Elder Hyunkyu Lee (Calgary Manmin Church in Canada)


My mother's parents including her grandparents believed the Lord. Pastor Kichul Joo officiated my maternal grandfather's wedding. My mother talked about their faith and urged me to live in faith all the time. But I just pursued wealth, honor, glory, and pleasure. I was just a churchgoer.

In 1997 the year of my marriage, I worked for Samsung Semiconductor. The company was confronted with the greatest challenge due to 'IMF Financial Crisis'. In the midst of brutal atmosphere created by inspection and staff reduction, I worked for the company and my survival from early dawn to late at night. I didn't hold to even a form of godliness in my Christian life, and I lost my mind and heart to the worldly success and pleasure.

Afterwards, my company gained stability and I was also personally recognized. I became quite well to do. But I spiritually felt distressed without knowing what caused it. I felt like I must not live like that and everything would be just vanities if I would look back favorably upon them later. I wanted to seek what is of value, but I couldn't.

To be set free from such a life, I decided to move to Canada. In May, 2002, I moved to Calgary and went to church. I attended every kind of services including Dawn Prayer Meeting and volunteered for the church. I led a diligent Christian life. At that time, I was interested in running a motel, so I worked at a job on the front desk.

In the meantime, in 2004, Deacon Chunho Kim (now Pastor Kim) gave me Dr. Jaerock Lee's books Hell and Heaven I & II. He also taught me the website of Manmin Central Church. I listened to Dr. Lee's precious messages of life, which deeply moved my heart and gave grace to me. I realized that I couldn't be saved with the faith I had and that became a turning point for my life. I earnestly desired to see Dr. Lee in person.

In July, 2006, I visited Manmin Central Church in Korea with Deacon Chunho Kim's family. I stayed in Korea for a month, learned many things in the church, and became challenged in faith. I could see the church loved by God and that was pleasing to Him. In particular, during Summer Retreat, I was healed of aching back muscles through Dr. Lee's prayer for the sick. Above all, I was touched by Dr. Lee who sacrificed himself for the church members just as the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. During my visit to Korea, Deacon Kim was dispatched to Canada as Manmin's missionary and he opened Calgary Manmin Church. In late July, 2006, I received prayer of blessings with the prayer title 'Opening a Business that Serves the Church Financially' from Dr. Lee who was about to head for the U.S. to conduct New York United Crusade.

Back in Canada, God led me to the way of blessing. In 2009, I prosperously took over 'Great Clips' on the Beltline. 'Great Clips' is a hair salon franchise in the United States and Canada with over 3,000 locations across the United States and Canada.

I met with some difficulties while opening, but I discovered my lack of complete trust in God and repented. Then, God made things that seemed impossible possible and confirmed Dr. Lee's prayer.

My wife, Deaconess Ranah Kim, is in charge of Local Personnel Management and Hairdressing, and I am in charge of General Management.

I finally managed to open a well-known hair salon that even local Canadians were not able to take over very easily. And I gave the full tithe of sales, not my income. Even now I give a tithe of sales without forgetting my first resolution. I also gave offerings to Dr. Lee and have been receiving blessings in my business.

As a result, my salon was awarded Outstanding Sales Growth Prize from the U.S. headquarters on the 30th Anniversary of the chain in 2012 although it had remained in the lower ranks in sales when I opened it. According to Statistics Canada, the level of my family's income is in top 10%. I give all thanks and glory to God who let me meet the shepherd Dr. Jaerock Lee and blessed me.