David Yonggi Cho was born in Ulju County, South Korea, on February 14, 1936, into a Buddhist family. As a young man, he faced a dire crisis when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of 17. Doctors gave him only a few months to live. Despite praying to Buddha, his condition continued to deteriorate. In desperation, Cho cried out, 'God, I want to live! Please help me!' He yearned for a tangible connection with a God who could intervene in his life.
Discovering Jesus Through Scripture
During this time, a Christian high school girl reached out to him, sharing the message of Jesus. Though resistant at first, her persistence and compassion touched him deeply. Cho eventually accepted a Bible from her, and she encouraged him, saying, 'If you read it faithfully you will find the words of life.' He delved into the Gospels and found himself overwhelmed by a vision of Jesus. In his own words, 'So one day I knelt down by myself and I didn't know how to pray. So I said, "Mr. Jesus, if you are truly the son of God why don't you prove on me..."'
Tuberculosis Healing Testimony Unfolds
Miraculously, Cho experienced healing. His tuberculosis vanished, and his heart returned to normal. Filled with gratitude, he dedicated his life to Jesus, declaring, 'Christ healed me and he finished completely.' This moment marked a profound transformation for Cho, setting him on a path that would lead to the founding of Yoido Full Gospel Church.
Building a Global Ministry
After graduating from Bible college in 1958, Cho began his ministry with Choi Ja-shil, starting a church in her living room with just five people. Through prayer, evangelism, and a deep reliance on the Holy Spirit, the church grew rapidly. By 1964, it had 3,000 members, and in 1973, it moved to a new location on Yoido Island. Under Cho's leadership, it became the world's largest congregation, boasting around 830,000 members by 2007.
Cho emphasized the importance of cell groups and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He once confessed, 'Dear Holy Spirit you have been with me all these years since I was converted... Today I confess my sin and misunderstanding about you from today you are my senior pastor.' His profound relationship with the Holy Spirit fueled the church's extraordinary growth and global influence.
Through his ministry, Cho demonstrated compassion and a commitment to serving those in need, establishing welfare programs to aid the elderly, young, homeless, and unemployed. His life and work stand as a testimony to the transformative power of Jesus and the vital role of the Holy Spirit in fulfilling God's purposes.