David Younggi Cho

David Yonggi Cho (1936–2021) was a Korean Christian evangelist and the founder of the Yoido Full Gospel Church (YFGC) in Seoul, South Korea, which became one of the largest megachurches in the world. Born on February 14, 1936, in South Kyŏngsang province, Korea, Cho was raised in a Buddhist family. At age 17, he fell gravely ill with tuberculosis and, after recovering, attributed his healing to the Christian God. This experience led him to convert to Christianity.

In 1958, Cho graduated from Seoul’s Full Gospel Theological Seminary (now Hansei University), operated by the Pentecostal Assemblies of God, and began his ministry by opening a tent church on a hillside outside Seoul. His hopeful message, coupled with reports of faith healings, attracted a growing congregation, particularly among those struggling in the aftermath of the Korean War. As the church expanded, it moved to downtown Seoul and eventually, in 1973, to a larger sanctuary on Yoido Island.

Fluent in English and Japanese, Cho preached sermons that were broadcast internationally, spreading his message of the Gospel and prosperity theology. By 1981, the church had grown to 200,000 members, and by the early 21st century, it claimed over a million worshippers. Cho’s prosperity gospel taught that faith, expressed through positive declarations, donations, and optimism, could bring health, wealth, and happiness. Under his leadership, the church also sent more than 700 missionaries to hundreds of churches worldwide.

Beyond his ministry, Cho founded the Kook-min Daily newspaper in 1988 and established various social programs through the church. These included a welfare center for elderly citizens without family support, vocational training for impoverished young adults, and a program providing food for the poor. The church also operated its own television station (Full Gospel Television), a publishing house, and an extensive website.

Cho served as chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship from 1992 to 2000. He retired from leading YFGC in 2008, leaving behind a legacy of faith-based initiatives, international evangelism, and community support programs. Cho passed away on September 14, 2021, in Seoul, South Korea.