Deacon Hyuntae Kim
(Eastern Kwangju Manmin Church, Choi- Autumn Hairdresser's Shop)

My elder brother said to me, "Hyuntae! There are places called Heaven and Hell really exist. Just seeing the various signs and wonders manifested through Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee, we can know God is really alive."
I had already thought that there is a maker who created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, but when my elder brother preached the gospel to me with such full assurance, I went to attend Eastern Kwangju Manmin Church in September of 2007 to see for myself.
Dr. Jaerock Lee's message was so touching to me. He sometimes smiled and sometimes wept at the illustrations of goodness and testimonies of the believers. This allowed for me to feel his truthfulness, love and goodness. From that time on I enjoyed listening to his messages. When he said "Not everyone who calls, 'Lord, Lord' can enter the kingdom of Heaven" and described about Hell, I was really sobered up! I came to realize that only those who do the will of God can enter the kingdom of Heaven.
I have tried ever since to live by the Word of God, including paying the whole tithe with joy from the first month of my church attendance. At first and for about 7 months I attended only Sunday morning service and opened my hairdressers' shop that was located in the downtown section of the Kwangju City. I did it because I didn't have the exact knowledge of what it meant to keep the Lord's Day holy. Shortly after I learned it, I closed the shop on Sundays. The income I received didn't decrease and it caused my faith to grow.
My hairdresser's shop is so well known that we have many renowned clients including announcers, reporters, PD's, and writers from KBS (Korea Broadcasting System) and MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation). Three years ago I was chosen as the best hairdresser in the Kwangju City by MBC. In February of 2009, my shop was always crowded with many more clients and I moved the shop into the area of Kwangsan-Gu in the Kwangju City.
Many people around me thought that my choice of moving my shop into the area far away from the downtown area was a mistake. But by the prayer of Dr. Jaerock Lee and loving concerns of Eastern Kwangju Manmin Church, I opened a new shop with faith and named it 'Choi-Autumn Hairdresser's." On that day a circular rainbow appeared on the sky. My heart overflowed with joy and gratitude at having seen the rainbow of God's covenant. I frequently recall the rainbow and run the shop with thanksgiving.
I believed the shop would prosper with the presence of God, and led a fervent life in faith. As soon as I closed the shop late at night, I ran to the church to attend Daniel Prayer Meeting even if it was almost the closing time. I prayed fervently and asked God to allow me the better job condition in which I would be able to lead a better believing life.
When special church events were held at Manmin Central Church in Seoul, I participated in the events. I received the prayer from Dr. Jaerock Lee and gave some offerings. He prayed for me saying, "Let him receive wisdom and understanding. Let his skill improve." At his prayer my heart was full of hope and I rejoiced.
Every morning when I start my day I receive Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer for the start of the day. I try my best to apply the Word of God I've learned to my business and to serve clients with goodness and love. I often recite the Scriptures at our 12 staff member meetings. So, they say I am like a pastor.
I am always on the alert to be humble before God. I always endeavor to serve clients from the heart rather than hypocritical etiquette. I urge my staff to do the same. We are providing clients with coffee and tea free by installing a vending machine in the shop. We prepare pretty paper cups to treat clients better, and do our best to provide them with the most beautiful styles. Since we are trying to serve them measuring their hearts, we can understand their desires just by their facial appearances.
Thus, I have kept the Lord's Day holy, paid the whole tithe, prayed without ceasing, and practiced the Word of God I learned. As a result, we have even more clients than any other shop has. The number of regular clients has increased and the income is two or three times more than when I ran the shop downtown. We have just done our best for clients. As a result my shop is nicknamed 'the best hairdresser's shop with beautiful and kind staff and fragrant coffee.'
I give all thanks and glory to God who has led me to joyful life of faith and blessed my business.