11 notable Christian figures who died in 2021
David Yonggi Cho – Sept. 14, 2021
David Yonggi Cho, co-founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, believed to be the world’s largest congregation, encompassing a network of churches that once claimed over 800,000 members, died at age 85.
Yonggi Cho, who had retired from leading the church in 2008 and was named pastor emeritus, died at a Seoul hospital. He had been getting treatments for a cerebral hemorrhage that began in July 2020.
“He conveyed the gospel of hope to the Korean people who fell into despair after the Korean War,” said his church in a statement, as reported by The Associated Press. “He was instrumental in growing the Korean church, particularly developing Yoido Full Gospel Church as the world’s largest church.”
Raised Buddhist, Cho converted to Christianity as a youth after being introduced to the faith through a family friend and later joined the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination.
“Besides health, status, fame, authority, money... these are all matters that are outside the body and unworthy of any pursuit,” he added. “God forbid, if God calls me back today, I will still be able to go to the Kingdom of God.”
