior pastor of the Good News Gangnam Church. He is the founder of the Mahanaim Cyber Theology School and International Youth Fellowship.

Annually he is the guest speaker for Bible Crusades domestically and internationally and serves as a guest lecturer to university students. He is the author of several titles such as: The Secret of Forgiveness of Sin and Being Born Again, Repentance and Faith, Navigating the Heart. These books have been translated in 17 different languages, and in addition he is the author of 40 other books on spiritual life.

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Salvation Testimony

Filling the Void

Despite all the material possessions and a solid career, something was missing in my life. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what that was. I thought it might be due to me not having a boyfriend in my life. I ended up being in relationship with someone but the void was still there. Soon afterwards the relationship ended and I had to think of another reason why I felt so empty inside. I then decided that it could be that I was in the wrong career field. I then resigned from my job in November 2014. I flew to New York with the intention of having a good time and finding my purpose in life. I felt like I was going through an early midlife crises at the age of 33.

I had saved an amount of money for me to pay the rent and survive for the first few months in New York. I had planned everything so well and didn’t even include God in my plans or asked Him to be with me on the finding-myself-journey I was about to take. When I left South Africa, I told my friends that I got a job in New York, which was not the truth. I couldn’t gather enough strength to let them

Andronica Mahlasela Good News Manhattan Church

feel discontent about my life and I’m on the quest to search for my purpose in life. On the outside I looked like I had everything together, but on the inside, I was searching for more which I couldn’t pinpoint what that more was.

Late in December, I met a guy on 34th Street close to Macy’s, handing

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out Christian booklets. He said his name was Phil from the Good News y name is Andronica Mahlasela from South Africa. I moved to

Church. It was cold and snowing that day. I felt such pity on him and

New York in December 2014. I had a very comfortable life in

stopped when he asked to have a chat with me. He gave me a booklet

South Africa, I had accumulated some material wealth after having

and invited me to his church. I said I would come, knowing very well

worked for 10 years in the mining and power generation industries

I had no intentions of going to the church. He asked for my contact

in South Africa. I was an independent single girl who used to go on

details and I gave him my cell number knowing very well my cell

overseas vacations and was accustomed to the good life. I had a money

phone was not working and he will never get a hold of me if he calls. I

lending business on the side as well. I was the queen of my world.

took the booklet and didn’t even open it, not even once.

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Salvation Testimony

I thought maybe the pastor was reading a Korean Bible and not a King James one. What he was preaching about was totally new to me and I didn’t understand it well.

After the sermons, I would have fellowship with Pastor Caleb and Pastor Phil from the Good News New York Church. The first day that I had fellowship, I told them about my financial and life problems. I At the Bible Crusade held in Baruch College, Mason Hall

wanted a solution to my problems and not to hear about receiving salvation and forgiveness of sins. I was still being controlled by the flesh and my thoughts.

In one of the sermons, Pastor Park said our hearts should connect

Months went by, my savings started depleting and I couldn’t find

with God’s heart. I desperately wanted to have this connection as I

a job. Eventually my savings were completely gone and I fell on hard

thought God had forgotten about me and I felt like He was far away

times. I went without food for days and had no money for rent. During

from me. But then I had thoughts such as I’m not holy and righteous

these times I questioned if God still loves me and if He even exists. I

to be able to connect to God. I had always been envious of people who

prayed for a financial miracle on a daily basis but none came about.

could say God talked to them and told them to do this and that. I

I was having one of my lowest days when I went on the internet

thought I had to be sinless to experience that type of connection.

and googled “Does God exist?” While searching, I received a phone

When the pastor preached about how Jesus Christ was crucified for

call from Phil from the Good News Church, whom I had met a few

our iniquities I thought about my life. I thought about how I was still

months ago. He was inviting me to the Bible Crusade which was to

holding hatred or grudges. Christ took away my sins and now I’m declared

take place the next day. It was at that very moment that I knew God

righteous. Then surely if Jesus can forgive me of my sins, I can do the

exists and He sent his angel in the form of Phil to assure me of that. I

same in my life. I thought about my relationship with my mother; it

had last spoken to Phil in December and it was now March 31, 2015 when he called again. I knew this was not a coincidence, Phil was sent

by God as a messenger.

The following day, I went to the Bible Crusade with the aim of hearing scriptures which talk about attaining financial blessings. I wasn’t going to the Crusade to hear anything else. Pastor Park talked about the mercy seat and the reason Christ died for us. He said in the eyes of the Lord I am righteous and have no sin. We read a number of scriptures which said my sins were forgiven and I am redeemed. I grew up in the church but I had never heard or seen these scriptures before.

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Having fellowship with Pastor Caleb after the sermon

Salvation Testimony

was beyond repair. We didn’t have a close relationship even though we still talked. I could never share any problems I had with her. Our relationship was very superficial. I always thought that she didn’t love me enough. When she tried to show me love I would repel and think she was just faking it. I had a standard by which I thought she should be at and because she wasn’t meeting that standard, I shunned her.

The pastor said Christ took away my sins and now we are declared

With Manhattan church sisters

Giving testimony at Sunday service

righteous. Then if Jesus can forgive me for my sins, surely I can do the same in my life. I thought about how I was holding grudges against my

Young Kim said we should go out there and preach the Word of God.

mother. The Christ in me said I should love my mother just as Jesus

When he said that thoughts such as: I’m too shy; I can’t approach

loved me as I was. I didn’t have to offer any sacrifice for God to forgive

people to tell them about Christ; I’m not a good communicator came

me for my sins. I was able to see her as Christ sees her, she had been

flooding through my mind. At that instant I was able to recognize that

an awesome mother all along but I had allowed the devil to plant evil

those thoughts were from the devil and he doesn’t want the Gospel of

thoughts in my mind that she was not adequate. Our relationship has

Christ to be preached.

been so good, I wouldn’t choose any other mother in the world. Jesus

I now know that if Satan gives me thoughts I should fight him with

washed away my sins for me has freed me from the hatred I harbored

the Word. Previously I couldn’t recognize an evil thought when it came to

towards others.

my mind, I would justify it and say I’m a shy person. This is my personality

Towards the end of the Bible Crusade, I realized that I had totally forgotten about the situation that brought me to the crusade in the

I can’t tell people about Christ. I can’t wait to share the Word with my family and friends when I go back home to South Africa.

first place, which was for God to give me a financial blessing. My focus

Since attending the Bible Crusade I have such an appetite for the

shifted from wanting material wealth to wanting a relationship with

Word of the Lord. Surprisingly enough while I was attending the crusade

Jesus and learning the about the Word of God. I know for certain

and concentrating on hearing about the Word; the Lord provided food

that if I had not fallen on hard

and rent for me.

times I wouldn’t have received salvation

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rekindled

My purpose when I left South Africa for New York was to find joy

my

and to fill an empty void in my heart. I can for certain say that God

relationship with my mother. I’m

filled that empty void. I used to be filled with such despair whenever I

a prodigal son and have finally

was facing trials and tribulations, now I just rest and trust in the Lord.

come back to the Father.

God fulfilled my mission in New York. He is the King of my life now. I

On the last day of the post

Fellowship with Pastor Chang Young Kim

Bible Crusade, Pastor Chang 14

trust in Him more than I trust in my own abilities.

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Testimony

Following God to the Very Last The idea of pursuing a master’s degree came after I had a conversation with my pastor in Paraguay around July 2010. At that time, I was preparing myself to go to Korea as a GNC overseas volunteer, and one day the pastor suggested that it might be good for me to do postgraduate studies outside of my country once I came back. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about continuing my college education beyond my undergraduate course (industrial design), but the idea got stuck in my mind.

Upon my return to Paraguay, in June 2011, the idea of studying a master’s had grown bigger inside of me. I wasn’t sure if that was God’s plan for my life, so I approached my pastor again. He agreed I should start looking for scholarship opportunities and told me to knock on as many doors as I could.

My initial goal was to further my formation as a designer; for that reason, I looked online for the top design schools in the world and found that some of

them were located in the UK and the US. Each university has its own application requirements, deadlines, and processes, but, overall, they would include the following: statements of purpose, essays, personal information forms, letters of recommendation, application fees, and for non-native English speakers, tests of language proficiency. In the course of my scholarship quest, these requirements would represent several hours of work, thousands of dollars, and countless documents.

I started applying to universities and scholarships in August 2011, keeping my pastor posted about any updates, and having fellowship with him due to anxiety (our intention was to secure admission at elite institutions, despite the fact that I wasn’t prepared for it; in that context, I was always nervous about the outcome). School was still going on, and there constantly were IYF activities in the loop. At some point, my application became some sort of a routine, some kind of part-time job.

I might have tried to get a place in approximately 30 colleges. Names included the University of Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc.

I remember what one sister in church told me after hearing about my list: “Augusto, what makes you think you could ever study there?” Well, I didn’t have an answer to her question, as I had unsuccessfully asked myself the same question for a long time. My pastor, 2015 Mexico English Camp

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Testimony

however, encouraged me to keep forward on this initiative. “After all,” he would say, “Nothing is impossible for God.” Contrary to my expectations, starting in March 2012, and for three years, denials of admission began filling my email inbox. One university after another would say I wasn’t as competitive as the hundreds of other candidates on their files, thus apologizing and wishing me luck in my endeavors.

Although I didn’t feel ready to study at the schools I had applied to, every admission decision would impact me with disappointment and sadness. I didn’t understand why God wouldn’t just make a miracle on my behalf. Wasn’t the situation supposed to turn out like that? The pastor was leading me, but circumstances were gloomy in my eyes. He would tell me: “I don’t know exactly how and where God will guide you, but just keep seeking.”

Early in 2014, I was admitted by two institutions, one

in the US and the other in England. It was very surprising to me, not only due to the fact that both schools were prestigious, but also because I got a place in the business school–an area I was totally unfamiliar with. Once again, I didn’t understand. Indeed, I had applied to the business school, but only because there were dual-degree programs where design was the main component. Of course, design was my focus, but design departments would reject my applications. The pastor would tell me not to worry: “You want to be the president of this country, right? You can’t just think in learning design. Go and learn some business as well.” At that moment it didn’t make sense to me, but I kept forward.

Both schools didn’t offer me any scholarships; I had to look for funding among Paraguayan companies, the government, public institutions, etc. With a folder in hand and my mom’s support, I would present my "educational project" to politicians, businesspeople, public officers, bank directors, etc. I even included a cover letter stating my dream of becoming the president, and how going abroad would benefit me and my fellow countrymen in the future.

Everyone, notwithstanding, had the same answer for me: “This is too much, and we have no money to support you.”

Whereas there was money or not, I don’t know, but I was

IYF- PAraguay

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Testimony

beginning to think that all this “study abroad” idea had been hopeless from the beginning. My pastor, on the other hand, kept saying that we should move forward. “We’ll go to the very last, and see if God opens a way.”

Very last? How much was “very last”? For an impatient student like me, three years looking for a master’s course wasn’t something I was willing to extend any longer. I was tired and frustrated, and I had to tell the only two schools that accepted me that I had no money to study with them.

Shortly after, I lost the desire and strength to study abroad, and started making plans on how to continue my life in Paraguay.

God, on the other hand, seemed to have had different plans. One day, an email appeared on my inbox. It was late June 2014.

“Mom, there’s this scholarship opportunity here at some place called Colorado State University. They say they’d cover 67% of what I need to live and study there. I don’t really know how this whole thing will turn out anymore, but I’d like to apply. Would you be able to help me cover the remaining 33%?” After calculating where to get loans from, she said "yes." My pastor also agreed.

Some days after sending my application, I was offered a place at CSU, along with the scholarship. I was very excited, until I realized I had made a silly mistake: the scholarship

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Paraguay English Camp

had always stated that it would cover 67% of my "tuition fees," which obviously didn’t include my living expenses, medical insurance, books, visa, and all the requirements for international students. I had misunderstood the terms. The exact amount my mother would have to pay was absolutely out of her capability; there was no way. As I did with the former two universities, I had to email CSU explaining I didn’t have money and wouldn’t be able to study with them.

CSU, however, replied back in a couple of days. They said they managed to get more funding because they were impressed by my application and committed to have me with them. This was shocking to me, because the experience I stated in my application was entirely related to the opportunities I almost 100% inside the IYF, or derived from them. Other applicants would talk about multiple jobs and degrees, more notorious academic backgrounds, and related issues. In my case, CSU was seeing a big value

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Testimony

in the IYF experience I had, thus being able to offer me basically two scholarships and a position as a graduate assistant in business school (in other words, almost 100% coverage).

Suddenly, everything just changed. Money wasn’t a concern anymore, and I had a learning opportunity even greater than I had ever expected. Certainly, God opened a way at the ‘very last,’ when everything seemed lost. My mom was happy, my pastor was happy (he said I would receive a lot from the heart of God being close to IYF USA).

With all this taking place, and after making all necessary trip arrangements, I arrived in the US on August 10, 2014.

Fort Collins–where I live in Colorado now–is full of mountains and amazing nature, the kind of place I longed for as a kid. Plus, the program I’m studying in–called ‘Global Social Sustainable Enterprise MBA’–is ranked close to the top in the field of social entrepreneurship (remarkably, this area also has strong connections to politics and public administration). What’s more, Good News Mission and IYF are actively working in Denver, and, with the help of the local minister, brothers and sisters, I’m able to share with them every weekend.

It’s been exactly 8 months since I arrived here, the place God had prepared for me. The main thing I feel He’s been showing me is that I’m not as smart as I thought, and that I need to receive His grace and the grace of others to live this life. Although there have been many difficulties ever since I got here, God has never abandoned me. I hope I can always see and acknowledge the works He does for me as part of His plan.

Augusto Aguilera Ramirez April 10, 2015

With Family

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Memoirs of a Missionary Special Article 2015 New York Bible Crusade

War with Sin,and a Triumphant Song This time around spring would have brought about new life but New York was still frozen just like the hearts of its people. The Bible Crusade came just in time to warm up New York. From March 30th to April 3rd the Bible Crusade took place in Mason Hall of Baruch College. We witnessed God working fervently especially through the Pastoral Meeting and Easter Cantata. Let us take a closer look into the New York Bible Crusade through this special report.

“The part that stays in my heart the most is that because many people in the world are used to their own thoughts and knowledge, although they read the Bible over and over again, they cannot understand it. Pastor allowed me to understand that from long time ago that it was already recorded in the Bible that we have received salvation (received forgiveness of sin) and that is also written that all we have to do is believe this.”

–Robert

“Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I have never heard anything like that (Gospel) before. They did not emphasize that (the fact that we are righteous) but rather told us that we were sinners because we have sinned. I heard for the first time that God does not remember our sins.”

- Kisan Archer

“The people that he (Pastor Ock Soo Park) continued to speak about all said that Jesus died for their sins but they still believed that they were sinners. I remember that part the most because it does not make sense that Jesus died on the cross for our sins but we still sins and also it would mean that His death would have been in vain. If He (Jesus Christ) died for our sins, then we should be free from our sins. It is true that we do not have sin.”

– Dron Vijay

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New York Bible Crusade

The New York Bible Crusade was truly a war of the Gospel, by the Gospel, for the Gospel

In Manhattan, 1.6 million people are squeezed together on a small piece of land that is only 59km2.

Despite its reputation for the variety of culture and exuberance, it is a city that pushes many people into despair.

Therefore, when, in the first day, Pastor Ock Soo Park explained the image of the human being that cannot defeat darkness or despair, the audience was able to accept it from their hearts. Afterwards, by going back and forth between the Old and New Testament, he preached the Gospel explaining Moses’ Law, the Sin of Israel, The Place for Sanctification of Heaven and Earth, the Baptism of John the Baptist and Jesus’ eternal sanctification in order. This was all accepted by the audience rather innocently through

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New York Bible Crusade

their hearts that had already been broken down.

During the Bible Seminar, the Gospel took many forms to enter into the hearts of the new souls. Especially the Gracias Choir Easter Cantata, which demonstrated the affliction, death and resurrection of Jesus very Biblically, was a precious experience that allowed the audience to witness themselves the Gospel that they had heard until now.

Just like how the stage changed from a dark and despairing place because of the arrest, affliction and the mockery of Jesus to a place full of light and hope with songs of praises due to the resurrection of Jesus, as they viewed this performance, the participants’ lives that were filled with darkness and despair suddenly became overflowing with happiness and hope.

Crusade - a word that derives from the Crusades 900 years ago, with the aim of recapturing the Holy Land Just like the meaning of the word, the New York Bible Crusade was a war against the darkness, despair and sin that was conquering over this world. We are hopeful, even in this year, when we think of the way that God will help us in this war for the Gospel, guiding many new souls to us the same way that He had helped the Israelites in the land of Canaan and helped David to be victorious every time.

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New York Bible Crusade - EASTER CANTATA

Easter Cantata The last day of the Bible Crusade was the Easter Cantata. The Gracias Choir sang beautiful music about the great love of God. The illustrated the suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ that is in the Bible. The audience were taken back 2,000 years ago to the land of Judah and became one with the choir as they were mesmerized by the performance.

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New York Bible Crusade - EASTER CANTATA

Photo Story The halls rang with the music and shouts of the high priests and Hebrews who called out for the death of Jesus. Ultimately, Pontius Pilate allowed for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus Christ was whipped and suffered in order to wask all the sins of the people of the world.

The audience was full of gratitude and emotion when they witness the death that was for their sins.

And just when Jesus was buried and all seemed to come to an end, Jesus won over darkness and resurrected.

The audience clapped for joy and the hymns about Jesus resurrecting and being together eternally with his saints filled the room.

Pastor Park ended the Easter Cantata with a message of the ressurection of Jesus. The audience was full of emotion all throughout the Cantata and they spent was evening full of joy.

The Gracias Choir greeted the audience after the performance.

They gave the people of New York who attended the Bible Crusade a night they will never forget.

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New York Bible Crusade - pastoral meeting

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New York Bible Crusade - Pastoral meeting

Pastoral Meeting With the intent to cover New York with the Gospel, we held the Pastoral Meeting on April 3rd at 5pm at Baruch College. We invited pastors to work together for the Gospel and invite them to the World Christian Leaders Forum held in South Korea. We visited many churches in Manhattan and its vicinity during the preparation for this Pastoral Meeting. When they opened up their hearts towards us and were willing to attend the meeting, we were able to see that God was truly happy with this meeting. Before the event started, the pastors had time to get to know each other and introduce themselves.

Before the event started, the pastors who were waiting to meet Pastor Ock Soo Park were finally able to take photos with him.

The pastors are mesmerized by the music of the Gracias Choir.

Through this Pastoral Meeting, Pastor Park spoke about the words in Genesis chapter 1. He spoke about the void and darkness that was upon the face of the earth. The earth was unable to change itself, but whenever the word of God fell upon the earth, the earth began to change. Just like this, our lives are nothing but as the words of God enter our lives we are able to change. Pastor Park gave testimonies about how the mission changed and how God worked in our mission. He spoke about the hope that he has in New York now that the true gospel in reaching all its citizens and how it will bring about true joy and happiness. Through this Pastoral Meeting, Pastor Park expressed that he wants to work together for this gospel.

Although meeting for the

Pastor Terry explained how God is

first time, Pastor Park is very

working through the Good News

comfortable and sharing the

Mission through his presentation

words as if speaking with old

and video clips.

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acquaintances.

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BC

New York Bible Crusade - pastoral meeting

Pastors are enjoying the words. Although they speak different languages and have different skin colors, they were able to come as one through the word of God. They found commonalities through the word and this brought about happiness to all.

The pastors came together to pray for New York and prayed that the word bring about change in New York just as it brought about change on earth.

The pastors who attended this Pastoral Meeting in Manhattan showed interested in attending the World Christian Leaders Forum held in Korean this July. They promised to work together in order to cover New York with the gospel. We are hopeful and full of anticipation when thinking about how God will work in the future.

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New York Times: Notes on Genesis I

Alone He Created the Heaven and the Earth

Being Justified Freely Pastor Ock Soo Park | Good News Gangnam Church

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters: and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

(Genesis 1:6~7)

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God began to work upon the earth while it was without form, void, and in deep darkness in Genesis chapter 1. “Let there be light.” “Let waters above the firmament divide from the waters below the firmament.” “Let the earth bring forth the herb yielding seed and the fruit-tree yielding fruit.” In this manner, God, by Himself, created heaven and the earth.

A long time ago, a certain man, while working, went under a chestnut tree to take a nap. He laid down and thought, “Why did God have thick pumpkins borne on thin vines, and why did He have those little chestnuts born on such thick branches? If I were God, I would have chestnuts the size of pumpkins on chestnut trees so that it would take an entire family to eat one chestnut.

On the other hand, I would make pumpkins the size of chestnuts on pumpkin vines,” and fell asleep. A long while afterwards, something hammered on his forehead, and he woke up shocked. A chestnut cluster had fallen on him and the thorns were piercing his forehead. Before he could take the thorns out of his forehead, he quickly knelt down and said, “God, thank you so much that chestnuts the size of pumpkins were not hanging on the tree. My head would have cracked open, and I would have died if a chestnut cluster as big as a pumpkin had fallen. . . .”

If you or I were next to God when He was creating the heaven and the earth, we probably would have had many suggestions, saying, “God, the mountains are too high. The ocean is too wide. Why would you want to make it so wide? The land should be wide.” “God, don’t make mice-like animals.

Why did you make snakes? You don’t need to make things like mosquitoes.”

We would probably have nagged Him so much that God would not have been able to complete His creating. I guess God knew this because He made man after He completed the heaven and the earth.

Man did not participate in any way when God was creating the heaven and the earth; He alone created them. The heaven and the earth were created in Genesis chapter 1. After man was created at the end of chapter 1, there are 35

New York Times: Notes on Genesis I

scenes of man at work in chapter 3. The first thing man did was go against God and eat the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. If God had created the heaven and earth together with man, who would rebel this way, what would have happened? This is why God did not collaborate with man in the important work of creating the heaven and the earth. He did it all Himself.

The Work of the Prodigal Son and the Work of the Father

God also did not collaborate with man to accomplish the great, amazing work of salvation, but achieved salvation without the power of man.

I was once reading Luke, and there were many interesting facts. One of them was that the work of Jesus and the work of man are always differentiated in Luke. Everything man did ended in failure: the story of the younger son going to a far away country and failing in the story of the prodigal son; the story of a certain man going from Jerusalem to Jericho and failing; the story of the failed effort to build a tower, and so on. Such stories show that every work of man has failed. On the contrary, all works of Jesus are recorded to have succeeded beautifully.

The story of the prodigal son also differentiates between the work of the son and the work of the father. The son represents us, and the father represents God. The younger son takes his wealth into a far away country in this story and lives riotously; he sins with harlots, runs out of money, and becomes a pig herder. His entire body is covered in pig dung; he stinks, and is on the verge of starving to death. The younger son one day realizes that he would ultimately die if he continues living this way and returns to the father.

While he is a great way off, the father sees him, has compassion, runs, falls on his neck, and kisses him. The son says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” But the father says to the servants, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And kill the fatted calf and prepare for a feast.”

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In this manner, the work of the son and the work of the father are clearly differentiated in the story of the prodigal son. No matter how much the son tries to become clean while he is in the pig pen, the more he labors, the more filthy, pitiful, and hungry he becomes. The father, on the other hand, worked as soon as the son returned.

“What are you doing? Quickly heat the bath water. Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand. Put shoes on his feet. Kill the fatted calf.”

Because the father is at work, the son’s dirty clothes are taken off. He is made clean, full, and glorious. Spiritual life is like this.

Upon Discovering Your True Image

Before I realized this precious Word of God, I labored to become clean and not sin in the same way the younger son labored while he was in the pig pen. While attending church, I strained to faithfully keep the law and stand before God with my head held high. But just as the younger son became filthier and hungrier the more he labored in the pig pen, I felt that my life was 37

New York Times: Notes on Genesis I

When you give up on yourself, realizing that you are incapable of doing

falling deeper and deeper into sin.

One day, I acknowledged a certain truth: “Ah, I’m absolutely hopeless.”

By the grace of God, I was able to recognize myself. Before this, I regarded myself as a person who believed in God, who was good, and intelligent. On the contrary, when seen through the eyes of God, I was able to discover a completely different me.

“I am too filthy! I am so evil! I live like an idiot! Now it is impossible for me to keep the law and become clean!”

After realizing this, my belief in myself vanished. Before, I always thought, “But I’ll be fine as long as I pray hard. From this New Year, I’m going to make up my mind not to commit sin and live properly. Then, I’ll be fine.”

But as I discovered that I was not wise, but evil and filthy, I could no longer believe in myself. When I denied myself, Jesus amazingly entered into my heart immediately. Before, I had believed in myself and I could not accept anything different from my own thoughts. But when I came to distrust myself and stepped down from the throne in the kingdom of my heart, I was able to receive the Word of God into my heart even if it was different from my thoughts. After realizing that it is impossible to come to God through zealously praying, reading the Bible, keeping the law, and doing good deeds, Jesus began to work inside of me.

The younger son did not want to go before his father in filthy rags. No matter what it took, he wanted to stand before his father a little cleaner, a little neater. But that did not happen. He realized that it was impossible and had no choice but to go before his father in the evil and filthy condition he was in. The younger son returned to his father exactly the way he was. Now, as far as the younger son was concerned, there was nothing more to be done.

When the younger son reached the limits of his own labor and realized that there was nothing he could do, he returned to his father. And from then on, the father began to work. Amazing things happened as the father worked.

The younger son could not become clean no matter how hard he tried. But 38

good, and that you cannot keep the law, God begins to live and work inside your heart.

at his father’s words, his dirty clothes were removed, he bathed, and the best clothes were put on him. There was a ring put on his hand, shoes put on his feet, and he ate as much as he wanted at the feast that was prepared with the fatted calf. To have the younger son lack nothing as his son, the father made the younger son exactly like himself.

Through the Work of Jesus

Spiritual life is not us doing something so we can go to heaven. People know spiritual life in reverse. They think that it is they who must keep the law, obey God’s word, do good deeds, and be faithful to God. They think God will see these things, be pleased, and receive them. But there is not a single person who can come to God in this manner. The father worked when the younger son gave up on himself. You cannot see the work of God as long as you are trying to do the work. When you give up on yourself, realizing that you are incapable of doing good, and that you cannot keep the law, God begins to live and work inside your heart.

God must do the work of cleansing us. I will read from Romans chapter 3, verse 10.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Everything man does is evil. That is why in verse 23, we arrive at, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Up to verse 23, we see that everyone has sinned and cannot reach the glory of God with what they have done. It means that man could never stand before God with the results of what man has done. No matter how good, how beautiful, or how honest they are, the results of what man has done cannot satisfy God’s standards.

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No matter how good, how beautiful, or how honest they are, the results of what man has done cannot satisfy God’s standards.

appear more and more as man tries harder and harder to be good. But now, Jesus begins to work. The blood Jesus shed on the cross washed all of our sins as white as snow. No matter what sin you may have committed; what evil you may have done; what wrong you may have done; all of those sins have passed onto Jesus. Jesus was punished on the cross for all of your sins, and all of your sins have been washed away.

Could Not Be Left to Remain Dirty

Then in verse 24 it says, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

It means that not by the work of man, but through the work of Jesus, Being justified freely by his grace.

Verse 23 is the result of man’s attempt: that man cannot stand before God because man has sinned. Verse 24 is saying that man has become righteous through the work of Jesus, and can stand boldly before God. We have these two ways before us. If you are going before God relying on what you have done, you are verse 23. If you go that way, you have sinned no matter how much good you may have done, and you can never reach the glory of God. On the other hand, if you rely solely on the work of Jesus, and not on what you have done, you can boldly go before God because Jesus has cleansed and sanctified you.

The work of God is displayed in Genesis chapter 1. Because God works, the earth which was without form and void, changed into a beautiful paradise where the flowers bloom, fruits are borne, and birds sing. Afterwards, in Genesis chapter 3, we see that man begins to fall into sin as he begins to work.

The Bible says, The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. . . . (Jeremiah 17:9) That is why deceitful and wicked things are bound to 40

Let’s talk about this again. The results of what we have done are sinfulness, curse, and destruction. But, the work of God cleanses, justifies, and sanctifies us, who are this way. No matter how much you sin, there is no sin Jesus cannot wash away. No matter what pit you have fallen into, there is no pit Jesus cannot deliver you from. And no matter what binds you, there is no rope Jesus cannot loosen. Jesus delivered us perfectly from sin. He was crucified and cleansed us of all sins. That is what Romans chapter 3, verse 24 is telling us.

Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

We have not been justified through ourselves, but through Jesus. All I have ever done was commit sin and do evil deeds, but Jesus cleansed me.

When the prodigal son returned to his father’s house in his dirty and filthy condition, wearing dung covered rags, the father could not leave his son in the dirty condition he was in. That is why the father cleansed the son.

The father made the son so holy, clean, and glorious that the son would lack nothing when he was presented at the feast.

This is it! Everyone, we, like the younger son, have committed sin and have done evil. We are dirty humans who sin every day. God could not seat us at the feast table in this dirty, filthy condition we are in. So what did God do?

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New York Times: Notes on Genesis I

Jesus alone was crucified and has perfectly accomplished the work of

He sent His son, Jesus Christ, and cleansed and sanctified us. In order that we may stand before God absolutely flawless, Jesus washed our sins as white as snow, purified us, and justified us. This was not done through our effort or work.

Two things are before you. What you have done and what God has done.

What we have done is commit dirty, filthy, evil sins. If we look to what we have done, there is no one who can say that he is clean and righteous. “I’m filthy! Evil! Dirty!” If you are looking at yourself, no matter who you are, that is all you can say. But if we look to what Jesus has done; Jesus has washed our dirty sins as white as snow, so that we may lack nothing in standing before God. What Will You Believe?

Now, everyone, what will you believe? Will you believe in what you have done, and insist upon that, or will you believe in what Jesus has done? It is true that you have sinned. It is true that you have done filthy, dirty, lustful, and deceitful things. But regardless of what sin you may have committed, is there a sin that cannot be washed away by the blood Jesus shed on the cross?

None whatsoever. The Lord washed all of our sins clean at the cross and has forever purified us. I don’t know how it appears to you, but in the eyes of God, we all are righteous.

Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus bore our sins in our stead, and saved us through being crucified, Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God sees us and says that we are righteous. This is the gospel of God! This is the promise of God! I had more sins than anyone else. Just as Apostle Paul said, “. . . sinners; of whom I am chief,” I too was surely a man who committed evil, dirty sins.

But I was justified. It was not through my effort and good deeds, but I have gained holiness because all of my sins have been washed away through the 42

washing away our sins forever... All we do is simply receive, by faith, what Jesus has done: how He perfected, sanctified, and purified us.

death, the crucifixion, of Jesus.

Now, Believe in Jesus!

Man did not work while God was working in Genesis chapter 1. When they were in need of wine at the wedding in Cana, in John chapter 2, no one worked but Jesus alone. When the many people who had gathered to hear the words of Jesus needed bread, Jesus worked. It was also Jesus who worked when the man with an infirmity for 38 years was lying down.

Everyone, make everything that you have done into nothing, and believe in Jesus. I hope that you will receive into your heart what Jesus has done. What we have done is all evil, but the work Jesus has done has made us holy and righteous.

There is no man in Genesis chapter 1. God did not collaborate with man when He was creating the heaven and the earth. He did it all Himself. God does not borrow the strength of man when He saves us from sin. Jesus alone was crucified and has perfectly accomplished the work of washing away our sins forever. That is why there is no need whatsoever to add what we have done to this salvation, which was perfectly achieved by Jesus. If we add something to what Jesus has done, it is totally wrong. All we do is simply receive, by faith, what Jesus has done: how He perfected, sanctified, and purified us.

Now, do not say that you are a sinner according to your thoughts. Glorify God for what He has done. Say, “I was truly a filthy, dirty sinner, but Jesus has purified and sanctified me. I believe this fact that is written in the Bible,” and have faith. That faith will make you into a person who lacks nothing in standing before God. 43

Fulfilling The Promise: 500 Churches - Fort Wayne

G

The new chapel for Good News Fort Wayne Church

Fulfilling the Promise: 500 Churches – Fort Wayne Minister Khun H. Htaik | Good News Fort Wayne Church

God spoke through the servant that 500 churches will be established in the United States. The Bible says that a church is not just a building, it is a place where saved brothers and sisters come together in the will of God. More than anyone else, God wants the Gospel to be preached to those who are suffering because they have not heard the true Word yet. God has led thousands of people to hear the Word through many events such as the Bible Crusade, regional Bible Seminars, English Camps, World Camps, and Cantata Tour. This will be the first of many examples of the promise of God to establish the 500 churches throughout the United States.

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od led usto purchase a church in Fort Wayne, which is part of the promise to establish 500 churches in United States. The Fort Wayne Church was established in 2011. During that time the New York Pastor shared the Word with us. He said if we meet people who try to keep the law, then we know that they have not been saved yet. Likewise when we live spiritual life we tried to do all the work, which is not correct. It is not that God doesn't know how to preach the Gospel. He sent us to each place, because He wants us to see what He has prepared for us. The New Jersey Pastor also said, “The servant of God already sees 500 churches in the United States. Even though there are difficulties and burdens, even though we didn't see 500 churches with our eyes yet, there will be 500 churches. We have to go up to the mountain again and again, until we see a cloud as small as a man's hand.” (1 Kings 18:43-44) We always believed and followed what we saw rather than having faith in the Word. That's why when the difficulties come we felt frustrated.

Regardless of our situation God strongly worked in the United States through the Bible Crusade, English Camp, World Camp, and Christmas Cantata. When we think about the Christmas Cantata, many people heard the Gospel and were filled with thankfulness and joy.

This year the New York Pastor talked about all the regional churches receiving the grace of God to purchase a chapel. Our church received grace to prepare for the 2015 Christmas Cantata. Pastor recommended that we should look for a chapel as well. The Fort Wayne church used to have service in a house with a few members, and we never imagined buying a church in those conditions. Not too long after, my son had check-up, and they found lead poisoning in his blood. The health 45

Fulfilling The Promise: 500 Churches - Fort Wayne

Chapel basement water damage

Chapel inside

department came and checked the house and advised that we shouldn't live in that house anymore. We had no choice but to find another place. Even though the New York Pastor advised me to find a church, until that time I still tried to find a house. But no matter how much I tried to find one, I couldn't find a suitable house to use as a church. At that time God showed us a church that we used for the Bible Seminar when we first moved to Fort Wayne. That church was put up for sale one year ago. We knew that but we never considered buying it. Since we couldn’t find a house, we began to ask about the church. The sale price was $275,000. And when we offered $200,000, that church pastor accepted our offer. At that time I reported this to the New York Pastor, and he advised me to put 50% down for the purchase. Because we cannot do anything, we prayed together with the brothers and sisters to seek the grace of God. After we signed the purchase agreement, we found out that some parts inside of the church had water damage because of broken pipes.

The damages were estimated at $100,000. They (church pastor) also

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Church service

Chapel outside

agreed to fix the damages. At first this seemed like only a problem and difficulty but God turned the situation where we glorified him I always thought that I live in Fort Wayne to meet the people, lead the church, and preach the gospel. But I never realized that all these situations were placed by God. When the servant of God told us to go to Fort Wayne, God already placed people who would listen to the Gospel and people who would help us. Through purchasing the chapel, God crumbled all of our thoughts, and God gave us hope in our heart. I can only be thankful and glorify God in front of the work of God fulfilling the promise to His servant.

God's promise to establish 500 churches in America is given to us all. Through this month's special article, we hope you will also be able to discover God's heart of preaching the Gospel in America and partake in the amazing works of God. Please pray until the promise is fulfilled. Look forward to our next issue's article.

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Memoirs of a Missionary

Once we held a conference in Togoville, which is located 55 km away from

Giving Life is the Life of a Christian Pastor Joon Hyun Lee | LomĂŠ, Togo

Lome. In Togoville, there are many shamans, idols, and baobab trees that are worshipped as a god since it has very strong mythical beliefs compare to other religions. This is a place where shamans are the most active in Togo.

One of ministers in a regional church wanted to invite students from Togoville. Although there were many difficulties, we prepared a conference. The venue for the conference was great. There was a tent set up by a road in front

The first three years of ministering in Ghana was very difficult. There were

of a small building and there were approximately 100 chairs set up. A preach-

a series of difficult problems such as getting a green card, paying rent, and

er sharing the Word, people under the tent sincerely listening to the Word,

establishing native pastors. Later, we bought land and built a chapel by the

houses and a cemetery behind the tent, and people crouching down near a

grace of God where five native pastors were ordained. It seemed as if all the

statue with the look of lost hope, everything seemed impressive enough to

difficult times passed by quickly and the happy moments continued. Howev-

be an art, so I especially asked a short term missionary to take pictures. God

er, things that we did not imagine and the things that would hurt the heart of

worked wherever we went. We preached the Gospel to people who believed

Christians the most were waiting for us.

in a myth and it was amazing how they met the life of Christ.

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Memoirs of a Missionary

The Eyes to See Rotten Mangos

I came to like mangos while living in Togo. One day, I saw a mango tree behind a restaurant in the countryside. My heart was happy and satisfied as I saw refined mangos as big as a human’s head on the tree. However, there were many bugs in the mangos that were on the ground and they were rotten. Bugs infected a few mangos that were on the low branches as well. There were healthy and delicious looking mangos in the middle of the tree. They looked so great. While I was looking at the mangos, a lady who was 10 meters away started to talk to me.

“Hello, sir. Those mangos are all rotten. None of them are edible.”

“What are you talking about? There are some good ones. Why do you say that all of them are rotten?”

I thought there were some bad ones but good ones as well.

“All the mangos on the tree are infected by bugs.”

“But, could I still get one?”

“If you want, you could get one. But, it’s already rotten.”

There are mangos that are seemingly good but rotten and inedible. The lady who knew precisely about the mangos could see they were rotten, but I could only see its delicious appearance. Likewise, there are people who look through eyes of God and people who look through the eyes of man. Because many people look through their own eyes, they have their own ways to define who is good and bad. However, the way that God sees differs from us because He precisely knows everything about man.

Tamar Completely Covered Herself

When we look at the life of Tamar in Genesis chapter 38, the process of how life is born is portrayed in detail. It is amazing when you look through the process of how the life of Jesus Christ is born.

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A conference was held in Togoville, a village where the most people believe in superstition.

Tamar precisely knew that the life of Jesus was flowing in Judas’ family. That is why she yearned to bear life, but she failed to do so. Eventually, she was sent back to her father’s house. After some time passed, Tamar heard that her father-in-law was passing by a place called, “Timnah.” Because she knew the Christ would be born through Judah’s seed, Tamar took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place which was on the way to Timnah. Judas came up to her and spoke. While I was imagining that scene, I came up with a play.

“Who is this woman? She is a harlot.”

If someone heard this, one would throw the veil away and start fighting saying, “Hey, what did you say? Did you say that I am a harlot?” Though he treated her as a harlot, Tamar accepted it.

“Yes, I am a dirty woman. There is nothing that pleases God. I am unable.”

Tamar was in a position to be cursed before God. That was why she went to Judas who had the life of Christ, and we could see that through Judas the life of Christ was born. A person who receives life is someone who takes off one’s garments, covers oneself with a

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Memoirs of a Missionary

veil, and covers everything of oneself. Jacob was in the same situation to be cursed if he was revealed, but Rebecca was trying to guide him.

God wants to lead us through the process of saving people. This is because it is the most valuable and precious thing. There are no outwardly good aspects of Africa. However, people could live preaching the Gospel anytime and go wherever God leads them. Isn’t this life beautiful?

“Two days later, we received two letters that were sent one day after another. One was the letter from the deputy director telling us to pay a fine or be deported, the other was the letter from the immigration director telling us that all fines would be pardoned.”

Crisis of Deportation

The first three years were very difficult after arriving in Africa in 1995. The time went by very slowly. We faced many difficult situations and we were not prepared for them. The most difficult thing was receiving a visa from the immigration office. We needed a green card to live in Africa for the long term, not a visa that lasted a few months. We had to get a permit to work from the government of Ghana. With this information, we had to get either the one or three year work permit. This was not simple. Later, we figured out that we were supposed to receive the permit from the government before coming to Ghana. We did not know about this when we were in Korea. When we applied for a green card, it became more complicated and it was time for us to be deported.

The letter from the immigration department informed us to either pay a $7,000 fine or be deported.

“How could this be? We came to all the way to Africa, but how could we pay $7,000 or be deported?”

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“Two days later, we received two letters that were sent one day after another. One was the letter from the deputy director telling us to pay fine or be deported, the other was the letter from the immigration director telling us that all fines would be pardoned.”

My English was not sufficient enough to write a petition. At that time, there was a sister who worked at the police headquarters and we prepared the documents in her office. Coincidently, the police chief saw us on the way out of his office and asked.

“What is going on?”

We did not pay attention because we were too busy, but he asked again, “What is going on?”

“We got fined by the immigration office and we are about to be deported. That is why we are preparing a petition to receive grace.”

“Really? The director of the immigration office is my friend. I will help you.”

He told us it was actually the deputy director who did everything, and he called him. The deputy director was very fussy and he ignored the chief of police’s request to help the Good News Mission, and hung up saying, “Cut the nonsense.” The chief said he doesn’t know that I am a friend of the immigration office director and told us not to worry.

We submitted the petition but the deputy director rejected us.

Later, the chief of police explained to the director of immigration.

Two days later, we received two letters that were sent one day after another. One was the letter from the deputy director informing us to deport or pay the fine; the other was the letter from the director of immigration informing us that all fines would be pardoned. Which letter has more power? Of course, the letter from the director has

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Memoirs of a Missionary

After giving a sermon at the conference, Pastor Ock Soo Park greets the Ghana church.

more power. God miraculously solved the unsolvable problem.

The End of the First Act

When I think of it now, the chapel is small, but back then it was big and good. At that time, it was hard to make phone calls to Korea because there was no internet. Pastor Ock Soo Park was very happy to visit us. Although we spent three years of difficult times, we were very comforted by the pastor.

We held the first pastoral ordination ceremony for five native missionaries. I felt like those five pastors were like treasures. They seemed so precious that they could even be called black pearls. As the pastors were ordained, there were new regional churches established.

It was a great festival in West Africa. That was how the first act of the missions ended. The end of the first act was very beautiful and so clear. Our hearts were overflowing with happiness and hope as if we could pour all of our hearts for the Gospel without holding back.

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I listed the five native pastors in ranking order.

The first was Mandela. Just like his name, his dream was becoming a leader of Africa. He was young but strong, and passionate about everything. He looked good to us so we established him first.

The second was Daniel. He was witty and smart. He could conduct hymns well and was gifted in music. He had good leadership as well.

The third was Sedan. He was originally from Togo. He could not afford tuition, so he took a semester off and got a job in Ghana. He got a really good job in Africa. A few weeks after he heard the Gospel, he quit his good job and came to the missionary school. He valued the Gospel and was gifted.

The fourth was Francis. He seemed lacking and slow. However, he remained in the church and wanted to be with the church and live preaching the Gospel.

The fifth was Tetero. I hesitated if I should recommend him or not.

He was illegally working in Daejeon. After he was saved, he stopped everything and came back to Ghana to live for the Gospel. He came to the missionary school, but he did not have any special gifts. I hesitated until the last minute and put him on the list. We poured all of our hearts for these five leaders who would fulfill a dream of preaching the Gospel in Ghana.

The Second Act Spotted with Betrayal

After Pastor Park went back to Korea, the second act of the missions of Africa started. In the second act, a tremendous event happened. Those pastors that we poured our hearts into betrayed us one by one. We had the ordination in August of 1998, and after 18 months passed, the first person, Mandela, caused an incident in November of 1999. He suddenly opened the book of Jeremiah and

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Memoirs of a Missionary

said he received a promise from God. He said God told him to go to the north now. He went against the church, and solicited remaining pastors and missionaries that caused us great pain and sorrow. We thought he was the best, but when he betrayed us it was so painful and sad.

The second one, Daniel, left the church a few years later. People who we trusted and poured our hearts into started to betray us one by one. At that time, I was a co-pastor, and I saw Pastor Jang suffering a lot. My heart was in pain as well. Betrayals from close people were really hard to bear. Rather, people who we considered to be lacking were staying with us.

After that happened, I drove with Pastor Jang and went on long distance witnessing trips. The pastor often seemed gloomy and sad, and led by a disconsolate heart. I too was bitter, but I did not know why exactly the pastor was suffering so much since I was one step behind him.

“Minister Lee, we are the founding members of the missions in Africa. The founding members usually go through hard times. Think about the new pastors who will live powerfully for the Gospel on this foundation. Minister Lee, although it is difficult, let’s bear it.” Pastor Jang often comforted me.

People asked me, “What is the most difficult part of missions in Africa? Weather? Food? Diseases?

Of course, there are those kind of difficulties. I almost died many times due to malaria. However, those were not the most difficult things. Betrayal, despair from betrayal, my heart closing to the natives who betrayed me. This heart that arose in me was the hardest part.

“They are good now but eventually they will betray us. That person will act differently. What is the point of training them? When they

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“I saw many saved people who were stumbling in Africa. That is why I hope for God to give us the blessing to bear life through Christ more than anything.”

grow up, they will betray us thinking they are smart.”

It was so difficult whenever hateful hearts toward brothers and sisters arose.

“I saw many saved people who were stumbling in Africa. That is why I hope for God to give us the blessing to bear life through Christ more than anything.”

How Christians Should Live

It rains frequently in Africa. There is a rainy season. You could see countless bugs coming out of the holes in the earth and flying in the sky in the evening. Have you ever seen bugs develop wings and fly in the sky? I could easily see many bugs gathering by the light in the evening. However, after time passes by, the wings fall out and there are a lot of bugs piled up on the ground.

Just like bugs on the ground are born again with wings, Christians have a life of living for the Gospel after being born again. Some people, after receiving salvation, receive grace to powerfully bear a life, whereas, some people lose the heart of God. I thought about why saved people were caught by Satan and falling. They would lose their wings and fall over because of the following: a heart to trust oneself, a heart to see oneself as good, and a heart to follow what is good in one’s eyes. I saw many saved people who were falling over in Africa. That is why I hope for God to give us the blessing to bear a life through Christ more than anything.

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Gospel Lesson

We Must Be Born Again Pastor Kim Mu Ho | West Busan Church

John 3:1-7 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

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oday, countless people are sincere about going to church and look everywhere to find eternal life. Sometimes, if you go to a prayer garden in the mountains or a revival assembly, you will see many people with their hands up in the air towards the sky and crying because they are yearning for heaven. However, just because they do that, will they really be able to obtain heaven or eternal life? That answer lies in the conversation Nicodemus and Jesus share in John chapter 3.

Nicodemus, like his name implies was someone who was outstanding than others. He was a Pharisee and a sincere religionist. The fact that he was a ruler (John 3:1) showed that he was a leader amongst the public. In John chapter 3 verse 10, it says he was the master of Israel. Also, in John chapter 19, you can see that he was well off because when Jesus died, he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds worth. This Pharisee, Nicodemus, was almost perfect in human terms, as a religionist and an upright man. However, through meeting Christ, he realized in his heart, that he did not have eternal life.

One night, he went to look for Jesus, whom everyone considered was a heretic, and shared what was in his heart. Jesus told him the secret of the kingdom of heaven. It was the truth that ‘Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus kept the law, he spread ‘good’ to others, did a lot of work, but because it was the first time he heard the truth about, “must be born again,” he was confused. He asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time

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Gospel Lesson

The Flesh The Greek word for “flesh” in the New Testament is sarx, a term that can often in Scripture refer to the physical body.

However, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature describes the word as: “the physical body as functioning entity; in Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are likewise present, and no good thing can live.”

into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4) He was a sincere religionist. He knew the law and was a teacher of it, but when it came to the problem of his own soul and salvation, he was clueless.

Today as well, many people want with their heart but do not know the way to eternal life just like Nicodemus. They are wandering and worrying about it in solitude. When you ask someone, “Are you born again?” You can sometimes hear them answer, “Yes.” However, there are many cases where what they call “born again” starts from going to church, cleaning up their riotous life, getting rid of their bad habits, getting cured of their disease, or experiencing miracles. What we need to know is “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) Just like He says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

(John 3:6). Although our flesh undergoes a change, if we don’t have a spirit, if we are not born again through the spirit, then we have nothing to do with God. When the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil was eaten, the flesh was already cursed by God. Just like David says in Psalms 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Because we are already sinful, even though we improve ourselves, in front of God we are still the same. Because of that, we cannot go to God’s kingdom just by changing the flesh. Although we try with our will and good deeds, we cannot be born again.

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God cannot be happy about good thoughts that originate from the flesh.

Then, what is the flesh and what is the spirit? Paul speaks about his flesh, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18) In Romans chapter 8 verse 6, he says, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” God cannot be happy about good thoughts that originate from the flesh. Things that don’t come from the spirit are all from the flesh, and in order for us to know the flesh we have to know the spirit. When Jesus told Nicodemus about the spirit, he could not understand at all. It is not because he didn’t know the Bible, but it was because he had no spirit.

Today as well, although people are Christians from birth for tens of years, a person without the spirit cannot understand the words about the spirit.

Because of this, they have questions about being born again through water and the spirit, just like Nicodemus. Some people even think that they must be baptized because it says we had to be born of water, so they are diligent about going to church and receiving education about baptism and consider that to being born again. However, what Jesus said about being born of water and the spirit does not mean baptism. If water was baptism, then all the people who were not baptized would have to go to hell, then when did the robber on the cross get baptized to go to heaven? In the nooks and crannies of the Bible, there are stories of people receiving salvation, but it doesn’t say that they had to be baptized in order to obtain heaven. If that is the case, then what does

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Gospel Lesson

You have to be born again through God's Spirit and the life that is in the Word written in the Bible.

it mean by being born through water and the spirit? If you look in the Bible, there are times when water means the Word of God. In 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 23, it says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

In Ephesians chapter 2 verse 26 it says, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” However, we wash our sins by the Word of God. We will not be born again through burning flames that suddenly come down from heaven, by speaking in tongues or by doing some strange action.

In the Word of God, it tells us that we have lost life because of the sin of our ancestors. In John chapter 1 verses 1 through 4, it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” If you read this Word closely, “God” means the Word of God and it says that “God” is life. In John chapter 6 verse 63, it also says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” However, in the Word Jesus preaches, there is life that cannot be seen by the eye. We read and know the Word of the Bible, but if we cannot receive the life and sprit inside it, we cannot be born again.

You have to be born again through God’s Spirit

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Born Again The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above."

Nicodemus had a real need.

He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes. John 1:1213 indicates that being "born again" also carries the idea of "becoming children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

and the life that is in the Word written in the Bible.

Have you truly been born again through the Word?

Now, let’s talk in more detail about being born again through the “Spirit.” In John chapter 1 verse 12, it says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” When it says “received,” it means bringing someone who is outside to the inside. If you look at this picture, you can see the scene of Jesus standing outside a door, knocking on it desperately. Just like this, Jesus truly wants to come inside each and every person’s heart, but sometimes, people tell Jesus to come in while the door of their heart is closed. The Spirit will not break down the door to come in like a thief or robber would if you don’t open the door. The spirit will never come in to a closed door. If that is the case, from our perspective, we have to open our heart towards the Spirit, but what do we have to do to open the door of our heart?

Will He come in if we cry and plead, “Come in! Come in! The Lord has come, come in!”?

Before we open the door of our heart, we must first know that our heart is closed. If you tell someone you just met to open their heart, they would not be able to do this easily. It is because the other party does not know exactly what kind of person you are. He doesn’t know if you are a thief, a con-man, or a liar, therefore, he is not able to open his heart to them. In the same way, if you don’t know Jesus Christ, it is not easy to open your heart. You will be able to open the door to Christ when you have exact knowledge of Jesus. In Hosea chapter 6 verse 3, it says, “Then shall we know,

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Gospel Lesson

Holy Spirit The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the body of Christ at the moment of salvation.

if we follow on to know the Lord.” Hosea shouted this to the Israelites. This is true. If we don’t know Jesus Christ precisely, we can never open our hearts towards the Lord. If you ask people, “What kind of person is Jesus and who is He?” they will either answer in a vague way, “He is the one who died for mankind.” Or “He is the one who loves us.” Truly knowing Jesus Christ means knowing how Jesus became my Lord and how His blood washed away all my sins. If you believe without knowing, that is superstition. We need to gain knowledge about Christ that is shown in the Bible. This is called wisdom. Through this wisdom, we are able to open the door of our hearts towards Jesus.

The second reason that we are not able to open the door of our heart towards the Lord is because we are not ready to bring the Lord into our heart. Sometimes when I get a call that a special guest is coming to my house, I first sweep the front yard, then organize my room and my office. I do this because I can bring the guest in after I clean. How can I invite my special guest in if everything is dirty? This is a heart that everyone has. As a pastor, sometimes I go to my congregation member’s home and if I go without giving a notice, I have to wait outside their house for 10 to 20 minutes or even longer. The Lord does the same. The Lord is not able to go into your heart, just like the Sunday school song that is titled “Bring the Lord into a Clean Heart.” Our hearts have to be in a state where the Holy Spirit

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The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicket: who can know it?

can come in. In Acts chapter 2 verse 38, Apostle Peter shouted, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” This was the core of his sermon. We don’t know our hearts precisely. God looks into our hearts said in Jeremiah chapter 17 verse 9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

How can Jesus go into the heart of man that is more dirty and evil than anything else in the world?

Have you truly received forgiveness of sin in the grace of God and has He come in and washed all of your heinous sin white as snow? Sometimes when I talk about being born again, I use this example. One farmer raised a pig and it had too many babies. So two of the piglets were dying because they were not able to drink milk. At that time, because the farmer also had a dog that only had two puppies and had left over milk, the farmer helped the piglets drink the dog’s milk. It was a relief because the mother dog allowed the piglets to feed as well. So, now, because the piglets drank the dog’s milk, will it turn into a dog after one or two months? It doesn’t make any sense. No matter how much a pig drinks a dog’s milk, it is still a pig. In the same way, we are sinners and when God sees us we are already beings that do not have life, and we cannot become God’s children by just going to church or listening to the Word of the Bible and following it. There is only one way to become God’s child. We must be born again through the Word of the living God. You will be born again

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Gospel Lesson

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.

through His life. This is the truth that will never change in front of God. In Corinthians chapter 13 verse 5, Apostle Paul states very strongly, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates.” If the Spirit is truly not in your heart, you will be one who is thrown away. It doesn’t matter if you have been a churchgoer since birth or if you are a deacon, the Lord will throw you away. It is because those people are the same as heads of grain without the grain. In Matthew chapter 7 verse 21, Jesus said in His sermon on the mountain, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

Then what kind of person can enter the kingdom of God? It is the person who does the will of my Father which is in heaven.” In 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verse 3, it is written, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” Everyone, have you truly become holy before God? Have your sins been washed and are you born again by the Spirit?

Have you become a holy child of God?

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Preaching the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth

First Fruit at Apkok-dong Testimony of Pastor Ock Soo Park

I

n 1963, I was preaching the Gospel in a village called “Saeteo” in Apgok-dong. One day, early in the morning, a young man called me. “Minister, minister!” He had come to tell me that a young man from the village, who had worked as a driver in the army, had died 68

in an accident and his body had arrived. According to the tradition of the village, a person who had died outside of the village could not be brought into the village, so the villagers had placed the body outside of the village. As they were discussing what to do with the body, someone mentioned, “There’s a minister living across the village, so let’s do it through the church.” So they came to ask me to lead the funeral. I was often starving during that time, so I was able to lead the funeral and eat good food.

Since then, I went to a village called “Apshil” every Thursday to preach the Word. Throughout the whole afternoon, I would visit houses to witness, and during dinner time, I would sit in the woods to take a rest and to pray. The village was so poor that the chief of the village told me that I would be kicked out of the village if I were to ask for even a spoonful of rice. Then, when dinner time came to an end, I would gather people around in a small room to preach the Word. Afterwards, I crossed over the mountains to go back home late at night. Back then, there were many wild animals in the mountains, which made traveling at night dangerous.

Soon, the amount of people who heard the Word in Apshil increased, so I moved from Saeteo to Apshil. I spent most of my mornings reading the Bible, but one day, someone came to visit the landlord. The countryside is so quiet that one could hear a chicken crowing or a dog barking. The landlord was smoking in her living room and a lady visited her, and the two began to talk.

“Hey, you came?”

“Yes, has someone moved into the downstairs room?”

“Yeah, a church minister.”

“A minister? When did he move in?”

The lady asked many things about me. I thought for sure that she believed in Jesus. Otherwise, she would not be asking so many 69

Preaching the Gospel to the Ends of the Earth

questions about a minister being here. So I grabbed my Bible and stepped out.

“Ma’am, do you believe in Jesus?”

“No, I don’t believe in Him.” No matter how much she denied believing in Jesus, I opened the Bible and preached to her thinking, “This person is a believer.” She put her sales items aside and listened to the Word. She was poor in spirit. She listened to the Word for a few hours as if she was out of her senses with a blank look on her face. But she was able to receive the assurance of salvation.

While I was in Apgok-dong, I preached the Gospel and held Bible studies, but there was no one who opened their heart and received salvation. She was the first to be assured of salvation. As she received salvation, we became one hearted, and we were so joyful. Sister Eulsoon Sohn was so happy to have received salvation in the midst of her difficult life. I lived in a town where no one would open their hearts, no matter how diligently I would preach the Word. But I was so happy that sister Sohn opened her heart to accept the Gospel.

Later on, she told me why she had said she did not believe in Jesus.

She said, “I thought that if someone who believes in Jesus lives such a poor life as me, then it would get in the way of God’s glory. That’s why I purposely said that I didn’t believe in Him.” Afterwards, I would go to sister Sohn’s house often to preach the Word, and she too would visit me often to have Bible study. From time to time, she would tell me, “On the way back home late at night from Bible study, I met a fox, which chased me,” or “I saw a wolf on my way here, early this morning.” I prayed daily for that sister, and even while I read the Word, I would think to myself, “I should preach this Word to the sister.” Sister Sohn’s husband was visually impaired, and her house was very shabby. Although I would point out sin through 70

the Word, he would just smile and say, “What kind of sin could I possibly have?” He was such a good guy humanistically, that I never saw him get angry. Thus, I could not preach the Gospel to him. But one day, when I visited him with my Bible, he crawled out in a rush, saying “Minister, you’ve come!” He was a person who would neither move nor blink when I would preach the Word, but his heart had completely changed.

Last night, a dike had collapsed due to heavy rain and water had begun to come into the room while sister Sohn was out working. Usually, when the sister went out to the countryside to trade, she would return within a week or ten days. No matter how loudly he yelled, nobody could hear him because his house was isolated from the rest of the town. Moving from one room to the next with his children in his arms, unable to see, he had thought, “I will be the death of my children,” and so he had prayed, saying “God, please help! God, please help!” However, he remembered what I said to him, “God does not listen to the prayers of sinners.” That made him regretful that whole night, thinking, “Why didn’t I tell the minister that I have no sin and receive salvation?” Fortunately, the rain had stopped, and the water had subsided the next day. That was when I visited him. He grabbed my hand, yelling “Minister!” That day, I preached the Gospel, and he received salvation. Later on, his sons and daughters all received salvation as well and were changed.

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