Missionary Jaewon Lee (Chiang Rai Manmin Church in Thailand)



I was born and raised in a Buddhist temple by my father who was a Buddhist monk and my mother who was a Buddhist. I am their first son, but now I am preaching the gospel of Christianity in Thailand, a Buddhist country, with my family.

The conversion to Christianity in Buddhist country means social disadvantage. Nevertheless, we have testified to the living God with the power of the Holy Spirit and borne a lot of fruit through our active ministry. All of these are possible because of the grace of the Lord.

Around 20 years ago, I was leading an ordinary life after the failure of Thai mission work. But after I came to know Manmin Central Church, my life began to change. In 1998, I was healed of my chronic herniated lumbar disc and my wife of postpartum pain by Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer.

I got excited about leading a Christian life learning about the difficult Bible passages explained by Dr. Lee. He gave a detailed explanation on Heaven, and showed the living God with sings, wonders, and powerful works that followed. The excitement triggered enthusiasm in me for Thai mission work.

In November, 2009, I left for Thailand as a Manmin missionary. At that time, many Thai people already knew Manmin Central Church and Dr. Lee through GCN TV. There were also more than ten volumes of Dr. Lee's books available in the Thai language, so it was a lot easier to do missionary work. I visited churches and presented the DVD entitled "Power of God" and prayed for them. I also sent Manmin News in Thai to around 2,500 churches in Thailand. Consequently, a number of pastors started to make contact with me.

In May of 2011, we hosted a Special Consolation Meeting in the Thai Youth Detention Centers with Manmin Central Church's mission team. The meeting attracted their attention and we gained the opportunity to hold meetings at the Royal Military Academy and other Youth Detention Centers in March in 2012. At that time we were able to preach the gospel to officials in relatively high positions as well as boosting Korean prestige through the mission team's performances and the presentations of the "Power of God" DVD.

Currently, there are around 130 branch and associative churches in Thailand. Thailand is like an advance basis in evangelizing Indochina peninsula that includes Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. I am planning to conduct Pastors' Seminars in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar in the second half of this year. We give all thanks and glory to God.


"I Want to Awaken Young People by Using Korean Wave in Thailand"

Missionary Jaewon Lee's first son - Brother Sunghoon Lee (aged 19)


When I was younger, I kept reading around 20 books about famous missionaries like Underwood and Sundar Singh. As a result I could joyfully go to Thailand with my parents. Three months after I arrived in Thailand, we opened the church, but there were no musicians or instrument players. So I started to learn how to play the guitar and came to like it by the grace of the Lord. Now my skill has improved to the point that I can even play a bass guitar.

Chiang Rai Manmin Church is evangelizing college students by opening lectures on Korean language. I also help my mom, Missionary Soonok Lee to teach students Korean. It's very rewarding work because they naturally accepted the gospel and have become church workers. I want to awaken many young people using their curiosity for Korean culture.


"God helped me when I did my best"

The second son - Brother Sunghyun Lee (aged 16)


From my early childhood, I dreamed of mission work, so I went to Thailand with joy. I play keyboards in Chiang Rai Manmin Church. At first, I learned playing it an hour per week for two months, but after that I couldn't learn it for some reason. I studied it on my own. I really wanted to give glory to God by learning it as quickly as possible but it wasn't that easy. I used not to get up very early in the morning, but I got up as early as dawn to practice it and I practiced after school. I also asked for God's help with fasting. As a result, I came to play hymn songs after three months of practicing.

Our church members were moved by me and they repented with tears saying they hadn't devoted themselves enough to God's work and would work even more. I was so surprised and thankful thinking my small service could change the members.


"I am excited because I can help many things"

The youngest son - Sungkyul Lee (aged 14)


I am still a young boy, but I have a lot of things to do in Thailand. I serve God as a teacher for Children's Sunday School and a cook helper in the church restaurant. I also decorate the sanctuary and evangelize people. I also now play drums for the praise team after having learned it on my own. I sometimes help my mom teach Korean. While trying my best every day, my ability to speak both Thai and English has been greatly improved.

Around two months ago, I got more than 20 corns on the soles of my feet. I had pain and discomfort, but I experienced an amazing work. After applying Muan Sweet Water, all of them were gone overnight. I think God was delighted in me who did my best even with small things for the kingdom of God.