# David Yonggi Cho > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/David_Yonggi_Cho > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/David_Yonggi_Cho.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Yonggi_Cho > Source revision: 1348117498 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) South Korean Christian minister (1936–2021) In this [Korean name](/source/Korean_name), the family name is *[Cho](/source/Cho_(Korean_surname))*. This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. See our advice if the article is about you and read our scam warning in case someone asks for money to edit this article. (April 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) David Yonggi Cho Born (1936-02-14)14 February 1936 Uiju-gu, Ulsan, Korea, Empire of Japan Died 14 September 2021(2021-09-14) (aged 85) Seoul, South Korea Education Full Gospel Bible College Kookmin University Occupation Evangelist Spouse Kim Sung Hae (Deceased) Religion Christianity (Pentecostal) Congregations served Yoido Full Gospel Church Title Doctor (Honorary) Korean name Hangul 조용기 Hanja 趙鏞基 RR Jo Yonggi MR Cho Yonggi Website davidcho.fgtv.com **David Yonggi Cho** ([Korean](/source/Korean_language): 조용기; 14 February 1936 – 14 September 2021 as Paul Yungi Cho) was a South Korean [Pentecostal](/source/Pentecostal) Pastor. He was the founder of the [Yoido Full Gospel Church](/source/Yoido_Full_Gospel_Church) ([Assemblies of God](/source/Assemblies_of_God)), which he started in a tent with 5 people (including his future mother-in-law [Choi Ja-shil](/source/Choi_Ja-shil) and her children as its first members), which eventually became the world's largest congregation, with a membership of 830,000 (as of 2007[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Yonggi_Cho&action=edit)).[1] ## Early life Cho was born on 14 February 1936, in [Ulju County](/source/Ulju_County), now part of [Ulsan](/source/Ulsan).[2] The son of Cho Doo-chun and Kim Bok-sun, Cho was the eldest of five brothers and four sisters. He graduated from middle school with honours. Because his father's sock and glove business went bankrupt, he could not afford high school or university tuition. Subsequently, he enrolled in an inexpensive technical high school to learn a trade. At the same time, he began frequenting an [American](/source/United_States) [army base](/source/Military_base) near his school, and learned [English](/source/English_language) from soldiers whom he befriended. He mastered English quickly, and became an [interpreter](/source/Language_interpretation) for the commander of the army base and the principal of his school.[3] Raised initially as a [Buddhist](/source/Korean_Buddhism),[4] a visit from a Christian girl led Cho to convert to [Christianity](/source/Christianity) at the age of 17, after he was diagnosed with [tuberculosis](/source/Tuberculosis). He believed that he was miraculously healed, as described in his testimony of conversion. Sensing what he believed to be God calling him to the ministry, Cho began working as an interpreter for the American evangelist [Ken Tize](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ken_Tize&action=edit&redlink=1). In 1956, he received a scholarship to study theology at [Full Gospel Bible College](/source/Hansei_University) in [Seoul](/source/Seoul). While there, he met [Choi Ja-shil](/source/Choi_Ja-shil), who became his mother-in-law and a close ministerial associate. He graduated in March 1958. ## Wider ministry Cho spent more than 44 years emphasizing the importance of cell group ministry, which he believed was the key to [church growth](/source/Church_Growth), as well as team ministry. In November 1976, Cho founded [Church Growth International](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Church_Growth_International&action=edit&redlink=1), an organization dedicated to teaching the principles of evangelism and church growth to pastors all over the world. In January 1986, he led the way in establishing the [Elim Welfare Town](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elim_Welfare_Town&action=edit&redlink=1), a facility for the elderly, young, homeless, and unemployed. The latter would be given training and a choice of four occupations. In 1988, he founded newspaper company, [Kukmin Ilbo](/source/Kukmin_Ilbo). He was Chairman of the [World Assemblies of God Fellowship](/source/World_Assemblies_of_God_Fellowship) from 1992 to 2000 and did not pursue another term, and had served as Chairman of the [Korean Christian Leaders Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Korean_Christian_Leaders_Association&action=edit&redlink=1) since November 1998. In February 1999, he began serving as Chairman of the Good People charity organization.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2008, Cho retired, with [Young Hoon Lee](/source/Young_Hoon_Lee_(pastor)) succeeding him as senior pastor.[5] ## Death Cho died on 14 September 2021 at the age of 85 due to complications from a stroke.[6] ## Published works - Paul Yonggi Cho (1979) *The Fourth Dimension*. Logos International [\[2\]](https://archive.org/details/fourthdimension00chop). - Paul Yonggi Cho (1988) *Successful Home Cell Groups*. Bridge Publications [\[3\]](https://archive.org/details/isbn_088270513). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-88270-513-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-88270-513-2) - Paul Yonggi Cho (1989) *The Holy Spirit My Senior Partner*. Word Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-85009-312-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-85009-312-4) ## Controversies This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (September 2019) In March 2011, Cho became a subject of controversy when he reportedly made comments suggesting that the [2011 Tōhoku tsunami](/source/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami) "could be a warning from God to Japan, which has become an increasingly materialistic, secular and [idol-worshiping](/source/Idolatry) country." However, as the context of the interview was distorted, a text of apology was announced by The News Mission.[7] In September 2011, 29 church elders filed a lawsuit by South Korean prosecutors. The prosecutors began an investigation of Cho's alleged embezzlement of 23 billion won ($20 million USD) from the [Yoido Full Gospel Church's](/source/Yoido_Full_Gospel_Church) funds. A national broadcaster, [MBC](/source/Munhwa_Broadcasting_Corporation), released a documentary that claimed the money had been used to buy properties for [Bethesda University](/source/Bethesda_University) in [Anaheim, California](/source/Anaheim%2C_California), United States, which Cho founded.[8] In 2014, Cho was convicted of embezzling $12 million USD in church funds that he bought from his son Cho Jong-Un.[9] ## See also - [Biography portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography) - [Christianity portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Christianity) - [South Korea portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:South_Korea) - [Phil Pringle](/source/Phil_Pringle) - [Christianity in Korea](/source/Christianity_in_Korea) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-economist_1-0)** ["O come all ye faithful"](http://www.economist.com/specialreports/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10015239&CFID=25385374). *Special Report on Religion and Public Life*. The Economist. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [\[1\]](http://yfgc.fgtv.com/Y1/WY1_23_1.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20041208183151/http://yfgc.fgtv.com/Y1/WY1_23_1.htm) 8 December 2004 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [조용기 목사](https://davidcho.fgtv.com/c1/C1_1.asp) [Rev. Yonggi Cho]. Yonggi Cho Official Website. Retrieved 29 August 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Pent._Dict._4-0)** Wilson, Dwight J. (2002). "Cho, David (Paul) Yonggi (Yong-Gi)". In Stanley M. Burgess (ed.). *The new international dictionary of Pentecostal and charismatic movements* (Rev. and expanded ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House. pp. 521–522. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0310224810](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0310224810). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Anderson, Allan (24 October 2013). [*An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity*](https://books.google.com/books?id=GT4IAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA152). Cambridge University Press. p. 152. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781107033993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781107033993). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["SOSOK Pendeta Paul Yonggi Cho, Simbol Pertumbuhan Kristen Pasca-perang Korea, Dahulu Penganut Buddha"](https://manado.tribunnews.com/2021/09/14/sosok-pendeta-paul-yonggi-cho-simbol-pertumbuhan-kristen-pasca-perang-korea-dahulu-penganut-buddha) (in Indonesian). [Tribun Manado](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribun_Manado). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210914075746/https://manado.tribunnews.com/2021/09/14/sosok-pendeta-paul-yonggi-cho-simbol-pertumbuhan-kristen-pasca-perang-korea-dahulu-penganut-buddha) from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The Kyunghyang Shinmun, 14 March 2011"](http://sports.khan.co.kr/news/sk_index.html?cat=view&art_id=201103141907513&sec_id=560101). December 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["For God and country"](https://www.economist.com/asia/2011/10/15/for-god-and-country). *The Economist*. 15 October 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Moon, Ruth (24 February 2014). ["Founder of World's Largest Megachurch Convicted of Embezzling $12 Million"](https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2014/february/founder-of-worlds-largest-megachurch-convicted-cho-yoido.html). *[Christianity Today](/source/Christianity_Today)*. ## External links - [Official website](http://davidcho.fgtv.com/) (in Korean) - [Amar Bakshi's *Washington Post* Interview](http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/america/2008/01/korea_american_saviors.html) - [Theologian Richard Riss on Cho (Sympathetic)](http://www.apologeticsindex.org/r01.html) - [Apologetics Index (Anti)](http://www.apologeticsindex.org/c17.html) - [The Toronto Blessing, includes material about Cho (Anti)](http://www.apologeticsindex.org/sva-tb06.html) - [Theological critics about Cho (Anti)](http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/cho/general.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190111020804/http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/cho/general.htm) 11 January 2019 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) v t e World Assemblies of God Fellowship Megachurches National Fellowships People Schools Africa Angola Benin Botswana Burkina Faso Cameroon Cameroon (Full Gospel) Canary Islands Cape Verde Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kisangani) Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia Gabon Ghana Guinea (Conakry) Ivory Coast Kenya Kenya (Pentecostal) Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Malawi Malawi (Pentecostal) Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Niger Nigeria Reunion Islands Rwanda Senegal Sierra Leone South Africa South Africa (International) Swaziland Tanzania Togo Uganda Zambia Zambia (Pentecostal) Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (Pentecostal) Asia Cambodia Georgia Hong Kong (Ecclesia) Hong Kong (Mission Council) India Indonesia Japan Philippines South Korea South Korea (GwangHwaMun) South Korea (Jesus Assemblies) Malaysia Singapore Taiwan Thailand Europe Albania Austria Belarus Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France France (CCINE) Georgia Germany Great Britain Greece Hungary Ireland Italia Kosovo Lithuania Malta Moldova Montenegro Netherlands North Macedonia (Christian Center) North Macedonia (Evangelical Church) Norway Poland Portugal Romania Serbia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Switzerland Ukraine North America Canada (former Italian Pentecostal Church of Canada) Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) Canada United States Latin America Argentina Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao Bahamas Belize Bolivia Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Guyana Haiti Honduras Jamaica Martinique Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Suriname Uruguay Venezuela West Indies Oceania Australia Fiji French Polynesia Guam Kiribati Micronesia Nauru New Caledonia New Zealand Northern Marianas and Palau Islands Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tonga Vanuatu Derivatives Bethel Church (Redding) Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Japan Italy Czech Republic Portugal Netherlands Latvia Korea Sweden Poland Finland Academics CiNii People DDB Other IdRef Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Yonggi Cho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Yonggi_Cho) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Yonggi_Cho?action=history)). 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