Let Me Have God in My Heart -- Celebration of Life introduction to Bo Hi Pak

Nineteen-year-old Na Kyung Pak serves as hostess on stage for “Celebration of Life,” introducing and interpreting the different dances by the Korean Folk Ballet and also introducing her father, Col. Bo Hi Pak, to the audience.

Following is her own introduction of her father in which she describes his earlier military career and the events which led to his joining of the Unification Church.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I have the great privilege of introducing to you Col. Bo Hi Pak and sharing with all of you why he feels the urgent need to speak to the American people.

Col. Pak is a graduate of the Korean military academy, comparable to America’s West Point. He is a person of remarkable talent and firm ambition. Many of his superiors saw in him the potential to be a great military leader of Korea. However, a series of unusual events changed his destiny.

He tasted the tragedy of war and on many occasions barely escaped death. Thus Col. Pak began to search relentlessly for the true meaning of life.

He explains in his own words his dramatic story:

“In May 1952, during the Korean War, the Red Chinese Army launched its spring offensive in Korea on an unprecedented scale. Our defense line totally collapsed and a tragic retreat to the South took place. I was in this retreating stream of helpless soldiers as a company commander leading what was left of my men.”

He said, “When the retreating multitude came to the Chang Chon River, we were forced to cross with our equipment carried over our heads. Just as I was about to cross behind the several who were already in the water, enemy gunfire opened up directly upon us. It was a trap! In a moment the river turned crimson with the blood of my comrades. I fell to the ground, trying to take cover. But there was no cover. A steep

cliff blocked us from behind, the river lay ahead of us. The shower of bullets came even faster. My friends were dying all around me.”

He said, “In this moment of utter despair, I, this man who had never been to church, shouted in desperation, ‘Hananim, Hananim! God, Oh God!’ I knew no one else could save me. But I also knew in a moment that my heart was empty. I had no God. I saw no reason why God should favor me.

“In the next flashing instant, I firmly resolved, ‘Let me have God in my heart. I may die in the next ten seconds. Let me have faith in God in those ten seconds. Oh God, come into my heart!’ “ He said, “Then all I remember is that a miracle came.

American fighter bombers appeared in the sky and began to strike. This was our only chance to escape. I ordered my men to follow me. But there among the multitude, only three showed any sign of life. Yet I was alive and safe, without a scratch!” After this horrible experience, Col. Pak realized in humility that his life had been leased out to him, and the one holding the contract was God.

So in desperate fervor, he began his search for a clear direction. He knocked on the doors of many Christian churches. He searched through the Bible and he met many leaders of Oriental religions. But the more he searched, the greater became his frustration. He knew his heart was not yet kindled.

Finally in 1957 Col. Pak met Reverend Sun Myung Moon through his followers. For the next several days he listened intensely to Reverend Moon’s revealed truth of Divine Principle. He then truly experienced an explosion of spiritual fire. Something happened so quickly to his heart! His eyes deluged his cheeks with tears of joy and repentance. He said, “I became a person no longer afraid to die. I was assured I would not die in emptiness. I felt I could really be used as His tool.”

Since then, Col. Pak has spent the last 17 years in close friendship and intimate working relationship with Reverend Sun Myung Moon. He began teaching the Divine Principle while still on active military duty. He became accustomed to addressing thousands of native Koreans and proclaiming the new revelation that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

During Reverend Moon’s “Day of Hope” tours in 1972, 1973 and 1974, he was chosen and served as Reverend Moon’s interpreter and special assistant.

With his flair of evangelical fervor, Col. Pak is presently speaking on many U.S. campuses to young people eager to hear God’s voice in this modern age. Young Americans by the thousands will be filled with excitement as they are nourished with spiritual food.

For your inspiration tonight. I present to you Col. Bo Hi Pak.