The Early Years
David Yonggi Cho was born on February 14, 1936, in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea. He grew up in a poor Buddhist family and suffered from tuberculosis as a teenager. He was told by doctors that he had no hope of recovery and that he would die soon. He became depressed and suicidal, until one day, he met a Christian girl who gave him a Bible and told him about Jesus Christ. She also invited him to a revival meeting where he heard the gospel preached by an American missionary. He decided to accept Jesus as his Savior and Lord, and miraculously, he was healed from his disease. He then felt a calling to become a pastor and preach the gospel to others.
The Ministry
David Yonggi Cho enrolled in Full Gospel Bible College in Seoul, where he met his future wife, Choi Ja-shil. They married in 1956 and had three sons and a daughter. In 1958, he started a tent church with Choi Ja-shil and a few other believers in Seoul. The church grew rapidly as they witnessed many miracles and healings through prayer and faith. They also adopted the cell group system, where small groups of believers met regularly in homes for fellowship, Bible study, and evangelism. This helped them to reach out to more people and nurture their spiritual growth.
In 1973, the church moved to Yoido Island in Seoul, where they built a large auditorium that could seat 12,000 people. The church continued to expand and soon became the largest church in the world. By 1993, it had more than one million members. David Yonggi Cho also founded several ministries and organizations, such as Church Growth International, Elim Welfare Town, Hansei University, Kukmin Daily Newspaper, and Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International. He traveled around the world to preach and teach at conferences and crusades. He also wrote over 50 books, including The Fourth Dimension, Successful Home Cell Groups, The Holy Spirit My Senior Partner, and More Than Numbers.
The Legacy
David Yonggi Cho passed away on September 14, 2021, at the age of 85. He left behind a legacy of faith, love, and service that inspired millions of Christians around the world. He was known for his emphasis on prayer, the Holy Spirit, healing, vision, and church growth. He also demonstrated compassion for the poor and needy through his social welfare projects. He was a mentor and friend to many pastors and leaders who followed his example and learned from his wisdom. He was a humble servant of God who always gave glory to God for everything he accomplished.
More Than Numbers is not only the title of one of his books, but also a summary of his life and ministry. He cared more about people than numbers. He valued each person as a precious soul that God loved and died for. He wanted everyone to experience the grace and power of God in their lives. He was more than a pastor or an author; he was a man of God who changed the world with his faith.
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