The memorial service of Rev. Cho Yong-gi, the founder of the world’s largest church Yoido Full Gospel Church, was held on September 18 in the graveyard of Osanri Choi Jashil Memorial Fasting Prayer Mountain.
"Rev. Cho Yonggi is our role model," said some South Korean pastors who expressed their gratitude and longing for Cho.
Rev. Cho Yong-g died on September 14 at the age of 85, after suffering from a cerebral hemorrhage since last year, according to Yoido Full Gospel Church.
During the service, Pastor Billy Jang Hwan Kim, the former chairman of the Baptist World Alliance and the missionary radio station Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) in Korea, mentioned that Pastor Cho was really a man of prayer. He once asked him, "Why does my church only have more than 20,000 believers, but yours has 800,000?" Rev. Cho replied, "I spend five hours praying every day."
A documentary about Cho’s past life was also shown at the ceremony. The film told that he had established many agencies and ministries with his passion for the gospel and concern for the elderly, the weak, women, and children. He also set up the "Elim Welfare Town" for the homeless and the unemployed, "Good People" which is a non-governmental organization, Kookmin Ilbo Korean Newspaper, and an international missionary ministry "David Cho Evangelical Mission" (DCEM). The film also included a number of mourning videos and letters from pastoral workers in and outside Korea.
His second son said in a speech on behalf of his family, "My father tried his best to preach the gospel for the Lord. I learned a lot from him, who often asked me not to be complacent and regarded serving God as his lifelong work. He recited English words every time in the car; with a sense of mission, he faithfully completed the work entrusted by God." He continued, "As he is back to heaven, we will follow in his footsteps in the future, but I believe we will celebrate together in heaven for our lives glorying God, which was what my father wanted. Although we are sad as we are parted from him, we are also grateful because we know that he has entered the kingdom of heaven, and our brothers and sisters will continue to complete the work he left behind, which is to bring God’s blessings to all parts of the world. I thank those who mourn my father, and I also pray that God’s comfort and peace may come upon you all."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
