08/11/2026
SAVE OUR PASTOR MOVEMENT
One day a problem arose about the land we planned to build on. The Korean government was developing Yoido Island, modeled after New York’s Manhattan, and would allow only one church there. Applications poured in from every major denomination. When I submitted ours for the Assemblies of God, the official looked at me and said, “You mean that noisy church that shouts praises, prays for the sick, and speaks in tongues? This church will stand right in front of the new Congress Hall. It must be dignified. We cannot accept your application.”
I was secretly relieved. I returned to prayer: “Lord, You heard that—we are not dignified enough.” But the Holy Spirit answered, “When did I ask you to apply for a building permit? You must walk the way of prayer and faith.”
I began to fast and pray. The Spirit led me to the city’s vice mayor, who was in charge of the entire development. I discovered his mother was a Presbyterian. I visited her, prayed with her, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit and began attending our church. Through her we reached her daughter-in-law, who was also saved and Spirit-filled. Then the daughter-in-law brought her husband—the vice mayor himself. After one powerful sermon he gave his heart to the Lord.
The next Sunday he walked into my office and said, “Pastor, I am in charge of Yoido. I wish we could bring our church there.” My heart wanted to shout yes, but the Holy Spirit held me back. I told him it was impossible—too expensive, and we were considered undignified. He smiled and said, “Pray for one week. Then give me your answer. I can take care of everything.”
After a week of prayer he returned and offered the choicest land, all the paperwork, and credit from the city government. This time the Spirit said, “SHOUT!” I accepted. God had kept me from saying yes for one week, and as a result we received the land and were spared the paperwork. The vice mayor later became one of our leading elders.
Then the trials began. The dollar devalued. The contractor broke the contract and raised the price. The oil crisis hit. Banks closed. People lost jobs. I could not even pay the interest on the loans, let alone staff salaries. Lawsuits piled up. Workers left. My family and I moved into an unfinished seventh-floor apartment with no heat, no water, and almost no food. I hit rock bottom. I began to doubt everything—the voices, the faith, the whole journey. One night I decided to end it all.
As I prayed in despair, a voice spoke: “You are a coward. If you throw yourself down, you will not only go to hell—you will drag many with you. The elders and sisters who lent you money put their trust in you. Your su***de will destroy their faith and break their homes.”
Broken, I cried, “Then what can I do?” God answered, “You cannot die. You must persevere until every debt is paid.”
News of my desperation spread. Suddenly a “Save Our Pastor” movement was born. In the freezing unfinished church, thousands gathered, fasting and praying night after night: “Save the man of God!” Women cut their hair to sell for wigs. An eighty-year-old widow with nothing brought her only rice bowl, chopsticks, and spoon. A businessman bought them for nearly $30,000. People sold their houses and moved into tiny apartments. Young couples gave their entire year’s salary.
Money began to flow. In less than a year every debt was cleared and the church and apartment complex were finished. God proved once again that the school of Andrew—thinking in terms of miracles—is the way of faith.
Your faith will be tested. A small project brings small trials; a great vision brings great ones. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and the disciples all endured long seasons of hardship. Do not be discouraged after a few weeks or months of difficulty. God is strengthening your backbone. Stand on His Word, keep walking in faith, and He will never let you down.
— Dr. David Yonggi Cho (The Fourth Dimension)
- Spiritual Notes
