Elder Dongrock Yang (2-18 Parish, Lieutenant of Dongjak Police Station, Seoul)


On the 67th Police Day, Elder Dongrock Yang of Dongjak Police Station received a presidential citation. It has been 26 years since he started to work as a policeman. He said it would be unimaginable to receive such an award if it was not for the Lord's grace and Dr. Lee's teaching. Let's take a look at his testimony.



After reading The Message of the Cross, I was born again as a true Christian

In late 1997, my neighbor led me to this church and I came to regularly attend Manmin Central Church. It was a turning point of my life. I attended church before, but it was because of vague fear of Hell. I still enjoyed the worldly things and often used foul language. I also frequently violated the traffic laws. But after reading the international steady-seller The Message of the Cross authored by Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee, many of my questions about Christianity that I kept during my 30-year Christian life were all answered and all disbelief in God was all gone right away.

Why did God place the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Why didn't God stop Adam from eating it? Such questions were answered and then inexpressible joy overflowed in my heart. After I realized the true love of God, my Christian life was totally transformed. I realized that to resemble the Lord is to live a life as a Christian. I started to regret how I lived my past life. I made the apostle Paul's confession "I die daily" the motto of my life and tried to live by the Word of God only.



When misunderstanding and persecution were encountered I accomplished goodness with joy

In May, 1999, there were many kinds of misunderstanding and persecutions from my fellow workers due to a broadcasting company's false report concerning my church. This incident was caused by those who were jealous of the church's revival and growth and those who wanted to conceal their own corruption.

But I didn't sway at all because I trusted Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee who acted only with goodness and love just as he had taught us to do and God who guaranteed Dr. Lee with signs, wonders, and power.

Before long, I was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Dongjak Police Station. But misunderstanding remained here. I looked at the living God, however. I also practiced goodness all the more according to the teaching of Dr. Lee who set a good example. I took a lead in doing unpleasant tasks. As time went by, bias against me subsided and disappeared. And the truth about our church was revealed. I was even loved by my coworkers. They said "A genuine Christian in our police station is Elder Dongrock Yang."

In many cases, policemen are supposed to work on Sunday. I wanted to keep the whole Sabbath and work faithfully for the Lord, so I received Dr. Lee's prayer. As a result, I was blessed to keep the whole Sabbath from then until now. Also, I armed myself with the Word by reading the Bible and tried to evangelize policemen as the president of Dongjak Policemen's Mission.



God remembered all my deeds and blessed me with a presidential citation

In the police station, I perform my duty considering myself a model representative of policemen. Outside, I manage my life with a pride thinking that I am an 'ambassador' of Manmin. I endeavor to become an exemplary person by looking back upon my life in prayer while praying in church every night.

I arrive at my workplace before other coworkers and clean and tidy up all the desks for them. Then, I start the day with prayer. I use honorific forms of speech and words even to my subordinates, which makes my way of speaking gentle. I fill in for my subordinates if they are overloaded with work or gotten behind on their work.

When I deal with civil complaints, I think 'What if this person was one of my family or friends?' I talk to them with a smiling face. I help people with heavy loads they carry, help citizens pulling a handcart, and I give ice cream to the elderly who rest in the shade of a tree. Such deeds which were small might have led to a presidential citation.

The blessing which I have received is given to me through God's grace, the Lord's love, and the shepherd's teaching. I give all thanks and glory to God the Trinity.