Rev. Aleksejs Ledjajevs, Senior Pastor of New Generation Church, Latvia
Rev. Aleksejs Ledjajevs is Senior Pastor of the church that has more than four hundred branch churches in fourteen countries. He was formerly a writer and a producer of operas and musicals.


Q: What brought you to Korea?

I learned about Manmin Central Church and Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee from my Israeli pastor Oren Rev Ari, and I visited Korea with a longing heart.

Some people negatively talked about the church when I told them that I would pay a visit to the church. A Russian old saying goes, "Seeing something once is better than hearing about it a hundred times." I came to experience the church myself. In 2016, I attended the meeting led by Rev. Soojin Lee from the church. I received much grace and hope to hold another meeting with her in June of 2017.


Q: How did you feel when you came to Manmin?

I traveled all around the world and met many people, but Manmin was truly amazing. Their hospitable welcome was really special. Manmin's pastors and the members in Hanbok, Korean traditional attire, warmly welcomed us at the airport, and we felt like we were envoys to Korea.

The church was a Bible-based assembly. There are many different age groups from adults, young adults, children, and so on. They seemed to understand the relation between a spiritual leader and the church members well, and they were like a spiritual family.


Q: What do you think of Manmin Central Church?

Everything in the church is the best. It is well-organized, and a number of workers enjoy working happily in unity. Their creative performance, technology, and broadcasting equipment are all wonderful.

I had never seen a full symphony orchestra in churches before I saw the orchestra in Manmin. The worship services are broadcast live. Manmin is performing a really active and powerful ministry.

In particular, the members are united perfectly as one with Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee at the center, and they all love and respect him who is leading them to the truth. Furthermore, the church members have not stopped praying fervently, and church ministry has been achieved according to fervent prayers. I was amazed by the sacrifice and faithful work of Manmin Prayer Center President Boknim Lee.


Q: You seemed to be touched by Easter Performance 2017.

It was a world-class professional performance. I could not believe actors are amateur church members, and it was more amazing that it was a live performance including singing and playing instruments. The stage, scenario, and arrangement were wonderful, but the concept was even more amazing.

The plot covered not only the Lord's passion and resurrection but also the Holy Spirit's coming, the disciples' martyrdom, the fruit of their sacrifice and blood, and the fruit borne to us after time passed by. It deeply touched my heart. Martyrdom is a topic hard to cover in present Christian churches, but the Disciples' martyrdom made me shed tears. Their martyrdom came to my heart but it did not come as a burden but just touched my heart.


Q: Have you visited Muan Sweet Water Aquarium?

I was so surprised to see both seawater fish and freshwater fish coexist in the water. There are various species of fish from USA, Latin America, Africa, Korea, and so on, and water stands for the Word of God, and then, Muan Sweet Water for the holiness gospel. It seems to symbolize that many different human races can be harmonized in the holiness gospel.


Q: Lastly, could you say something to Manmin?

I could see that everything in Manmin comes from Dr. Lee's spirituality. Every field of his ministry has been accomplished in such a sense.

What impressed me most was that the church proclaims the holiness gospel. In this current Christian world, it is very hard to proclaim holiness. Liberal theology and materialism hinder even Christians from keeping their faith. However, I saw here real faith, in which sanctification is put emphasis on, sins are pointed out, and the truth is proclaimed. I saw true faith here.

One more thing to amaze me was their hope for eternal life. The members strongly believe that what they have done on the earth is for rewards and blessings they will receive in New Jerusalem in the eternal Heaven.

I give thanks to Manmin that allowed me to have many spiritual experiences. I hope the spiritual reformation of Manmin will be spread transcending Korea to the whole world.