A Second Chance

I serve in the U.S. military at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Korea. This is my second tour in Korea, and my greatest hope—both then and now—is to establish Zion, a place of spiritual rest, for the 45,000 U.S. service members and their families who live here. Having experienced how the truth of life has brought blessings to my family and me, I sincerely hope that others, who are enduring life far from home, may also come to receive the same blessings.

I first encountered the truth ten years ago in the United States. At that time, my wife and I had attended the chapel on base a few times, but we never truly felt at ease. As I prayed to God, asking Him to show me the path I should take, a neighbor I had met in the park invited us to study the Bible. After discussing it with my wife, we accepted the invitation and went to the church on the appointed day.

That church turned out to be the Church of God. On that very day, we studied the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. Can you imagine the awe I felt? As I learned how God had guided world history precisely according to His will, came to understand the identity of Satan—something I had never even imagined—I was overwhelmed. And as I came to know God, who revealed these hidden truths, my heart was filled with deep amazement. Questions poured out of me without end. Even after studying the word until dawn, it still was not enough. I returned the next day, and the day after that, continuing my study with eagerness.

Since childhood, I had attended the Catholic Church with my mother, yet I knew very little about the Bible. Whenever I asked the priest about expressions like “us” in Genesis or about the nature of the soul, I received only vague answers such as, “Pray to God, and you will come to know.” But in the Church of God, every question I had was answered clearly through the Bible. The questions I had long held about the soul were already explained from the very first chapter of Visitors from the Angelic World, written by Christ Ahnsahnghong. Just as God personally answered Job when he could not understand about the soul, I felt that God Himself was answering my questions. Through this, I came to a firm conviction: Christ Ahnsahnghong, who revealed truths that no one else in the world could know, is truly God.

With a firm resolve to follow God’s word, I continued learning the truth in Zion. At first, however, the truth about God the Mother remained only in my understanding and did not fully reach my heart. As I struggled with this, a brother encouraged me to go out and preach together. At first, I simply stood beside him, listening and observing. Gradually, I began to share the words myself. Something remarkable happened. The more I preached, the more the existence and love of God the Mother became deeply rooted in my heart. It felt as though I was not preaching to others, but to myself. Preaching became a sure way for me to realize God’s presence and His boundless love.

During my time in Zion, not only did my faith grow, but my character also changed significantly. In the past, my speech was often rough, and I lived carelessly, engaging in things that were harmful to my body—habits formed through intense and dangerous combat missions and training. Even after I first came to Zion, I was not much different. Yet the members did not rebuke me. Instead, they patiently waited for me to come to understand and practice God’s good teachings. Step by step, they guided me, helping me learn how to live as one of God’s people. Over time, I began to change. I learned to speak with gentleness, to value and keep the regulations, and to care for those around me. The desire to become a good example for those who had newly come to Zion became a strong motivation for me.

In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I received orders to be stationed in Korea. Though the transfer came suddenly, it felt as if I had returned home—perhaps because this is the country where Heavenly Mother is. Knowing my weaknesses, God had already prepared a member of Zion in the same unit, even in the same office as I was. In addition, many Korean members spoke English fluently, so there was no difficulty in communication.

Deeply grateful for Heavenly Mother’s constant care and consideration, which allowed me to keep my faith wherever I was, I longed to offer precious fruits of the gospel in return. Putting my resolve into action, I shared the word of God with a family of four living in the same villa and led them into God’s embrace. Two of my wife’s cousins also visited Korea, heard the truth, and accepted God. I continued sharing the word of God online with family members in the United States, and four more of my wife’s cousins later visited a nearby Zion and received the blessing of new life. Now, they have all grown into reliable fellow workers in the gospel. I also fondly remember forming a team called “Harmony” with fellow U.S. service members. As we supported and encouraged one another, we carried out the gospel work with great joy.

Before returning to the United States after completing my service in Korea, I was thankfully given the opportunity to meet Heavenly Mother. Mother blessed me and encouraged me to remember everything I had learned in Korea. To be honest, I could not feel entirely joyful about returning home. I felt a deep sense of regret that I had not shared the truth more actively with my fellow service members and had not practiced God’s love more wholeheartedly. Taking that regret as motivation, I made a firm resolve to put into practice in the United States everything I had learned and come to realize in Korea, just as Mother had instructed.

The Zion near my new duty station in the United States was in great need of care and attention, as there were not enough workers to look after all the members. The deacon and his wife, who were caring for the Zion, were constantly busy—looking after the members and preaching the gospel—yet they carried out their mission with joyful and thankful hearts, hardly taking a moment’s rest. Through them, I came to understand what I had not fully realized before. I began to see the sacrifice of Mother, who cares for all the Zions around the world day and night, and the devotion of the pastoral workers who follow Her example. I also came to understand that a life of sacrifice for the gospel is the true path of walking with Mother. Just as I had united with the members in Korea, I did my best to support the deacon and share love with the members in Zion.

Even so, my thoughts often turned back to Korea. Although Korea has the most Zions, there had been none at the base where I had previously served. Someone needed to share the truth of the new covenant with the people living there. As this earnest sense of mission grew within me, I was soon given another opportunity to return to Korea.

I arrived in Korea with great anticipation, but the situation was different from before. Most of the fellow service members in Zion, with whom I had once shared fellowship, had already returned to the United States, leaving me alone on the base. Having always relied on the help of the members, I felt at a loss as to what I could do on my own. Yet deep within, I already knew the answer: I should not depend on others, but simply fulfill the mission God had entrusted to me.

I began putting into practice what I knew I needed to do, one step at a time. First, I willingly took on the difficult tasks that others tended to avoid, carrying them out with a cheerful heart. Seeing this, my fellow service members and even my superiors wondered how I was able to remain so positive. As I diligently shared about God, who is at the center of my life, and about the truth of the new covenant, I gradually began to find fellow service members who longed for God Elohim. Believing that God had entrusted these precious souls to me, I felt both a sense of responsibility and a certain nervousness—like someone holding a newborn child. Even so, I prayed for God’s strength and did my best to care for them, striving to follow the example of the members in Zion who had once cared for me.

Recently, by the grace of Father and Mother, I was promoted at my base. In the U.S. military, it is customary to celebrate promotions with family, fellow service members, and superiors. Since the honoree may choose the venue, after consulting with my pastoral staff, I decided to hold my promotion ceremony in Zion. As I expressed my gratitude to those who came to celebrate with me, I also shared what kind of place Zion is, how precious the truth of the new covenant is, and how greatly my life—and my family’s lives—have been blessed through it. Though I felt nervous and my heart trembled, I gave thanks to God for granting me the opportunity to share the news of salvation with the very colleagues I serve alongside each day.

There are still many fellow service members who have yet to hear about God’s love and grace. Because of this, I constantly remind myself of what I call my spiritual Soldier’s Creed. It is my own spiritual reinterpretation of the Soldier’s Creed, which embodies the values and mission every service member is called to uphold. I repeat it to myself again and again: to arm myself with God’s word as a soldier of the truth, to place the mission of the gospel above all else, to put God’s love into practice, and to serve my brothers and sisters while standing with them to the very end. As I recite these words, I examine my life each day, asking whether my actions truly align with these convictions.

Looking back on my journey of faith, I can clearly see that God has led me through a process of awakening—both in the United States and in Korea—so that I might grow into a faith worthy of salvation. Moments that once felt difficult or overwhelming now seem precious to me, because I understand that they were all part of God’s will to refine and strengthen me. For that reason, I am able to cherish each day with a grateful and joyful heart.

Through all these moments of realization, I earnestly hope to grow, day by day, into a faith that truly pleases God. I also pray that I may fulfill my resolve to share the grace I have received with every person on the base. Holding fast to my spiritual Soldier’s Creed before God, I will continue to devote myself to the gospel until the day I can stand before Him and humbly report that I have faithfully carried out the mission entrusted to me.