"Bullied and Broken, Healed by God — May the Next Generation Encounter Him"

“They said I was useless. A delinquent destined either for jail or an early grave.”

That’s how missionary Mark Cho (57), the director of the youth missions movement Let’s Go Korea, recalls the words spoken over him as a child.

Cho moved to the United States at the age of eight, where he endured constant bullying and rejection. The deep wounds from isolation and ridicule eventually erupted into uncontrollable anger. But when we met Cho on April 16 at the Kukmin Ilbo Studio in Yeouido, Seoul, he calmly shared how encountering God transformed his life and healed his heart.

That transformation began when Cho met God at the age of 12.

“At the time, I didn’t know anything about God. I had never been to church,” he said. “But even someone like me — someone with nothing to offer — was loved unconditionally by Him. That encounter brought peace to my heart and completely changed me.”

Now, as a living testimony of faith, Cho devotes his life to helping the next generation experience the same God he met. This passion led to the founding of Let’s Go Korea, a youth-focused Christian rally that gathers young people across denominations.

Mark Cho, along with his wife, missionary Stacey Eom (58), arrived in Korea a month ahead of the event. This year marks the third Let’s Go Korea gathering, following previous ones held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in 2022 and Osanri Prayer Mountain in 2023. The 2024 rally will take place on May 10 at 1:30 PM at the Grand Convention Hall in Gwanggaeto Building, Sejong University, under the theme “Grace.”

“Even though I can’t speak Korean well, I continue this ministry because I believe I have a message that Korean youth need to hear,” said Cho. He shared that every time he visited Korea during his missions work with YWAM Kona and the University of the Nations, his heart would grow inexplicably heavy.

“Looking back, I believe God was stirring my heart with His burden for the next generation who have left the church.”

“I began blowing the trumpet to gather these youth before God, praying that they would receive the same healing I once did,” he said. “Just like me, I hope today’s young people will seek after God and meet His faithful and loving heart.”

Organizing the first rally wasn’t easy. Cho and his wife had no connections or financial backing — only prayer. But God gave them a clear word: Trust Me.

“The only voice we needed to hear was God’s,” Cho said. “And by His power alone, we were able to hold the rally. We continue to do everything by faith.”

The fruit of their faith is evident.

“One teacher from an alternative school testified that after bringing 60 non-Christian students to the rally, many of them began attending church,” Cho shared. “We didn’t want this to be just a one-off event. So we partnered with various mission organizations to set up booths that would allow continued connection and discipleship.”

Participating ministries this year include Key of David, YWAM, and Beautiful Picket, among others.

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Seunghyun Cho | chosh@kmib.co.kr

*This is a translated version of an article from Kukmin Ilbo (Korea).