David Yonggi Cho's life and ministry stand as a powerful testimony of God's intervention and transformative power. Born in Ulju County, Korea, on February 14, 1936, Cho was raised in a Buddhist family. His early life was marked by financial difficulties, especially after his father's business failed. At the age of 17, Cho faced a dire diagnosis of tuberculosis, a turning point that would change his life forever.
Desperate Prayer for Tuberculosis Healing
In the midst of despair, a Christian girl visited Cho, sharing the story of Jesus. Desperate and feeling abandoned by his Buddhist beliefs, Cho prayed to Jesus for healing: 'Mr. Jesus, if you are truly the Son of God, why don't you prove it to me? I'm a young man, 17 years old, too young to die.' This prayer marked the beginning of a profound transformation. Cho experienced a miraculous healing, feeling a warm sensation of peace and joy throughout his body. This miracle led to his conversion to Christianity.
Building Ministry from Humble Beginnings
Following his healing, Cho committed his life to ministry, initially working with American evangelist Ken Tize. He pursued theological training at Full Gospel Bible College in Seoul and, in 1958, founded the Yoido Full Gospel Church with Choi Ja-shil in a modest living room in Seoul. Despite humble beginnings, the church experienced rapid growth through door-to-door evangelism and prayer for the sick.
Growing the World's Largest Church
Cho's innovative approach to ministry, particularly his emphasis on cell groups, allowed the church to flourish. By 1964, the congregation had grown to 3,000 members. His method of dividing the church into small groups, inspired by biblical passages, played a key role in managing the demands of a growing congregation. This strategy led the church to become the largest in the world, with 830,000 members by 2007.
Throughout his ministry, Cho attributed the church's growth to God's intervention and the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit. He once remarked, 'Always church growth started in my own... and God intervened. And many miracles after miracles occurred in my pioneer work.' His legacy continues to inspire pastors and church leaders globally, even after his passing on September 14, 2021.
