Following the Path Our Father Walked

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Collecting albums was more than a hobby—it was my joy. During my busy school years and even in the lonely days of studying abroad, music helped me relieve stress and brought me delight, inspiration, hope, and comfort.

Now, my favorite music—without question—is the New Songs. These songs, which praise God Elohim, have the power to move the soul. Even after years of studying God’s precious word, I had only understood it with my head—not with my heart. It was through the New Songs that I finally realized the truth of salvation and the love of God.

This happened around the time I had just begun a professorship in San Diego. One day, my mother, who was visiting us from Korea, took our three-year-old son to the playground. There, a Korean woman greeted her brightly. In a neighborhood where hardly any Koreans lived, hearing Korean felt like a true gift. Our family, longing for connection and warmth in a strange city, quickly grew close to that person.

She attended a church—like many Korean immigrants. But it wasn’t a typical Korean church. It was the Church of God—a name that was unfamiliar to me. Even more surprisingly, the church was located several hours away by car. I couldn’t help but wonder, Why not just attend a nearby church? What makes this one different? As I listened, I realized it really was different. The sermons were deeply rooted in the Bible, and everyone seemed genuinely committed to studying Scripture. In Canada, where I had studied for my master’s degree, and later in the U.S., I had attended several Korean churches—but most of the sermons were based on pastors’ personal opinions and experiences, and the gatherings mostly focused on socializing or business.

At a time when I was growing disillusioned with religion, the Bible-based teachings at the Church of God felt fresh. The pastoral staff, who had just recently arrived in the United States, along with church members, traveled long distances to teach us. I ended up filling more than a dozen notebooks, summarizing and organizing what I had learned. Still, even though I understood the teachings intellectually, they hadn’t yet reached my heart. What especially troubled me was the idea that the Second Coming Christ had come from the ends of the earth in the East—specifically, Korea, the country where I was born and raised. Among so many nations, why Korea? The biblical prophecies did offer clarity, but even then, understanding didn’t immediately translate into belief.

Still, my wife and son loved the church so much that we started attending together. Not long after, a new church was established near our home and my school. It started in a modest house church, but before long, a beautiful new temple was built. At first, only three rows at the front were filled during worship services, but that didn’t last. One by one, the members increased, and soon, the empty seats were gone. I often sat in the back during worships, arms crossed, quietly observing. And I found myself asking:

“How can these people accept the truth so passionately? What am I missing?”

About three years had passed. One Sabbath, as I singing praise to God with New Song, a deep and overwhelming emotion suddenly rose from within me. The love and sacrifice of Father and Mother, who came to this earth clothed in the flesh to save a sinner like me, the truth of the new covenant filled with their blessings, the happiness of dwelling with brothers and sisters in Zion . . . the truths and grace contained in every line of the New Song harmonized into a deep realization and touched my heart. Tears began to pour from my eyes. The question: “Why did They come to the East?” transformed into gratitude: “Of all places in this vast world, They came close to me.”

I was filled with unspeakable gratitude for the endless patience and love of Father and Mother, who waited so long for this child to understand. At the time, I was going through what you might call a “midlife crisis.” At school, more advanced research and higher-level teaching were demanded of me, but my physical strength was waning. The constant pressure of decision-making in both family and work life was crushing. So, finding Someone I could truly rely on was the greatest comfort. The worries and burdens that once tormented me suddenly seemed small.

Unlike me, the members who had realized God’s grace earlier were already striving to preach the gospel in states where Zion had not yet been established. Though I was lacking, I joined them. On weekends, I would travel three to six hours to cities like Phoenix and Tucson to preach the new covenant with Zion members. During holidays, I joined short-term missions, preaching wholeheartedly for two full weeks.

In one city, I preached about the Passover to a young man. His response was unusual. He didn’t say it was right or wrong, or whether he believed or not—he simply said, “I just don’t like it.” Yet he didn’t reject it entirely, so I continued to visit the area each weekend, sharing the Word with patience. Eventually, he began to accept the truth, at least intellectually. But he still hesitated to receive God Elohim. I calmed my impatience and continued teaching him step by step. Actually, it had taken me years to fully accept the truth. Thinking about how long God had waited for me, I couldn’t give up.

One day, the young man asked me, “If I decide to get baptized, would you come here? I want to invite my parents and be congratulated.” There was a resolve in his eyes. Not long after, he called me.

“You need to come here,” he said.

“Right now? Did something happen?” I asked.

He smiled and replied,

“You know why.”

At last, the young man received God Elohim, was baptized, and took his first steps in true faith with the congratulations of his parents and the Zion family. He later pursued his dream of becoming a pastoral staff, longing to resemble Heavenly Father and Mother—and fulfilled that dream.

One by one, souls were led to God. To help someone discover the meaning and purpose of life, to guide them toward blessings—that is an unspeakable joy. Those who realized the value of the gospel gave their all to it—whether they were longtime members or new ones, they gladly gave up rest and sleep to carry out the mission of saving souls.

When I was baptized, Zion only existed in New York and a few places in California. It was rare to meet anyone who had heard of the Church of God, and most people looked at an Asian preaching the Bible as something unfamiliar. But now, Zion can be found in all fifty states, even Alaska and Hawaii. Government officials, community leaders, and citizens alike praise the Church of God as a Bible-following, loving, and service-oriented church. This has all come to pass in just over twenty years. As the New Song says, God regards even the smallest devotion greatly. Through His beloved children, He has swiftly fulfilled a vast gospel work. He allowed me, who was slow to understand, to witness it all firsthand, strengthening my faith more firmly. In God’s work, not even the smallest detail is without purpose. How can I not give thanks?

It’s been nearly forty years since I left Korea. But I have not the slightest thought of stepping back just because the gospel has grown or because I’m no longer young. I want to continue dedicating myself to this work. The grace I’ve received from God is far too great to repay in a lifetime.

I thank God Elohim for allowing me to be part of the great work of salvation, carried out with Their almighty power. Until the day this gospel is completed, I will run with the heart of a dew-like youth.

“♪Ahnsahnghong our Father preached the gospel of new covenant. Let’s follow Him and share heavenly treasures with people♬”

With each powerful note of the New Song, the fire in my heart burns brighter.