2017.12.17_Amen, Glory to God

Beloved Sungrak people, I love you very much. I thank you for the sincerest love and cooperation you have shown for the Church and the overseer.

Last Lord’s Day, our church held its first historical Church Congregational Meeting. According to the conditions for membership for the Congregational Meeting, 4,835 full members participated excluding those under 18 years of age, associate members and abstentions. The Congregational Assembly ended with a festive atmosphere. This was made possible by the unification of everyone’s faith and our love for the church and for the overseer, with one heart and will.

Unfortunately, the year 2017 was a year of enormous pain, shock, and anguish for our church which will never be forgotten in its history. Fortunately, we persevered and endured with the glorious faith given by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus who said, “Peace be with you”. We have clearly witnessed with our eyes the natural phenomenon of when a cold wind blew in a green forest, the green foliage turned to autumn tints, finally falling off as dead leaves.

We must never again have such a situation marked by a lack of responsibility, where people show no concern even if the church is collapsing and the members’ souls are greatly troubled. It is not just anyone what becomes a spiritual leader. Becoming a spiritual leader involves much more than a strong will and ambition. It requires as much prayer, inspiration, a sense of calling and love for the church, and furthermore, God has to be with him.

The Bible says that ‘the sheep recognize and listen to the shepherd’s voice’. I am your shepherd. You must listen to my voice in order for your souls and your families’ souls to have peace. Wolves have come in among the flock that were peaceful and scattered the sheep. Where are they now and with what are they feeding their souls? It tears my heart when I think about how they would be lost and wandering like the prodigal son who left his home.

If this did not happen, we would have, together with our families and all the other souls, shared the joy and glory of Christmas this year. It is very sad and regretful. But my heart is open, and our church has our arms wide open, earnestly waiting for the souls who have left home to return. In the same way that we become teary when we become homesick, I can understand the hearts of those wandering stars. Therefore, please be relieved. I sincerely hope that you would come back to your original place.

And to the saints that have remained in the church, let us get ready to warmly welcome the souls who are shivering outside in the cold. Just as the sprout comes out, and after that, the stem, then the leaves, the flower, and then the fruit, better things must come to us in the future. Tribulations like that which we have suffered this year must never happen again. Only with more prayer and greater efforts to gather together can heal all these problems.

In the New Year, let us rebuild Sungrak Church as a church that pleases God with our souls full of joy. The branch that has been torn by the typhoon must be replaced by a new shoot.