Korean evangelist, children's choir participate in annual prayer breakfast

Billy Kim and members of the Far East Broadcasting Children's Choir were welcomed guests at Fort Belvoir's annual prayer breakfast gathering Friday at the Officers' Club.

Kim, an evangelist and radio broadcaster, has traveled around the world preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to people in all walks of life. According to him, the success he's attained in life wouldn't have been possible if not for the generosity of an American Soldier who befriended him during the Korean War.
"A young Army sergeant named Carl Powers was making $152 a month back in 1952. He believed in me and saw I was capable of achieving good things in life," Kim
told the audience.

"Without any second thoughts, he paid for my education back in the United States. When I returned to Korea years later, I was proud to be a minister in the Christian community. My dreams, as well as my prayers, were answered by that Soldier. So, as we gather today for our prayer breakfast, I have much to be thankful for."

For a brief period, Kim said he actually considered studying politics, but that God called him to the ministry in "just the nick of time." As laughter filled the room, Kim added that, contrary to what some have read over the years, an overwhelming majority of Korea is grateful to the U.S. for its participation in the Korean War. He estimates the number to be more than 90 percent.

In reference to today's current economic crisis, Kim closed his speech by saying, "There's no better time to pray for our leaders and citizens across the globe than right now. As a people, we have overcome many things in life and we will overcome this, too. We just have to believe."

The Far East Broadcasting Children's Choir performed several songs for the audience earlier in the program, including one where they came out into the crowd and hugged every Soldier and invited guest attending.

While singing "God Bless America," the children also surprised everyone by pulling out flags of both the United States and Korea in a symbolic gesture of unity between the two nations.