The Faithful God who recompenses according to our deeds.
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August 6, 2006 |
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 Deacon Ghap-ryul Han (1st Paul's Mission; Central Manager, Urim Insu - Urim Insu is a division of the Shinhan Life insurance company)
The Seoul sky at the onset of the summer was unusually clean and bright. The look on Deacon Ghap-ryul Han (1st Paul's Mission; Central Manager, Urim Insu - Urim Insu is a division of the Shinhan Life insurance company) was as bright as the sunlight on this gorgeous day.
From the moment the reporter met with Deacon Han, I could sense his heartfelt gestures and words when dealing with others. This is because such behavior has become so accustomed to him after working for five years as a financial planner ("FP"; a professional who helps people with various financial needs).
At the end of 2001, at the referral of a brother in Christ in the same mission, Deacon Han began working at "Shinhan Life." He started work after being discharged from the military in 1997 but was forced to quit during the financial crisis that swept through Asia in the late 1990s. Even though he switched from one job to another, from a furniture factory and manual labor to a kindergarten bus driver, a delivery truck driver, and a rental car driver, Deacon Han never lost his resolve or aspiration but always told himself, "I'll do my best. Whatever it takes, I will give glory to my Father God!"
Then one night, Deacon Han had a dream. It was a dream in which Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee told him, "Deacon Han! It would be nice if you became charge in other parts of South Korea!" and gave him a hug. As the part of his job included traveling to various parts of the country and obtaining results by meeting with clients, Deacon Han took this dream to his heart and always kept it in mind.
On his way from Jeonju to Kwangju one September day in 2003 in the midst of his busy schedule, Deacon Han was involved in a car accident in which he failed to see a large truck in front of him, rammed into the truck, and had his car overturned.
"When I got out of the car, I checked myself from head to toe. The moment I realized I hadn't gotten hurt anywhere, tears streamed down my cheeks."
He began praying to God, wondering why he could not have been protected. Deacon Han had served as united mission leader of the Young Adults Mission but at the 2003 General Assembly, he did not pray out of his arrogance and was not entrusted with any duties at church. This is why Deacon Han had felt afflicted in the heart. He thoroughly rent his heart in repentance of having been rude to other members of the Young Adults Mission while he was united mission leader and negligent of praise services because of his busy schedule.
"I always tried on the walk on the right path in gratitude. I wanted to spare a dollar so that I could offer it to God or use it to give relief to the poor. Also, as I always carried the handkerchief on which Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee had prayed (Acts 19:11-12) to meetings with a client, I could strike any deals."
As he became renewed, by 2004 he had an annual salary of about US$150,000 and out of some 120 employees, Deacon Han was ranked "Top 5" each month in terms of sales. Recognized for his performance, he was appointed to the position of "Central Manager." However, when the president wanted Deacon Han to work on Sundays, he decided to quit.
While praying for a new job, in August 2005, Deacon Han began working at Urim Insu, headed by Elder Gyu-dong Lee of Manmin Joong-ang Church.
"I wanted to be of strength to the church and the shepherd. I prayed fervently and, in trusting in God who recompenses according to our deeds, I gave Him offerings whenever I could. My tithes gradually increased and as of June of this year, I offer God about $2,200 a month."
For Deacon Han makes ceaseless efforts to reveal God's glory regardless of time and space, he is receiving God's wondrous blessings. Deacon Han's faith in God was truly beautiful.
Reported by Joseph Park
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Manmin News 
