Manmin Central Church has spread God the Creator and Jesus Christ, striving to lead all peoples of all nations to salvation with approximately 10,000 branch and associate churches. Let's now hear from Pastor Seungkil Ryu, Chairman of United Holiness Church of Jesus Christ, Japan. We will hear about the works of the Holy Spirit in Iida Manmin Church which served as the foundation stone of the Japanese mission.



Japanese ministry: Japanese branch and associate churches have led countless souls to the way of salvation with the holiness gospel and powerful works


In 1994, the first branch church was established in Japan

I was an ordinary man who worked for a company. One day I was preparing to go on a vacation. Then I heard a voice saying, "Go up to the mountain prayer house with only a Bible." I obeyed and went to the mountain prayer. I fasted and repented that I had not led a proper Christian life.

In 1988, I entered theological seminary. I was guided by my friend in seminary to Manmin Central Church. It was a Friday All-night Service and it was full of the Holy Spirit. In particular, Dr. Jaerock Lee's lecture on Job was like spiritual 'pick-me-up'. In July 1988, I registered in the church and two years later I became a pastor.

In 1992, Korea-Japan United Crusade was held by the church. Japanese pastors who learned the holiness gospel continued to ask the church to dispatch a missionary to their country. So, in January 1994, I was commissioned to serve in Japan and I started the church in Iida, Nagano Prefecture. I began preaching the holiness gospel.


Iida, Shinshu, Nagoya crusades sparked off the Japanese ministry

Dr. Lee was invited to Iida United Crusade in 1994 and Shinshu United Crusade in 1996. Those crusades resulted in the holiness gospel being spread throughout Japan. The blind came to see, the deaf to hear, some people's bent legs or arms were straightened and they came to walk and jump. People witnessed the amazing works of God's power with their own eyes.

In particular, during the Nagoya Healing Crusade 2000, seven out of thirteen deaf people who were there came to hear and speak. Additionally, countless evidences of the living God accelerated the ministry of Japan.

Japanese pastors were amazed and were blessed seeing the works of God's power and the crusades are still influencing the churches' growth in Japan.


The handkerchief prayer opened a new phase to the ministry

But from a certain moment I felt spiritually limited and the church's growth stagnated. I was praying for this. In August 2004 Rev. Heesun Lee, Manmin World Guidance Pastor, traveled across Japan with a handkerchief crusade trip and presented a new vision of Japanese ministry. We witnessed innumerable believers healed of their diseases through the handkerchief Dr. Lee had prayed on.

In December 2004, Dr. Lee told me to make good use of the handkerchief with faith. I soon held the first handkerchief crusade in Iida Manmin Church. Many members with chronic backache, nocturnal enuresis, and other diseases were healed and I gained spiritual confidence.

From 2005, I started to conduct the handkerchief healing crusade every month. The church members repented thoroughly and received solutions to their problems both in spirit and body that included the healing of diseases. The new comers learned about the spiritual realm and received grace leading to salvation. The believers with weak faith came to have true faith and hope for Heaven. The leaders received grace to run more fervently.

The handkerchief crusade became absolutely necessary in the church members' spiritual growth and the church's revival.


Japanese people experienced God's powerful works

Dr. Lee's prayer for the sick in the service and his prayer recorded on Automated Response System together with the handkerchief have played a major role in the Japanese ministry.

Deaconess Kaneda Shizuko was healed of cold feet and hands, Deaconess Kitahara Akiko, asthma and atopic dermatitis, and Deaconess Hara Chie, was healed of frozen shoulder. Matsushima Daiki was born under the danger of miscarriage through Dr. Lee's ARS prayer. He was also healed of atopic dermatitis through Dr. Lee's prayer through GCN.

Additionally, Shimodaira Miyako was healed of cataracts and frostbite. There are just too many testimonies for me to introduce here.


I laid myself down before the shepherd's sacrifice and devotion

Iida Manmin Church joins every service and Daniel Prayer Meeting of Manmin Central Church via GCN live broadcasting. We hold pastors' seminars and conduct IT ministry. We also spread the gospel to Japanese who do not know about Christianity through community volunteer works.

I thought that I had done many things in the Japanese ministry. Without knowing, I kept selfish-motives in my heart. However, while watching the shepherd sacrifice everything without wanting anything in return, I started to discover and get rid of my arrogance and selfish-motives. I came to realize that everything had been done by the grace of the shepherd, not me. This change of thought served as a chance for me to achieve the heart of spirit.

As I cast off selfish-motive and arrogance, Japanese pastors started to be united. I hope that we will serve as a foundation for Manmin's global parish. I give all thanks and glory to God who endured and waited for me to become renewed.





Middle: Iida Manmin Church, from left clockwise; testimony givers in Nagoya Healing Crusade; a circular rainbow in the sky over Iida Manmin Church; Shinshu United Crusade; Iida Manmin Church Anniversary Service; the worship service through GCN; and the church's students giving performance in outdoor services