There are a lot of people in the world, but there have been only a few people who had a great influence on the life of people through human history. Especially Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, and Jesus are called the greatest saints all over the world. However, Jesus, the founder of Christianity, is so special to me, I couldn't say exactly when he came to me, how I knew him, and who is he. Today I would like to introduce Jesus who has been influencing my whole life to you.
        Jesus was born almost two thousand years ago at Bethlehem in Israel. His birth was not special, but rather shabby. His life was also very normal for the first 30 years. He was a country carpenter. I have never seen him face to face, but I acknowledge that he is the person who understands and knows me best. Even though his life was not so special, he lived a special life to save others from their sins, including me. If I could describe him in a word, he is true love. While he was living in the world, he showed his love to people without distinction of rank or class, irrespective of gender, and regardless of age. God is love but at the same time He is justice. It means God hates sin, crime, or unjustice. He demands penalty for all kinds of sin. However, there is no one who has no sin among human beings who came from Adam. In spite of humans' sins, God wanted to forgive them within His endless love. So He needed someone who has no sin who can satisfy God's justice fully. In this urgent situation, Jesus wanted to reconcile God the Father and sinners. Eventually he gave his life for sinners on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins as an atonement to reconcile them with God the Father. But he rose again from the dead, and God made him our perfect saviour.
        Before anything else, I would like to share my experience in the Philippines. When I finished my Korean Army service, I hoped to study English for my future. Before I went to the army, I was majoring in Theology at the Asian Center for Theological Studies Mission, so I wanted to study the Bible in English, as well as to preach the gospel to those who speak English. At first I made up my mind to go to America to study English like other Korean students. But I could not receive a visa and I was very disappointed. Despite my impossible situation, I could not give up studying English, and I kept on praying to the Lord to open the door to go abroad. After three days I found another opportunity that gave me hope. It was going to the Philippines for four months just for studying English. During my stay in the Philippines, I concentrated my efforts on improving my English abilities as well as doing my best to know what God's will was and specific plans for my future. I read the Bible and prayed a lot to know Him better. Gradually my English was improving day by day, and I began to try to communicate with Filipinos to understand them and their culture. Three months had passed since I arrived in the Philippines. One night, I was praying.
        "Lord, what I want is to live for the sake of your kingdom, and I'd love to go to North Korea to preach the gospel."
        "Young Man! Young Man!" At first, I wondered who was talking to me. I looked around but there was nobody. Again I prayed....
        "Young Man!"
        "Here I am. Who are you? Is that really You, Lord?"
        "I want to use you in a place where my people are dying without hearing the gospel."
        "But... Lord, how can I do that?"
        "I want to use you, Young Man."
        "But... Lord, I think I can't...no, I can't!"
        "Don't say, no!... yes, you can't do anything by yourself, but I can do what you can't. I'll be with you and I'll help you."
        "Yes, Lord! I am yours. You can use me for anything, Lord!"
        I was convinced that it was Jesus whom I believe in. He called me to his work as a co-worker. What a wonderful blessing! After this experience he has touched my heart from time to time to recognize his plan and love towards me.
        Jesus is the only one who has given me a reason to live and the power to follow Him. Before I loved Him, He really loved me. If He gave up dying on the cross instead of me, how I could love God. Therefore since God so loved me, I also ought to love others with all of my heart. I really want to share His love with those who are in need and hunger for real love. I would like to make Him known all over the world through my daily life. I have never seen Jesus Christ; but if I love others like Him, I believe that His love will be complete in me. I want to give thanks to the Lord who has given me His everything forevermore.