Tributes to “General of God” David Yonggi Cho, Founder of the Greatest Church in the World
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The co-founder of the world’s largest church is remembered as a giant of faith and “the general of God” after his death on Tuesday at the age of 85.
Tributes were paid on social media to David Yonggi Cho, who founded Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea with his mother-in-law in 1958.
At its peak, the church claimed to have over 800,000 members.
Cho resigned from the leadership of the mega-church in 2008, but his presence continued to be felt as he retained the title of Pastor Emeritus.
Known for his engaging preaching, he died Tuesday morning after being treated for a brain hemorrhage since July 2020.
In a moving tribute, the church remembered its co-founder as a key figure in the Christian landscape who brought hope to the country after the ravages of the Korean War.
“He brought the gospel of hope to the Korean people who fell into despair after the Korean War,” the church said.
“He was instrumental in the growth of the Korean church, especially the development of Yoido Full Gospel Church as the largest church in the world.”
Although he rose to dazzling heights, Cho’s beginnings were humble, having struggled financially as a child following his father’s bankruptcy.
Even his fate as a Christian pastor was not fixed because Cho was born into a Buddhist family. It was only because of a Christian friend of his sister’s telling her about Jesus that he came to faith.
Although his early years were not privileged, he was intelligent and learned English after befriending soldiers at a US Army base near his school.
His fluency in English was instrumental in developing his faith as he continued to serve as an interpreter for Assemblies of God missionary Kenneth Tize.
Following this, he felt the call to become a pastor and in 1956, at the age of 20, he enrolled in the Full Gospel Theological Seminary of the Assembly of God.
His ministry also had humble beginnings, starting not in a mega-church but in a simple tent in Seoul.
He detailed his journey of faith in one of his most popular books, âThe Fourth Dimension,â in which he attributed his fruitfulness in ministry to answered prayer.
Billy Wilson, president of Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, was among those who remembered Cho.
“I am sorry to hear of the passing of Dr David Yonggi Cho, one of the great leaders of the Spirit-Empowered movement,” he said.
“His ministry, his writings and his authorship have blessed millions of people. Dr. Cho’s legacy and impact will continue for many generations.”
Godman Akinlabi, senior pastor of Elevation Church in Nigeria, called Cho “the general of God”.
“He lived a life of service and sacrifice for the gospel of Christ. He is the gain of heaven.”
Reverend Dominic Yeo, senior pastor of the Trinity Christian Center in Singapore, said Cho’s impact has reached many Christians around the world.
âToday we celebrate the return home of Rev. Dr. Cho Yonggi, a great man of God and faithful servant of the Lord whose burden was to see revival come in the nations,â he said.
âHe was a servant, a prophet and an extraordinary messenger of God who lived an abundant life.
âHe planted one of the world’s largest apostolic churches in South Korea in 1958. Yoido Full Gospel Church has grown exponentially to impact many churches and ministries around the world.
âI had the privilege of meeting Dr. Rev. Cho and was touched by his gentle yet strong leadership approach to guiding churches and training his flock.
âHe was truly one of the greatest leaders and preachers in the history of the church, bringing the gospel to the discouraged, downcast and lost. As the world has lost this mighty man of God, heaven rejoices of the return of a saint. “
Cho was married to Kim Sung Hae from 1965 until his death earlier this year on February 11. He is survived by his three sons. His funeral will take place on Saturday.
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