My father is a Buddhist monk and my mother is Bodhisattva. But I have been born again by God's grace.
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April 13, 2008 |
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 ~ Deacon Jae-Won Lee
(Representative, Good Morning Internet Travel; 2-15 Mission)
I was born at a well-known Buddhist temple in Jeolla Province. My father is a Chief Priest and my mother is Bodhisattva. In my childhood, my daily routines consisted of assisting with the Buddha worship sessions with other Buddhist services. As the eldest son, my father wanted me to become a Buddhist monk. Even when I was young and could not comprehend all the doctrines, I was very familiar with Buddhist culture.
In 1980, I was assigned to a "mission (Christian) school." Waiting for me were weekly services and classes on the Bible. I had to attend those services and classes because the attendance was taken but to me, all the other students clapping praise songs looked like aliens. As time passed, I felt I was committing a grave sin even by sitting in those services and classes.
Then something truly unexpected took place. Like a saying, "Even a drizzle can soak clothing," the more I heard about the Bible, the more it warmed my heart. I had always been disappointed to find such blessings and superstitious acts as people coming to see fortunetellers at the temple or the selling of charms.
'When we were all sinners, Jesus took upon the cross to forgive our sins. Where else can I find greater love if I can be saved and enter heaven because of that blood?'
The message of love and forgiveness resonated in my heart and I have begun to find peace and rest from the word of God.
During the second year in high school, I was led to church for the first time by a friend with whom I was living. In gratitude of the love of Jesus' cross, I soon became a leader of the Evangelization Department. Whenever I shared the gospel with others, I felt as though inexplicable energy was filling within me, and only those who have shared the gospel with strangers will know how I felt.
When my father found out that his son, who had always been good and obedient since childhood, became a leader of the Evangelization Department at a church, he was speechless. He became stricter but despite his severe opposition, I made even a greater effort to share the gospel with my friends.
After moving to Seoul and entering Hanyang University, I joined a College Mission Organization in which I immersed myself in disciple training and Bible studies. Following graduation, I met my future wife Deaconess Soon-Ok Lee, who had been working as a manager at the Mission Organization and now harbored a dream of medical mission.
Following the wedding, we left for Thailand on a mission trip. My shortcomings and disappointment in coworkers drove me back home in 3 years. After returning to a normal life, I began working. There were multiple difficulties, however: the worsening of herniated disc made my everyday life extremely difficult. I had undergone numerous physical therapy sessions at the hospital, specializing in herniated disc cases, at which my wife worked, but they only showed marginal improvements.
Perhaps the most difficult part of my struggle was my stagnant faith. I had gained much faith only as knowledge from the many hours of Bible study but I had not experienced the Holy Spirit and the transformation was slow in coming.
In December 1997, I became a guide on an overseas trip by Daehan Invest Trust Management Corporation's Training Team. One of the members of the team introduced me to his church, Manmin Central Church, as a congregation at which messages of life were proclaimed and fiery works of God's healing took place. My wife and I had been attending a different church but out of curiosity, we attended a Friday All-night Service. On the second day we worshipped at Manmin, my wife immediately received God's healing of the childbearing aftereffects by Senior Pastor's prayer for the sick from the pulpit.
As for me, during "The 6th Two-week Special Revival Meeting" the following May, I was healed of herniated disc, the inveterate disease from which I had long suffered. It was not easy to get used to the works of the Holy Spirit of which I had never even heard before, but I was soon melted by the Senior Pastor's manifestations of God's power and the messages of truth.
I had spent a great deal of time in Bible study sessions but I had never had a session that dealt with "The Reason God Placed the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil," "The True Significance of the 6,000-year Cultivation of Mankind," or "The Measure of Faith." I felt as though the windpipe of my spirit struck open. My life in Christ was vitalized as I witnessed and experienced firsthand the countless Biblical signs and wonders. I also strove to study the word anywhere and anytime so that I could make whole bread of it in my heart, instead of merely receiving grace from it.
It is a great joy for me to serve as a sub-district leader and financial director of the College Mission to work with those with less faith and with students. At home, at work, and everywhere else, God's word is a lamp in my path.
I have been reborn by God's grace. I am so grateful to accomplish the dream of mission work by assisting with the ministry of the Senior Pastor who not only lives by the message of true salvation but also affirms the word with accompanying signs (Mark 16:20).
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Manmin News 
