The Church for All Nations was founded in the fall of 2005.  Since its humble beginnings, however, God has blessed the church tremendously.  In 2010 they managed to purchase the multi-building complex that used to house the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia.  Since then, under the leadership of their passionate Senior Pastor Rev. Hong Won-ki, they have experienced even more growth and were looking forward to celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Then the unthinkable happened!  In mid-June, the Senior Pastor’s wife, Chun Myung-hee Samonim, underwent what was supposed to be a minimally invasive surgery to correct twisted intestines. However, she never walked out of the hospital alive.  From what I heard, she got infected with a deadly virus while at the hospital, which caused her organs to shut down one by one.  After several weeks of agony and suffering, she finally went home to Jesus her Savior last Sunday.
I don’ know the late Chun Samonim personally. I’ve never even met her.  But with advances in electronic communications (such as Kakaotalk, text messages, email,  etc.), literally hundreds and even thousands of people in this area, regardless of their denominations or church affiliations, were kept abreast of her latest condition and interceded fervently for her.  Many fasted and cried out to the Lord to save her. She was only in her mid-50’s,  had two unmarried children, and still had a lot to do as the Senior Pastor’s wife of a large Korean American church.    Nonetheless, God called her home at His appointed time. 
I wasn’t mad at God, but I struggled to understand why God didn’t answer our ‘good, selfless’ prayer request to save her.   So I had to remind myself of God’s absolute goodness through the song lyrics, “God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So when you don't understand, when you don't see His plan,  when you can't trace His hand, trust His heart.” 
Then during my Quiet Time, God answered my question through the story of Lazarus.  When Jesus finally came to see Lazarus, his sister Mary fell at His feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”   That’s probably true.  But if Jesus had been there earlier, He wouldn’t have had to raise Lazarus from the dead, but just heal him.  They would not have witnessed Jesus’ power to raise the dead, and then John 12:11, “For an account of him (i.e. Lazarus coming back to life) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in Him,” would not have happened, either.  Jesus allowed Lazarus to die and come back to life so more people could believe in Jesus and be saved.
There was no such miracle in the case of the late Chun Samonim.  However, we witnessed a different kind of a miracle - many churches and believers coming together to cry out to God in such beautiful unity and love.  I believe this marks the beginning of a new era, with numerous Korean American churches in our area joining forces to fight against Satan our common enemy in taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth!  I firmly believe that Chun Samonim’s death will, just as much as Lazarus’ resurrection did, result in many lives being saved!   She indeed is a kernel of wheat that died to bear much fruit. That’s not a tragedy, but a privilege! She is blessed indeed.

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
July 12, 2015

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

I don’t know why I read or watch the news.  I understand that it keeps me informed about what goes on in the world today, but often times I wonder how good it really is for me.  There has only been a few times (that I recall) where I felt positive and hopeful about what’s happening.  Hopelessness, frustration, sadness resulting in deep sighs and side comments in response to news like “we all need Jesus” or “Jesus needs to hurry and come” seem to overwhelm my thoughts and emotions.  However, as I was reflecting this week, the Lord reminded me of His sovereignty.  It wasn’t a cop-out reminder for myself, a reassuring word and thought to say for me to dismiss the reality of life, but a true reminder that He has the whole world in His hands.  Isaiah 66 has come to mind often, “Heaven is His throne, earth is His footstool” – He is indeed a big, mighty, sovereign God.  If you think on the events in scripture, especially throughout the Old Testament, we see God’s power, hope, and love shine through in some of the darkest moments of Israelite history.  Imagine being in captivity for generations, brainwashed by different rulers and forced into cultures and traditions foreign to your own.  But in the midst of that, the Lord sends people to remind greater Israel that He is still God and they are still His people, if they would turn from idols and obey.   God knows all and will respond accordingly in His perfect timing.  Whether it’s in your life or in this world, He is sovereign, He is faithful, He is a mighty fortress.  I leave you with a hymn called “A Mighty Fortress is our God” by Martin Luther that has encouraged me this week:

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle. And tho' this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thro' us.
The Prince of Darkness grim�
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow'rs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thro' Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.

From Pastor Keeyoung’s Heart

July 5, 2015