Stranger Things

If numerous and subsequent propaganda pieces are any indication, The Korea Times is not in any danger of having its power cut by disgruntled followers of Jae-rock Lee.

After articles that can be described as journalistic, The Korea Times began publishing the propaganda of Jae-rock Lee. Those propaganda pieces are pieces that could well carry titles such "Man Visits Book Shop" and "Books Shown at Book Fair". Investigative journalism not exactly at its finest.

The earliest propaganda piece I found was published on November 12, 2009 and the most recent to date (Nov. 2017) was published 8 years later at the end of October 2017. I'll start with a couple of articles mentioning Jae-lee Rock that were published before the propaganda pieces began, and then it's onto the propaganda pieces. Those earlier pieces include interesting references to an ambassador's association with two cults: Lee's cult and Ock-soo Park's Good News Baptists via its International Youth Fellowship (IYF) front.

2007
October 28: Faith Complements Diplomatic Career (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/10/113_12667.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109092417/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/10/113_12667.html))
(The Korea Times - by Kim Se-jeong skim@koreatimes.co.kr)

QuoteFor the new Costa Rican ambassador, his religious conviction completes his personal life, and takes his diplomatic obligation to the next level. ... His religious conviction is the most visible when he is off-duty. He never misses any of the three services held on Sundays. Sometimes, he attends Friday night services, which start at 11 p.m. and end at 4 a.m. the next morning. His favorite book is the Bible. He is attending the Manmin Joongang Church, located in Guro-gu, from which several missionaries in Costa Rica are from, he said.

2008
July 6: Christians Denounce TV Program for Humanizing Jesus (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/07/113_27104.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109092522/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/07/113_27104.html))
(The Korea Times - by Bae Ji-sook bjs@koreatimes.co.kr)

QuoteA television documentary depicting Jesus as a human is drawing sharp criticism from Christian circles. ...This is the first time a local broadcasting TV network has tried to study Christianity itself rather than Christians. Their struggle against the media's allegations toward their belief also has a long history. MBC was invaded by groups of ManMin Church adherents who did not like their being labeled as a heretical cult in 1999

November 9: More Credits to Africa (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/11/113_34100.html) (Archived) (https://web.archive.org/web/20171109092700/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/11/113_34100.html)
(The Korea Times - by Kim Se-jeong skim@koreatimes.co.kr)

QuoteCosta Rican Ambassador to Seoul Fernando Borbon has rediscovered Africa as a land of hope through his first trip to the continent in August. ... A former acting pastor, he is registered as part of the congregation of the Good News Church and Manmin Church in Seoul. Borbon, along with nearly 200 young Christians, participated in the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Youth Camp held in Ghana.

2009
November 12: Christian Medical Conference Draws Global Attendance (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2009/11/135_55339.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109092801/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2009/11/135_55339.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one. Article ends: Visit http://www.wcdn.org)

QuoteDuring the Conference, an Australian Doctor Irene Jacovou (http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13960.html) presented a healing case of a 68-year-old man, and this was the most outstanding case of healing presented.

A Ukrainian Doctor Larisa from Ukraine presented the case of healing on hepatitis C by prayer, and this was really confirmed as the person of the same case firsthand showed up and testified to his healing. Another Australian doctor Mieke Kuiper presented the case of healing of eclampsia and subarachnoid hemorrhage by prayer. Two Korean doctors presented the cases of healing of the infected cystic mass in the submandibular area and the retroperitoneal necrotizing fascitis due to perforated acute appendicitis, with scientific and medical data confirming the healing cases. In addition, the many cases of the healing of various diseases including schizophrenia, pancreonecrosis, and AIDS that cannot be cured with medicine but only by the power of God.  :o

2010
June 3: Christian Medical Conference Seeks Best in Faith (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/06/113_67045.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109092842/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/06/113_67045.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one. Article ends: For more information, visit www.wcdnaustralia.org)

QuoteDivine healing cases manifested through Dr. Jaerock Lee, Founder & Board Chairman of WCDN and Senior Pastor of Manmin Central Church were presented, and the case of patient who was healed of stomach cancer by only prayer without receiving any medication, which was presented by Dr. Fidel Fernandez, pathologist from the Philippines startled many people in attendance.  :o

July 6: Dr. Jaerock Lee Publishes New Book on Fruits of Spirit (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2010/07/135_68915.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109092951/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2010/07/135_68915.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to janee@koreatimes.co.kr)

November 10: Estonia Miracle Healing Crusade 2010 Attracts Large Crowd (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2010/11/178_76118.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109093246/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2010/11/178_76118.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one. Photo courtesy Manmin Central Church)

QuoteDr. Lee has led mega-sized crusades in dozens of countries including Germany, Russia, India, USA, and Israel. At times tens of thousands, other times hundreds of thousands and even millions of people gathered. ... In addition, many people in attendance were healed of various diseases including cancers and heart diseases and restored poor eyesight by the great explosion of the Holy Spirit.  :o

2011
January 7: Recent Books (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2017/10/142_79309.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109093758/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2017/10/142_79309.html))
The Korea Times - Book review by Ines Min. Article attributed to chungay@koreatimes.co.kr)

QuoteThe ever controversial Dr. Jaerock Lee, senior pastor of the Manmin Central Church, has expanded his followers to Brazil, with the recent publication of his translated autobiography ``My Life, My Faith'' in Portuguese.

Following his life from his time of medical difficulties ― seven years of incurable diseases, according to Lee ― he became a born-again Christian in 1974 following a visit to a church. From there, the story details the founding of the Manmin Central Church in 1982, its expansion to include more than 100,000 followers, and its difficulties.

Surrounded by scandal and cult accusations, Lee was excommunicated from the Church of Holiness in 1990, disassociated from Israel's largest evangelical organization and the subject of investigative documentaries broadcast by MBC. But by 2009 he was named one of the top 10 most influential Christian leaders by the Christian Telegraph and his reach continues to spread. His story captures the ups and downs of the Manmin Church, an intriguing tale of one man versus the world.

Note: Looks to be a legitimate book review. A cult propaganda piece would not mention scandals, cult accusations, excommunication.

March 1: Lee's Books Featured in Israel Book Fair (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/05/293_82267.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109094304/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/05/293_82267.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to chungay@koreatimes.co.kr)

QuoteLee is senior pastor of the Manmin Central Church in Seoul, a 120,000-member international church, and was recently named as one of the "Top 10 Most Influential Christian Leaders in 2009 and 2010" by the Christian Telegraph newspaper. (http://www.christiantelegraph.com/search.php?search=jaerock) :o

March 18: Reverend Lees Challenges Inspire Faith in Readers (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2011/03/135_83380.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109094441/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2011/03/135_83380.html))
(The Korea Times - by Rev. Soundar Rajan Edward rajan.edward@yahoo.com )

QuoteAs we read this book, we learn how obedience and complete devotion can bear fruit spiritually and materially. :o

June 15: Christian Brisbane Conference Seeks Healing Through Faith (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/issues/2011/06/139_89080.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109094548/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/issues/2011/06/139_89080.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one)

QuoteThere were many other presentations on divine healing by the grace and power of the Lord: a young man whose cervical fracture had left him paralyzed from the waist down; a woman who had stopped receiving medication but been healed of prolactinoma by faith; a man who had been dying of cervical and cardiac laceration and was [highlight]miraculously brought back to life;[/highlight] and a few others who were healed of malignant lymphoma, serious shock after cholecystectomy, and other diseases.

Brochure (http://www.wcdnaustralia.com/pages/WCDN_Brochure.pdf). 

September 4: Costa Rica Ready for FTA with Korea in 2012 (//http://) (Archived) (https://web.archive.org/web/20171210145737/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/09/113_94183.html)
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one)

Quote"I am a career ambassador, but I'm also pastor of the Manmin Church of Korea, and as such, I hope to visit Korea at least four times a year to engage in our church, in summer retreats, and in the celebration in 2012 of the 30th anniversary of the inauguration of the Manmin Church of Korea."

Borbon will assume his post as the Ambassador to Guatemala. Ambassador Manuel Lopez-Trigo, an experienced diplomat in his own right, will be Costa Rica's new representative in Korea. He is expected to arrive in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Borbon described his time in Korea as a "blessing," adding that for the four years of his posting he has also been an "Ambassador of Jesus Christ" working as a pastor of the Manmin Church.

September 7: 'Spirit, Soul and Body' Published in Malaysia (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2011/09/135_94450.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171111162110/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2011/09/135_94450.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one)

QuoteIn the new book the author deals with the question "What did God, who existed all by Himself before all eternity, look like?"

2012
May 31: 9th Int'l Christian Medical Conference held in Kenya (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/issues/2012/05/139_112161.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171111161927/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/issues/2012/05/139_112161.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one)

QuoteAt the conference, eight divine healing cases were presented with medical data: four cases performed through Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee's prayers or after handkerchiefs sent from other countries that he prayed over were laid on patients.

June 29: Dr. Jaerock Lee's Books Attract Attention (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2016/05/142_114150.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171111161536/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2016/05/142_114150.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr)

QuoteThe booth's ambience allowed visitors to enjoy a feeling of comfort as though they were in a personal library in Heaven. 8)

2014
November 4: International Theologian Publishes Sermon in Seven Languages (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/11/142_167507.html) (Archived) (http://web.archive.org/web/20180416024356/http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/11/142_167507.html)
(The Korea Times - by Kwon Ji-youn jykwon@ktimes.co.kr)

QuoteProf. Kim Byung-jong of Seoul National University has endorsed the book. Kim teaches oriental painting at the university, and his work was presented to the Chinese president Xi Jin Ping during his visit to Seoul on July 4. "Through this magnificent drama about the Book of Job, I have come to understand that the ultimate goal of Rev. Lee Jae-rock's ministry of healing of the body and spirit he dreams is to lead as many people to the kingdom of heaven," Kim wrote in his endorsement. ...

Rev. Lee, senior pastor of the Manmin Central Church in Seoul, is currently chairman of the United Holiness Church of Jesus Christ and [highlight]permanent president[/highlight] of the World Christianity Revival Mission Association.

December 14: Spiritual Leader's Autobiography Published in 34 Languages (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/03/142_169846.html)
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one)

QuoteMy Life, My Faith 1 (//http://) the first of a two-part autobiography by international spiritual leader Dr. Jaerock Lee, has been published in 34 languages, including English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Initially, the book was published in Korean in 2006, and it has since been translated into other languages: Asian languages, including Indonesian, Japanese, Tagalog and Vietnamese; and European languages, including Albanian, Armenian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian.

Tidbits: The paperback (https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Faith-Lee-Jaerock/dp/8975572471/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468326116&sr=1-2-fkmr0&keywords=Dr.+Jaerock+Lee+my+life) and eBook (https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Faith-x2160-ebook/dp/B0071M7GMU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468326116&sr=1-1&keywords=Dr.+Jaerock+Lee+my+life) English editions on Amazon have a combined total of zero reviews as of July 12, 2016. The sequel, My Life, My Faith 2, (https://www.amazon.com/Mi-Vida-x2161-Life-Faith/dp/897557508X/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468326350&sr=1-3-fkmr0&keywords=Dr.+Jaerock+Lee+My+Life%2C+My+Faith+2) is only available on Amazon in Spanish; it also has zero reviews. This 48 cent paperback (https://www.amazon.com/My-Life-Faith-Jaerock-Lee/dp/898839013X/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468326469&sr=1-3-fkmr1&keywords=Dr.+Jaerock+Lee+My+Life%2C+My+Faith+2) edition has one glowing review: "wow Love this book !!!1." Excerpts from part 1 (https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=DihEBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT2&lpg=PT2&dq=my+life+my+faith+dr+jaerock+lee&source=bl&ots=QXQtZXEqrY&sig=AsiTheoeffsVj5oeMEA26LyhEuw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi85cf79u3NAhXDQpQKHZ8VDWgQ6AEILzAE#v=onepage&q=my%20life%20my%20faith%20dr%20jaerock%20lee&f=false) and part 2 (https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=eYZHBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT2&lpg=PT2&dq=my+life+my+faith+dr+jaerock+lee&source=bl&ots=5J9xp2MYIL&sig=q5bd5K0-3GYKOBDOGPLW_L6o1mA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi85cf79u3NAhXDQpQKHZ8VDWgQ6AEIJjAC#v=onepage&q=my%20life%20my%20faith%20dr%20jaerock%20lee&f=false) can be browsed courtesy of Google Books.

2015
March 2: Urim Books Featured at New Delhi World Book Fair (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/03/135_174403.html)
(The Korea Times - Attributed to jhdo@koreatimes.co.kr. Photo courtesy of Urim Book)

QuoteAmong the titles, the series book" Spirit, Soul and Body(2)" had the visitors' attention. In the book, Dr. Lee writes: [highlight]"We can stop not only typhoons but also other natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions or earthquakes if we utilize the spiritual space.[/highlight] We can just cover the source of volcano eruption or the earthquake with the space of God, and these things can be made possible when it is right according to the justice of God. For example, to stop a disaster that causes damage at a national level, the leader of the country is supposed to ask for the prayer." :o

October 23: International Delegation Visits Urim Books (http://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/10/135_189342.html)
(The Korea Times - Attributed to ejbae@ktimes.com. Photo courtesy of Urim Books)

QuoteAccording to the list of literary works by the number of translations cited in Wikipedia, the Bible continues to be the most translated book in the world. The list also includes the following books authored by Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, senior pastor of Manmin Central Church: "The Message of the Cross" (57 languages) and "My Life, My Faith" (35 languages). :o

2016
January 6: DR Congo Official Visits Urim Books (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2016/01/142_194781.html)
(The Korea Times - Attributed to ysy@ktimes.com. Photo courtesy of Urim Books)

QuotePengo thanked Rev. Lee for his prayers for the African country on Sept. 21, 2014, hoping for the termination of the Ebola disease. Pengo claimed that the prayer "stopped the spread of the Ebola virus and [highlight]no casualties occurred.[/highlight]"

July 8: Lee Jae-rok's Books Featured at Int'l Christian Show (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2016/07/178_208975.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109095758/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/people/2016/07/178_208975.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one. Photo courtesy of Urim Books)

2017:
June 30: Urim Books CEO to lead CBA Korea Organization (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2017/07/142_232221.html) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171109095851/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2017/07/142_232221.html))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to no one. Photo courtesy of Urim Books)

QuoteAs the CEO of Christian publisher Urim Books and a board member of Korean Publishers Association, Mr. Noh serves as a visionary leader of the publishing industry. Urim Books has published more than 450 Christian titles authored by Dr. Jaerock Lee in 75 languages including English, French, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Hebrew. Dr. Lee's Manmin Central Church has 11,000 branches and associative churches around the world, according to Warren Bird, Director of Research and Intellectual Capital in the U.S.

October 29: The 14th International Christian Medical Conference Was Held in Russia (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/common/vpage-pt.asp?categorycode=142&newsidx=238391) (Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20171112061908/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/common/vpage-pt.asp?categorycode=142&newsidx=238391))
(The Korea Times - Attributed to: ejbae@ktimes.com)

QuoteThe six divine healing cases that were presented in this Conference concerned the healing of arthritis, acute appendicitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, complex fractures, blindness, and strabismus that had occurred by the prayer of Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee. In particular, the healing of blindness where a blind person opened his eyes amazed many medical doctors because it is the same miracle as the Lord Jesus performed.

Here's the full Korea Times piece on one of the group's websites. (https://web.archive.org/web/20180630145215/http://wcdnindia.org/news/the-14th-wcdn-international-christian-medical-conference-was-held-in-russia/) (Internet Archive

A shorter version that omits the above paragraph (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-14th-international-christian-medical-conference-was-held-in-russia-under-auspices-of-wcdn-300541781.html) was posted here one week earlier, so the Korea Times piece was not likely written by the Korea Times staff member whose email is included at the end of the article. That usually denotes authorship, doesn't it?

A few related tidbits.
Korean language article that explores recent propaganda pieces from The Heavenly Mother's Church of God.
http://m.news.naver.com/read.nhn?mode=LSD&sid1=001&oid=005&aid=0001042901

A Google translation offers some interesting details about the campaign and its target audience:

QuoteA typical example is the A Daily Planning section. On September 26, A Daily created a four-page feature section and introduced the Church of God on a massive scale. It seemed to put the reporter's name and e-mail address up to the reliability of the article, but it was actually advertising. "The Church of God has become a haven for the world because of the love of Mother God," A Daily Newspaper praised God's church, "establishing over 5,000 local churches in 175 countries and growing more than two times over two years." ....

Kim Jung-wook (61), who left the church at the highest level of God's church in 2014, said, "Even in the church leadership of God, there is a problem with the doctrine, a sense of crisis that the truth is not spreading and spread to the believers. The advertising side is for internal crackdown, but the believers do not even know it is an advertisement. " Kim said, "When I was in the job, I spent a lot of money on it," he said. ....

Jin Yong-sik, president of Korea Christian Ethics Advisory Council, said, "Since the heretics are very sensitive to the press, they set up their own media response team and operate a 24-hour surveillance system." The fact that they advertise in media companies is also an "insurance" Is not well known. "

The Korea Times' contribution to that campaign:
https://www.pressreader.com/korea-republic/the-korea-times/20170927/282144996536676

Korea Times CEO welcome message:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www2/common/ceo.asp

The Contact Us (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www2/common/contactus.asp) page mentions a code of ethics:
"The Korea Times observes the Press Code of Ethics and the Standard of Conduct of Newspapermen."

A 1997 version is available here. (https://accountablejournalism.org/ethics-codes/South-Korea-Press)

QuoteWe the journalists declare that the press ought to be independent from various external forces of influence such as politics, businesses, societal interest groups, and religious units.  We will resolutely reject any external attempt to interfere with, or unduly use, the press.

Also, the Urim Books homepage (http://www.urimbooks.com/en/urim_0301.asp) offers this about its sole author:

QuoteHis Christian columns appear on The Hankook Ilbo, The JoongAng Daily, The Chosun Ilbo, The Dong-A Ilbo, The Munhwa Ilbo, The Seoul Shinmun, The Kyunghyang Shinmun, The Korea Economic Daily, The Korea Herald, The Shisa News, and The Christian Press. 

A little more about those columns here. (http://news.manmin.or.kr/2012/en/pdf/En_445.pdf)

I'm having trouble finding such columns. The Korea Times is a curious omission from that rather long list.

Hurricane Irma stopped by Lee's prayers: http://news.manmin.or.kr/2012/en/content.asp?id=3917&cat=cat_01

I read with utter dismay this calling out of fake news (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2017/12/667_241651.html) by The Korea Times' Managing Editor of Digital Content, Oh Young-jin. I assume he had nothing to do with the above cult pieces as he's new to that particular post, but I'm still enjoying the irony.

Quote....The statement was aimed at protecting our paper's reputation and the integrity of our reporting to ensure readers can count on what we say. After all, the media's primary mission is to inform the public and help it make critical decisions, perhaps including ones that can make a difference between life and death.

Pleasantly surprised to see The Korea Times, courtesy of intern Jin Yu-young, mention Jaerock Lee in a piece that wasn't penned by his own followers. Background - Lee was recently arrested on rape charges. (http://jmscult.com/forum/index.php?topic=1369.0) I wasn't sure the Korea Times would ever mention that.

May 7: Buddhist Monk, Pastor Embroiled in Sexual Scandals (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2018/05/293_248582.html) (The Korea Times - Archived (http://web.archive.org/web/20180507233550/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2018/05/293_248582.html))

A nice allusion to the above courtesy of Korea Times columnist Jacco Zwetsloot as he reminisces over his experiences with Korean religions.

May 13: My Life at a Korean Law Firm Part 18 (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2018/05/727_248858.html) (The Korea Times)

QuoteIn the early 2000s, I was looking for work as a freelance English-to-Korean translator. That was before I learned that I was not cut out for that kind of work (a story for another time). One job advertisement that kept appearing was looking for someone to translate the sermons and writings of an apparently famous pastor into several languages, so that his teaching might be made known to the outside world.

Skeptical and cautious, I checked on Google and found that not only was he controversial, but his own church network had been kicked out of the Christian Council of Korea for heresy in 1999. I decided not to pursue that work offer after all. That was probably for the best; the minister now stands accused of multiple charges of rape.

Nevertheless, somebody definitely did translate his texts, because this paper has reported several times over the last decade in what one might generously call an uncritical way about this particular pastor publishing books in more than 70 languages, and leading healing and conversion crusades in countries around the world.