Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
INTERVIEW Rev. Lee takes Pentecostal leadership with vision for global growth, Asian hub
Rev. Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, speaks during the closing session of the Pentecostal World Conference held in Helsinki, Finland, June 5. Rev. Lee was appointed secretary-general of Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) at the conference. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church
By Baek Byung-yeul
Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, unveiled an ambitious vision for the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) following his unanimous election as secretary-general.
He aims to increase the global number of Pentecostal adherents to reach 1 billion by 2033, planning to achieve the goal through robust next-generation leadership training and stronger solidarity with Asian churches, positioning the region as a central hub for the global Holy Spirit movement.
On June 3, Rev. Lee was named secretary-general of the PWF. Established in Switzerland in 1947, the PWF is the world’s largest Pentecostal church alliance, representing around 700 million members across more than 150 countries. The organization holds a World Pentecostal Conference every five years as a platform for leaders to exchange insights and forge common stances on missions and global issues.
Rev. Lee views his new role as a continuation of his decades-long dedication to the mission of the late Rev. Cho Yong-gi, founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, also known as David Yonggi Cho.
"I believe this election is a fruit of the world mission work that Dr. Yonggi Cho has dedicated himself to for over half a century, and it is a grace from God as we continue in that spirit," Rev. Lee told The Korea Times in a written interview.
He highlighted the ongoing revival in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
"The global church is currently experiencing significant revival, especially in areas known as the 'Global South' — Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is a deep honor for me ... to undertake this responsibility and I am convinced it is part of God's providence,” Lee said.
He emphasized his role as a secretary-general in elevating the global standing of Korean and Asian churches.
"My appointment as secretary-general of the PWF is the result of the remarkable revival achieved by Korean and Asian churches being recognized by the global church," Lee said.
Observing the explosive growth in nations like India, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Mongolia, he added, "Asia is no longer a peripheral region of global Christianity but has emerged as a central place for the active work of the Holy Spirit.
“With over half of the world’s population concentrated in Asia, the spiritual revival occurring in this region will significantly influence the global church. In this context, the status of Asian churches is expected to rise even further, and their role within the global Pentecostal movement will be significantly strengthened.”
Rev. Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, speaks during the closing session of the Pentecostal World Conference held in Helsinki, Finland, June 5. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church
Vision for next-generation empowerment
As secretary-general, Rev. Lee's core mission is to transform the PWF into a central platform for church unity and cooperation, ensuring the sustained expansion of the Pentecostal movement.
“The global church is facing numerous challenges due to war, famine, disease and climate change. Nevertheless, the Pentecostal church is experiencing rapid growth through the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the growth of Pentecostalism is outpacing that of Christianity as a whole and even surpassing the growth rate of Islam,” he said. “I will strive to ensure that this revival continues to spread worldwide, making PWF a central platform and hub for church unity and cooperation.”
A key milestone in his plan is the year 2033, commemorating the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension.
"PWF is praying and working towards the vision of achieving 1 billion Pentecostal members worldwide by 2033," Rev. Lee said.
He also stressed the importance of preparing the next generation. "Additionally, I believe it is crucial to train and prepare the next generation for the future of the Pentecostal movement," he said.
“This vision became more concrete at the 27th Helsinki Conference, calling for the establishment of young people as faithful disciples of Jesus and sending them to the mission field.”
Rev. Lee Young-hoon, front row, third from right, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church, attends a Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF) board meeting in Helsinki, Finland, June 3. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church
Korean church’s role in global missions
Citing Dr. Harvey Cox of Harvard University, who predicted that Pentecostal churches would lead global Christianity in the 21st century, Rev. Lee said Pentecostal churches will stand at the center of world missions.
“In this context, the Korean church will play a pivotal role in leading the global Pentecostal movement and serve as a forward base for world missions,” he said.
He believes the Korean church must expand the Holy Spirit movement's reach and "demonstrate to global Pentecostal churches the model of a mature Pentecostal movement through its commitment to social responsibility."
Also, Rev. Lee emphasized that Korean churches should expand cooperation with Asian churches, which have emerged as a core region of the Christian faith's worldwide growth.
“The Asian church is currently at a pivotal moment, emerging as the center of the global movement of the Holy Spirit. It is crucial for the Korean church to build stronger solidarity and cooperation with Asian churches during this time,” he said. “I have long believed in the importance of collaborating with Asian churches. In 2013, I founded the Asia Leaders Summit (ALS) under the vision that ‘Asia should be led by Asians.’”
As PWF secretary-general, he plans to elevate the ALS into a central hub for the global movement. His strategy includes strengthening programs for identifying and training young leaders in Asia, expanding digital missions and online theological education and bolstering the self-sustaining mission capabilities of local churches.
“I dream of an Asian church that understands and respects one another, united in the Holy Spirit to achieve the spiritual revival of this era together. The Korean church must play an active role in this cooperation and support,” Rev. Lee added.
Addressing social challenges in Korea
Rev. Lee also expressed deep concern for the multifaceted challenges facing Korean society.
"Currently, Korean society is facing complex challenges across politics, economics and society. The most fundamental challenge is the extreme division and conflict," he explained, noting that this division makes it hard to solve other big problems.
"Therefore, we must first unite. The entire nation must come together to overcome the challenges facing Korean society with one heart. Restoring social trust is of utmost importance ... Our top priority should be to gather the national capacity based on mutual respect and understanding and to pursue the path of integration and coexistence.”
Despite the bleak situation, he sees a light of hope for the Korean society in navigating difficulties.
"The world says, 'The night comes after morning,' but Christianity declares, 'Morning comes after the night.' After the night of despair, the dawn of hope will surely break," he said. "This is the message of hope that Christianity conveys and I believe it is what Korean society needs most right now."