THE KUKMIN DAILY

“Today’s Yoido Full Gospel Church is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, not the fruit of humans.” The speaker, a pastor in his eighties who is honored worldwide as an evangelist, reflected on the past 60 years and confessed that the church’s revival did not happen as a result of his own efforts but was entirely the work of the Holy Spirit. The sanctuary rang with this fresh confession by Pastor Emeritus Cho Yong-gi, who has shouted out his absolute affirmation and hope in the “Good God” and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, from the time he started Full Gospel Church as a tent church on May 18, 1958 in Daejo-dog, Seoul, until his body became weak from neglect.

From May 16, the Yoido Full Gospel Church is holding a large-scale event over two nights and three days at its capacious Yoido sanctuary, starting with a worship service of thanks in commemoration of its 60th anniversary and a “vision proclamation” ceremony (photo). The more than 10,000 participants comprised 1,500 CGI (Church Growth International) leaders from 27 countries including the USA, Germany, Australia and the Philippines; 4,000 some Christian leaders from countries in the Chinese sphere including Taiwan and Singapore; 670 some missionaries from 61 countries, and others.



*Rev. Cho Yong-gi (left) with Rev. Kim Billy Jang-hwan (Chairperson, Far East Broadcasting Company)

As Rev. Cho stepped up on the platform, his 10,000 followers rose together and applauded for a full 20 seconds to express their love. Greeting them with the words “Beloved, just as it is good with your soul,” Rev. Cho explained that his lifelong ministry is in the Threefold Blessing “I pray that all may go well with you, and that you may be in good health” (3 John 1:2). “For the past 60 years, as a servant of the Holy Spirit, Yoido Full Gospel Church has devoted all its strength to the saving of souls,” Cho said. He challenged, “Do not forget that today also, God is working through all of you.”



Reporters Paek Sang-hyun, A-young Kim, Shim Wusam, & Hwang Yuntae (100sh@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok


Full Story in Korean:
“여의도순복음교회는 사람의 열매 아닌 성령의 열매”: 여의도순복음교회 60주년 감사예배·비전선포식