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"The more I humble myself and serve others, the happier I become!": That is my motto.
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August 27, 2007 |
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 ~ Deacon Chang-moon Kang
(Executive Director, Cheonan Branch, DasaTech; 16-2 Parish, 2-2 Men's Mission)
Caption: He used to be the kind of husband who'd accompany his wife to church but after seeing the images of heaven and hell during a Daniel Prayer Meeting, Deacon Kang has become a caring spouse who would gladly do house chores for his wife busy with God's work and a man walking on the path of righteousness. Deacon Kang has brought back his family to the arms of the Lord and received financial blessings as well as a promotion.
People often say to me, "You seem a good-hearted and honest person," or "You must be such a good husband to your wife." I guess I look different now. I used to be harsh in dealing with people before but I think I hear such comments nowadays because I make every effort to respect others and seek their interests first.
My wife Deaconess Mi-ja Choi and I joined Manmin Joong-ang Church in 1996 after having been led to it by my sister-in-law and I didn't mind going to church for the sake of peace at home. I still preferred to smoke and drink and I indulged myself in worldly things. This was before I experienced God's grace that turned my life upside down.
In December 1999, the company at which I'd been working opened a new branch and I became manager. With a sense of grave responsibility, I received Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer. I went before him with a heart filled half with jealousy and the other half with expectation of blessings to come after hearing the testimonies of others, not as a testament of my faith.
After receiving the Senior Pastor's earnest prayer, however, I was deeply touched in the heart. That same evening during "The Daniel Prayer Meeting," I experienced something so marvelous: God showed me heaven and hell. I saw the brilliant light and beautiful roads filled with flowers on either side in heaven, and I also saw the dreary sight and heard nerve-wracking shrieks of beasts here and there in hell. Those images are still vivid in my memory to this day.
From that point on, I began to change. I used to take notes during worship services to see if the messages proclaimed stood to reason. Then starting one day, I found myself beginning to understand the Word and responding with "Amen! Amen!"
At the time, Assistant District Leader Elder Suk-gil Song's family was a role model for me. His passionate love for the souls and the humility between the husband and the wife was truly a beautiful sight. As I tried to take after him, I could feel my body and heart starting to be transformed little by little.
On Sundays, I gave rides to district members so they could attend the services and prayed earnestly for the ones I did not see at church. I also cooked, did the dishes, and helped our two children with their homework when my wife was busy doing God's work as District Leader.
There was no more quarreling at home and as my wife and I began cherishing each other as we had done early in our marriage, my mother started attending church. My relatives say they're jealous of us living such a blissful and joyful life together.
At work, holding workshops during the week became the norm because of me. I made sure I always walked on the path of righteousness, never broke a promise I made, and volunteered to do even the most mundane and trivial of tasks. When I shared the Gospel in this manner with unbelieving coworkers, one by one they returned to Christ.
In July 2005, as the financial situation at my company worsened, the pay was being frozen. I made every effort for the newer employees to receive and sign better contracts but I ended up having my own salary raised and even received a brand new car as a bonus instead.
I attended by faith "The Churchwide Summer Retreat" in August 2006 even though I was a candidate for promotion who should have actually postponed taking his vacation to do additional work. On the third day of the Retreat, however, I received a call, informing me that I had been promoted to the position of Executive Director at the Choenan Branch of DasaTech, Inc. (a manufacturer of industrial robots). Hallelujah!
I give all thanks and glory to God for His will that showed me the true blessings of life and placed me onto the path of blessings, and would also like to express my sincerest gratitude to Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee for nurturing me with his messages so that I could understand that will of God.
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