With the heart of the shepherd, Manmin Central Church's pastors and workers called by God have emptied themselves and filled up their hearts with the Word of God in prayer to give the best things to souls who are more precious than the world. (Photo 1: Dr. Esther Chung, President of MIS, Photo 2: Heavenly Voice Chorus' congratulatory performance, Photo 3: Graduates, Photo 4: Pastor Sangtae Kim, Dean of Alliance Holiness Theological Seminary)


Manmin Central Church has been devoted to fostering pastors and workers to spread the holiness gospel and God's powerful works to souls around the world. On February 13, 2014, Alliance Holiness Theological Seminary and Manmin International Seminary (MIS) had their commencement ceremony.

Dr. Esther Chung, President of MIS preached the message entitled with "A Chosen Instrument of Mine" based on Acts 9:15. She started the message saying, "The young man named Saul was a proud man with a sense of superiority over others. He took a lead role in persecuting believers in the Lord. So why did the Lord choose him as His apostle?" She explained the three reasons.

"First, he cherished his duty more than his own life. That is why he could unsparingly give his life for the gospel's sake. Secondly, he had unwavering faith in any kind of situation or condition. Even when he met with a great storm at the sea and when he was imprisoned, he was sure that his God-given vision would be achieved and he believed it without change of heart and mind. Lastly, he thought about the heart of God and the Lord. When he was even in prison he deeply thought about why God had sent him to such a place, so he didn't run away when the prison fell open. He preached the gospel to the jailer there so he and his family were able to gain salvation."

Dr. Chung also urged the graduates to perform their ministries for the providence at this end time with the heart of the shepherd just as Apostle Paul had worked faithfully until the point of death at the hands of Rome due to the grace of God having chosen him.

The seminary students and freshmen were called by God. From that time on they have been dedicated to arming themselves with the Word and praying to participate in the ministry as pastors. As the Lord's disciples had said in Acts 6:4, "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word," they too are preparing for the future ministry. Even during vacations, they arm themselves with the Word by reading the Bible, memorizing verses, and summarizing the sermons. They share what they need for the ministry and have discussions and presentations.

They have their own prayer meeting, and take turn in leading the meeting. They also pray in Daniel Prayer Meeting and then pray for additional three hours. By doing so, they are trained to communicate with God. This commitment helps them not only have knowledge of the Bible, but also cultivates their hearts with the Word, accomplishes the hearts of spirit, and helps them obey the Word of God unconditionally. This in turn sets a good example for the members.


Interview

"I want to quickly become a powerful pastor so that I can solve problems of people who suffer."

Pastor Soonju Ryu

"In Alliance Holiness Theological Seminary, I learned from lecturers and professors who are outstanding both in spirit and body. I was thankful to them for teaching us with dedication. Above all, Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee gave us financial support including tuition fee and an allowance with money he had saved. He made all our circumstances good for us so that we could become proper pastors by helping us focus on the Word and prayer. At first, I thought, 'Can I keep up with all studies well though I am this old?' But to repay the grace, I just tried to practice the Word without missing even the smallest things. Then, God allowed me to bear precious fruit.

I desire to quickly become a pastor of power who resembles the shepherd and to be able to deliver love and solve problems of the souls who are impoverished, sick, and afflicted."


"I will try unceasingly to become a well-prepared world pastor"

Pastor Soyoung Cho

"The life in the seminary reminded me of heavenly life since students encouraged and led one another. I am a little sorry to have to now leave the school, but I am filled with hope that I will put more devotion into leading souls.

While preparing for conducting our ministries, the other seminary students and I checked one another's posture of prayer and practiced answering questions expected from believers. I also accompanied Great Grand Parish Pastors and Grand Parish Pastors who were counseling the members and I was able to learn a lot.

In particular, through his 30 hours of lectures, Dr. Jaerock Lee, Board Chairman of the seminary taught us many things spiritually in detail that we had never experienced before. His teaching was very helpful for my present ministry.

I will try unceasingly to be prepared in spirit and body as a pastor in the world's best church ministered to by the best Senior Pastor with the greatest power."