Pastor Sooyeol Cho, age 51, 2nd Great Grand Parish Pastor in South Korea

In July 1984, I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and had surgery at Seoul National University Hospital. It took around eight hours. However, it recurred in three months. My nose was stooped up and bled a lot. This tumor root spread to my brain and became a brain tumor.

In January 1985, my mother guided me to Manmin Central Church. I passed through the crisis of death by receiving Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer. In June, I received a calling and began preparation to become a pastor though I was a medical student at the time. In the meantime I bled a lot about ten times and was driven to near-death situations. My Senior Pastor, who was in his mountain prayer house, knew my critical condition by inspiration and prayed to God for me. His prayer kept me alive.

Then, I worked in the Editorial Bureau that is in charge of the publication ministry. While I armed myself with God's Word, I realized the spiritual cause of my disease. It was that I had lived as I wanted though I had been a Christian from birth, and it was also caused by my parents' and ancestors' sins (Numbers 14:18). When my father drank alcohol and smoked without attending church, my nose bled excessively. When he repented with fasting, my bleeding stopped.

My parents ended up forsaking God's grace that had saved me. I was shocked and lamented. Then I was resolutely determined to become a pastor. Galatians 5:24 reads, "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." As said, I started to serve my parents only in God's will, not in my personal affection.

When I served College Mission as Guidance Pastor, I was too weak physically to fulfill my duty well. I expressed intention to resign from the position to the Senior Pastor. But he encouraged me with faith and love, saying, "A pastor gains energy when he looks after his flock." I felt so thankful and made up my mind again to recover good health, repay his grace, and become a source of power for this church and the shepherd.

From that time on I fasted many times for 21 days, 30 days, or 40 days relying only on God. Eventually, the spiritual cord with ancestors was cut. I was healed of all my weakness and recovered good health. Moreover, I took on the precious duty of a Parish Pastor, and then Grand Parish Pastor by God's grace. Hallelujah!

Since July 2011, I have been focused on achieving the heart of spirit God wants me to have. One day I found that I judged others while trying to discern a certain situation. So I just stopped trying to discern. And I repented that I judged and condemned them before I tried to understand and forgive them with love.

In early 2013, it came through my mind in prayer that Jesus was nailed through His hands and feet for me and the shepherd suffered from punishment that I would have had to receive but still looked at me with love. I couldn't stop sobbing and crying. From then I tried to serve others and learn from them with humbleness. And I finally accomplished the heart of spirit.

I am very happy these days because many church members have been renewed when I delivered the love of God, the Lord, and the shepherd in the Holy Spirit's guidance. Thank You God for blessing me to become a true pastor. I give all thanks and glory to God!




He prayed for a member in Thailand with the handkerchief (Acts 19:11-12). He rejoiced during Penang Manmin Deaf Church's anniversary celebration in Malaysia.