All of the Merit Awardees (Middle): They worked faithfully with joy and thanks in parishes, missions, and many parts of the church in 2014. From the top of the right clockwise, Deaconess Heewon Yang (Hearing-impaired Mission), Deacon Yongjin Cho (Transportation Bureau), Elder Junghwan Park (District Leader, middle), Deacon Hyun Ju (GCN), Deaconess Lieu (Cell Leader, middle in the first line), Senior Deaconess Younghee Hwang (teacher), Elder Yongjae Oh (Administration Office's volunteer), and Senior Deaconess Munhee Choi (Reception Committee)


On February 1 in 2015, Manmin Central Church had the 2014 Award of Merit Ceremony in recognition of those who fulfilled their God-given duties faithfully in 2014. A total of 34 members from among the parishes, missions, teachers, committees, volunteer groups, Levite full-time workers, volunteers, and branch churches won the award.

In parishes, the awards went to District Leaders Elder Junghwan Park and Senior Deaconess Kyungsuk Jeon; Sub-district Leader Deaconess Mija Oh; Cell Leaders Deacon Euitaek Kim and Deaconesses Chunja Mun, Misoon Yun, and Lieu. In missions, Group Leader Deaconess Sera Lee and Small Group Leaders Deacons Kyuhun Lee and Kieun Nam, and Senior Deaconess Chunhyun Ju received the award. Senior Deaconess Younghee Hwang received the award as a teacher.

Elder Junghwan Park stated, "It is a great source of joy to be with my district members in my believing life. The members are like my family and together with them I have been running the race of faith more happily. I also overcame the world through God-given grace during Cell Services."

Senior Deaconess Munhee Choi received the award in the Reception Committee which is in charge of all jobs related to foreign guests such as welcoming, meals, and interpretation. The following members also received the award: Deacon Jongae Lee, a member of the Volunteers' Committee; Senior Deaconess Hyesoon Lee from the Service Management Bureau; Deacon Myungsu Hwang from the Muan Sweet Water Management Committee; and Deaconess Heewon Yang of the Hearing-impaired Mission. Just to note, Muan Sweet Water is the fresh drinkable water that was changed from salty sea water by Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer. People have experienced God's power using it with faith.

Senior Deaconess Munhee Choi of Reception Committee said, "We are the first ones to welcome foreign guests at the airport and the last ones to see them off. We are well-aware of the importance of our duties and pray to give out warmer fragrance of goodness."

For 15 years Deacon Myungsu Hwang has transported Muan Sweet Water from Muan Sweet Water Site in Heje Myeon, Muan Gun Jeonnam Province to the Central Church in Seoul's Guro-dong district. He said, "I thoroughly wash myself on the days I transport the water of power. It takes twelve hours to travel to Muan and back, but God always gives me joy. I want to volunteer in Heaven as well." He added he felt thankful to God for giving him the duty. In Volunteer Groups, the awards went to Elder Myeongil Hong, Deacons Youngho Kim and Youngkuk Kim, and to Deaconess Hyekyung Cha.

Among volunteers, Elders Yongjae Oh and Busam Kim (Administration Office), Deacon Bonkwon Ku (Facility Maintenance Office), and Senior Deaconess Myungja Cho (World Christian Doctors Network) earned the award. Among branch churches, Senior Deaconess Maljin Kim of Mokpo Manmin Church received it. For several years she has offered cabbages that she raises for the church event 'Kimch of Love Sharing Event'. She does it with thanks for healing of her eight-month-old grandson's severe burns by Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayer nine years ago.

The award was also given to Levite workers (full-time workers): Deacon Hyunjun Lee (Overseas Mission Team that helps missionaries and branch churches for the Dr. Lee's world mission), Deaconess Boeun Kim (Editorial Bureau that conducts the publication ministry), Deacon Hyun Ju (GCN, that broadcasts the word of life and the powerful works of the Spirit), Deacon Jonghyun Lee (Security Office), Deacon Yongjin Cho (Transportation Bureau), Deacon Kwangha Woo (Condolences Committee), Deaconess Misuk Park (Pastors' Office), and Deacon Kyungsik Cha (Manmin Prayer Center).

The awardees said they had done only that which they ought to have done. They felt very grateful and became more eager to take hold of a better heavenly dwelling place. It was time for all the members to think about the heavenly rewards that God prepared for the awardees who fulfilled their God-given duties. They rejoiced together and congratulated them.