I've Deeply Realized What a True Pastor Is Like
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16578 |
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June 20, 2010 |
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Pastor Boongsoon Chang (56, New Hope Church)
Pastor Boongsoon Chang (left) and Brother Kisang Yoon (right): Pastor Chang received answers to many questions he had through Dr. Jaerock Lee's messages and healing of incurable diseases
I am ministering to a small church in Younchun Gun, Kyeong-gi Province, near to the Military Demarcation Line, a border line between South Korea and North Korea. It was through the Internet that I came to know about Manmin Central Church. When I searched for ideal Korean protestant churches at the 'Knowledge iN' corner of a Korean portal website www.naver.com, I saw a personal comment saying Manmin Central Church is a heretical sect and thought the church is not worthy to be counted at all. In August of 2009, I saw a different comment on the church at the same corner 'Knowledge iN' and came to have interest in the ministry of the church. At that time I was suffering from the disease 'dysphagia.' Dysphagia is the medical term for the symptom of difficulty in swallowing. When someone suffering from dysphagia swallows food, food is blocked in the middle of gullet, and severe pain and difficulty in breathing follow and cold sweat wells up. Then, he has to experience many difficulties in eating food. At first I had to suffer this disease once a month, but later those symptoms happened a few times while having a bowl of rice and it worsened as time passed. What was worse, I had to suffer from the difficulty in breathing whenever I sang praises, so I couldn't sing more than 3 songs. Even if I did a small work, it caused me to feel dizzy and my face to turn pale, and I got out of breath. I thought that not many days would remain for me and was calmly awaiting death.
Awaiting Death Because of Failure of Ministry and Disease
I had no mind to go to hospital, because I thought I'd rather die even a single day earlier than to live in this world. The church I was serving didn't have a congregation of young people, but just old people. Even many of the old members drew their last breaths and the church revival stopped. I was so disheartened at the situation that I sat in front of the computer longer and longer, and lost the courage to spread the gospel. I couldn't pray or overcome sins. I felt it would be much better for me to die earlier to commit less sin, and to go to Heaven. In that situation I found a different comment on Manmin Central Church on the Internet. The comment said countless people, overseas or at home, received healing through the ministry of Manmin Central Church. My question was how many people could receive healing at a heretical church. So, I searched for and read more comments of the same person that wrote the comment. I found his comments proving he has a right and biblical belief. I began to send my questions to the person and shared this and that with him. He was Brother Kisang Yoon attending Manmin Central Church. I asked him, "I have many questions. Is everything you said true?" He answered, "Pastor Chang, I'd like to tell you to purchase Rev. Jaerock Lee's books and read them." According to his advice, I bought Tasting Eternal Life before Death, The Message of the Cross, The Measure of Faith, and My Life My Faith I & II at Manmin Book Store, and read them. Those books included different doctrines from those of the denomination my church belongs to, but there is no point at all that may be counted as heretical. Instead I was so much touched at the teachings and testimonies recorded in those books. They gave me much impression and grace, and I could feel the truthfulness in them. After I read My Life My Faith II, I was almost shocked and exclaimed with joy and emotion, saying, "These works can happen by no one else but a man of God! How can it be that this man of God lives in our time?"
Receiving Answers to Many Questions on the Bible
From that time on I have visited the website of Manmin Central Church and read and listened to many kinds of messages preached by Dr. Jaerock Lee including 'Lectures on the Book of Genesis.' I could gain the answers to many questions I had not been able to receive even after reading the Bible more than 100 times. I fully submerged myself in the holiness gospel and spent most of time listening to and reading Rev. Lee's messages except for the time to lead the worship services. For the last 6 months I have listened to a thousand messages. When I read the book The Measure of Faith, I thought I am at the level of faith to practice the Word of God, but as I kept on listening to many messages, I found myself merely at the least level of faith for shameful salvation. After I realized this truth, my heart was so distressed beyond description. I eagerly wished to firsthand see, listen to, and learn at Manmin Central Church, and by the help of Brother Kisang Yoon I began to attend the Friday all-night service. When I entered the church, I was so amazed to see all the sanctuaries including Main Sanctuary were filled with church members and the members' fervent attention to the messages, and their Spirit-filled praises were fully worthy to attract me. Through the Word of life, I have come to know how wrong I am. I offered God 3-day fasting prayers 8 times, and repented of my former shameful life as a pastor. I also prayed and tried my best to throw away sins from the heart.
Understanding the Will of God and Healed of My Incurable Disease
At a divine healing meeting held during the second part of Friday all-night service, I received the prayer for the sick when Dr. Jaerock Lee prayed from the podium. At that moment, a miracle occurred to me. When I returned home and ate food, no symptom of dysphagia happened. I felt the difficulty in breathing and asthenia had been healed, so I entered the sanctuary and mightily sang a hymnal song. There was no pain. I continually sang a few more songs but nothing happened. Though I sang songs even for an hour, I was not out of breath but filled with grace and joy. I ran out of the sanctuary and tried to dig the land with a shovel. I had no difficulty in doing that at all. A few days later I fasted and dug the land for a couple of hours, but never out of breath at all. I used to have no appetite for food and couldn't eat more than the half of a bowl of rice. But now I can eat more than a bowl of rice very fast. I've recovered good health completely. Hallelujah! In addition, I offer my gratitude to God for my elder sister and younger sister registered at Manmin Central Church and were healed of degenerative arthritis and the pain on the shoulder respectively.
Wishing to Spread Powerful Works of God
As I have firsthand experienced God's powerful works, I am very sorry and sad to hear some people fail to recognize God's powerful servants who are accomplishing God's kingdom in His confirmation and spread rumors about the church God is with without examining them. No one should judge and condemn a church that serves the Lord, as wrong or heretical. I have the confidence to say how blessed the members of Manmin Central Church are to serve Dr. Jaerock Lee as their shepherd. I respect and love him, too. I was awaiting death, but I have come to possess the hope for New Jerusalem, the best dwelling place of Heaven and understand what a true pastor is like. I give all thanks and glory to Father God who healed me and poured down on me boundless grace and love.
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