"I Am So Happy to Devote Myself to Souls' Salvation"
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October 16, 2016 |
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Pastor Deborah Jiyoung Lee, age 45, Overseas Parish Pastor, Manmin Central Church
When I was young, I was introverted and had a lot of thoughts. I would think about what a person must live for. During my time in college, I devoured books related to philosophy and religion. I admired some ideologies such as socialism and humanism. However, nothing gave me the answer to my questions.
One day, my college friend guided me to a church and I started to attend the church expecting I could get the answer. I received the Holy Spirit during the church's retreat and came to hope to live for the Lord earnestly.
After graduation, I was designated as an administrator of a campus mission organization. From early morning, I knelt down on the floor of the classroom and prayed asking to send souls. But there was no revival and people did not change. I rather lost joy because of the conflicts caused by judgment, condemnation, jealousy, and hatred in my heart although I seemed to work earnestly on the outside. I even felt guilty about teaching the Word to others.
I hung on to God by offering up fasting and prayer. I shed many tears in frustration and spiritual thirst. Meantime, in 1997, I accidently happened to read Manmin Central Church's weekly bulletin. Many questions that I had for a long time were clearly answered there. When I read the sentence "Sinlessness is a source of power in the spiritual realm", I felt a thrill all over my body and became excited about it.
"Wow! Here is the truth that I've been looking for!"
I hurriedly visited Manmin Central Church and bought all kinds of sermon tapes of Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee. I listened to "The Message of the Cross," "Spirit, Soul, and Body," "Lectures on Job," and "Lectures on Genesis". I found them sweet as honey dripping from the comb. I was sure it was the answer to my prayer. In July 1998, I registered in the church with joy of finding the word of life. As I worked faithfully, I was given many duties. I started to attend the Alliance Holiness Theological Seminary with vision for a mission, and in 2002 I became a pastor.
After December 25, 2010, in the rapid spiritual flow, I looked back upon my past. I thought I was working faithfully, but I was lazy in circumcising of my heart. I found that I had been earnest in my own way. I began relying on the Holy Spirit to cast off my sinful nature. From then, sinful attributes began falling off from me and peace and joy came into the depth of my heart.
In December 2015, I was blessed to achieve the heart of spirit. For the past two years I have taken care of foreign members living in Korea as the Overseas Parish Pastor. It was amazing to feel the shepherd's love comfort the members transcending the differences of languages and cultures (Photo).
The Senior Pastor appeared to a member in her dreams. He visited her hometown, took care of her family members, and prayed for the family. Many members have received the solutions to their problems through the Senior Pastor's prayer and it increased their faith.
Something impossible has been made possible, and possible things made even better in their lives. They have evangelized other people, and we have been feeling happier and happier over time. Hallelujah!
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Manmin News 
