2025.09.06 Business Missions
The 237 Nations and the Start of Eternal Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC (36)
– Bartizan 32 of the 3-day Weekend Age –
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 18:1-15
Of course, this message is being heard nationwide and globally. However, I especially hope that it becomes a new beginning for the Honam region. And particularly for our Yeolbangbit Church, this will be a new beginning.
Some large churches have gone through such difficulties before. Churches like Yoido Somang Church, Gwangmin Church, and others have all faced heavy attacks. But each time, the elders in those churches stood firm with strength and prayer, and thus, they overcame. And now, we are also facing considerable attacks, which may last for several years.
Yet, many pastors and church leaders have united their strength through prayer, and because of this, our world evangelization is progressing even better. Among these works, something truly surprising happened—so surprising that I thought, “How can such a thing happen here in Gwangyang?” But the elders and congregation became one in oneness and protected the church. This has become a tremendous source of strength for us.
And by God’s grace, Pastor Kim Ik-Joo has now been sent to Gwangyang. From what I can see, I believe significant works will take place here. So the elders and congregation must begin preparing their vessels for this work. I also hope that the entire Honam region will become a model of blessing—a region where the churches gain new strength.
The first day I visited Seoul, I went to three churches: Yoido Full Gospel Church, the well-known Youngnak Church, and Chunghyun Church, which I had always wanted to see. On the way back, I also stopped by Myeongdong Cathedral.
At the three churches, I felt many things, but to summarize it in one phrase: “They are striving hard.” However, when I entered Myeongdong Cathedral, I felt something completely different. I thought, “Ah, this place inevitably draws people.” On weekdays, the three churches were empty, but the cathedral was packed even on a weekday. It was so crowded that there were traffic police inside the cathedral directing people. That was many decades ago, and I’m not sure if it was a special occasion, but that was my impression.
When I first started the ministry in Busan, I began by expanding the system. Since Busan consists of 13 regions, I analyzed all 13 regions carefully. Although we had only a small number of members at the time, we began a word movement in 300 places simultaneously. Then, we immediately entered the training system. That’s why, for the past 38 years, we’ve come this far without rest.
It’s not just about growing from dozens of people to thousands; the bigger miracle is that pastors all across the nation and the world have now risen and started the evangelism movement. And now, this movement is reaching the multiethnic people. This is exactly how it must be done.
We must make it so that when sick people think of where to go, they say: “Let’s go to Yeolbangbit Church rather than Gwangyangbit Church.” We must make it so that smart remnants say: “Let’s go learn at Yeolbangbit Church.” That’s how you prepare the field. And we must apply the training system from the headquarters exactly as it is, so that the members of this church will lead from the frontlines.
Right now, where are the multiethnic groups concentrated? In the countryside or in Seoul? They are mostly in local regions. For example, in Pyeongtaek, 80% of elementary school students are multiethnic; only 20% are Korean. Gwangyang is likely the same.
So, where should we start? Establish an international school. Let multiethnic families come. Make them say, “Ah, now that I came to this church, my path to education is open.” There’s nothing difficult about it; they can take the qualification exam.
Right now, the biggest concern of multiethnic parents is their children’s education. They brought them here, but they don’t know how to educate them. They don’t have money, and it’s hard for them. We need churches that save these families. Such churches must exist.
Inside RTS, there are many foreign students—use them. You don’t have to pay them much; they came with a mission, so they will go anywhere. While doing this, create the courtyard of holy meditation, the courtyard of prayer, the courtyard for children, and the courtyard of healing.
Today, we must discuss how we, as workers, should view RTS.
[Obadiah]
There are many examples we could look at today, but let us examine Obadiah. He was a church leader and a worker.
This same passage will be used for tomorrow’s first service, so today I will only share prayer topics.
[1 Kings 18:1–15]
▣ Main Message
1. 100 people
Obadiah risked his life to hide 100 prophets. Isn’t that incredible? A few things are included here: he used his calling, his position, and the crisis when prophets were being killed—all to dedicate himself to God’s work.
2. 7000 disciples
Do you know how far his support extended? To the 7000 disciples. When Elijah went to Mount Horeb, God said that He had reserved 7000 disciples who had not bowed to Baal. Obadiah had a hidden role in this as well. He was connected to that work.
3. Dothan City
But it didn’t end there. This later transitioned into the Dothan movement. The dedication of one church leader and worker became the turning point that changed the world.
1. 100 people
1) The age
We must see what Obadiah saw: he saw the age. Life or death was not what mattered; he discerned the spiritual age. He didn’t calculate risks like, “This is dangerous, maybe I shouldn’t do it.” He simply saw what God was doing.
If you’re in Gwangyang or in the Honam region, you must see the age. Otherwise, you cannot save people. Right now, the multiethnic age has come. The marginalized age has come. You must open your spiritual eyes quickly.
Sadly, Korean politicians are always late—often by a century. But we must prepare Korea to become a multiethnic nation, not just a single-ethnic nation. God has a reason He is sending children to be born abroad and bringing the nations here. We must open the doors for multiethnic peoples—visas, systems, and everything.
At least 100 million people should eventually gather here in Korea. Remember the 2002 World Cup? The entire nation went wild in unity. But that’s not necessarily a great boast—it happened because everyone shared the same ethnic background. Imagine if half the population had been multiethnic—Korea wouldn’t have reacted that way.
That’s why you must see the age. This is the multiethnic age. And look around—the sick, the spiritually oppressed, the lost—it’s the age of spiritual problems. We cannot leave this unaddressed.
2) Spiritual understanding
Obadiah also saw the spiritual reality. He resolved, “Even if I die, I must do this.” When one church leader truly holds to the covenant, works arise.
3) Strengths
Obadiah also saw the strengths of Elijah and Elisha, whom he served. Everyone has strengths; you must discover and nurture them. If you fail to use them, you end up opposing God’s will.
For example, in this church, we have Pastor Kim Ik-Joo. He is a former U.S. Marine. If a fight breaks out, no one can defeat him—he’s trained differently. He’s fluent in English and Korean. Some people are good at English but poor in Korean, and that doesn’t work either. God has prepared him perfectly, and now, the timetable has come.
We must raise remnants and also focus on healing. We must be able to give assurance to the sick.
2. 7000 disciples
From this point forward, Obadiah’s work became even more hidden. This is critical. People often want to reveal themselves, but Obadiah stayed hidden.
1) Invisible ministry
He continually carried out a hidden ministry behind the scenes.
2) Generational transition
He saw the transition from Elijah to Elisha. You must open your eyes to this generational shift as well.
3) The time schedule for gathering
As we said, God said He had reserved 7000 disciples. Now came the timetable to gather them. Obadiah saw this.
3. Dothan City
1) 1 Kings 19:19–21
At this stage, the age of Elisha arrived silently. It was the beginning of an era when God would raise His servant to the highest level. This is the Dothan movement. It didn’t happen randomly; in the midst of a great crisis, Elijah called Elisha. Elisha left everything and followed. Elijah was, in effect, a wanted man, yet Elisha gave up all conditions to join him.
2) 2 Kings 2:9–11
Here’s something even more important: many servants of God end up making ministry about personal survival. Jericho? It’s comfortable. Bethel? Nice. Gilgal? Great. But Elisha rejected all of it. Instead, he asked for the double portion of Elijah’s spirit. His vessel was different.
3) 2 Kings 6:8–24
Elisha later established the Dothan movement, and the one who silently supported all of this was Obadiah.
To all the church leaders listening to this message, receive this blessing. And to all the church leaders at Yeolbangbit Church, receive this blessing as well.
▣ Conclusion
What results come from such amazing blessings?
1. Victory
They won without fighting. There’s a saying: winning 100 out of 100 battles isn’t true victory. True victory is winning without fighting.
2. Answers
Second, they received answers beyond their own thoughts. From now on, the pastors, ministers, and church leaders of Yeolbangbit Church must receive answers so complete that your thoughts aren’t needed. If your thoughts are still the focus, it’s evidence there are no answers yet.
If there are no answers, of course, you’ll rely on your own thoughts. But when God’s answers come upon your church and your work, you won’t need to do anything else. Obadiah didn’t need to choose anything else—he saw God’s answers and simply followed them. That’s why these works took place.
3. Everybody
Lastly, this wasn’t just about saving Israel. Even Aram was saved. Through this, everyone was saved. That was the result of Obadiah’s life.
That’s why all church leaders and workers across the nation must receive this blessing. There is no other reason. If you don’t receive God’s answers, you’ll rely on old things, your own things—and that’s the beginning of failure.
If God is with your work, you don’t need anything else. Nothing else is necessary. This blessing must come upon you.
Prayer. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and the infinite love of God, and the powerful working of the Holy Spirit, be upon all workers and church leaders across the nation and the world, upon all the churches in the Honam region, and upon Yeolbangbit Church, from now and to eternity. Amen.