The Work of the Holy Spirit and the Model of the Early Church
Acts 6 is a representative passage that vividly shows how the early church experienced revival, resolved internal conflicts, and established its church structure. Centering on this text, Pastor David Jang has often emphasized how the Holy Spirit first molded the church and how we should view the problems and their solutions within the church from a biblical perspective. He points out that the entire Book of Acts holds the key to understanding the church’s revival and the work of the Holy Spirit. When believers are filled with resurrection faith and boldly testify to the gospel, large crowds flock to the church. At that point, the church must systematically prepare for matters of relief and service, he insists.
Acts 6:1 begins with the phrase, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing…” This indicates that during a time of revival, a multitude of people was pouring into the church. As believers testified of the risen Jesus and experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, fear dissipated and boldness arose, causing the gospel to spread rapidly. Not only were the early Christians filled with resurrection faith, but through repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit, they had no fear whatsoever when proclaiming the gospel. Consequently, countless people throughout Jerusalem were drawn to the church, and naturally, the number of disciples increased.
However, when the number of believers grows explosively, it inevitably brings about various problems within the community. Acts 6 introduces the first instance of internal conflict: the Hellenistic Jewish widows complaining of being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. Hellenistic Jews spoke Greek, often having originally lived in Greek cultural regions and then returning to Jerusalem in their later years, adhering to the idea that “one returns to their origins before death.” Because the temple was in Jerusalem, and the land symbolized God’s promise and presence, the elderly, widows, and the poor frequently gathered there. Meanwhile, the native inhabitants of Jerusalem mostly spoke Aramaic (related to Hebrew), which naturally created two groups within the church: the “Hellenistic Jews” and the “Hebraic Jews,” differentiated by language and culture.
The immediate problem arose over relief efforts, specifically the “bread issue.” According to Jewish tradition, on Friday evenings it was customary to share bread with the poor. The early church inherited this beautiful tradition and sought to live as a community, but as the number of believers grew, some members risked being marginalized and excluded. The Hellenistic Jewish widows were repeatedly left out of the daily distribution, leading them to grumble against the Hebraic Jews. This revealed linguistic and cultural differences within the community, showing that even in moments of revival, human conflicts could arise in stark reality.
Explaining this passage, Pastor David Jang emphasizes that when a church grows rapidly, the very first task is to “create a system.” A church, as a community, has both a spiritual aspect and a practical aspect. There must be those who devote themselves entirely to preaching and prayer, and there must be those who oversee relief efforts, manage finances, and supply food. Just as there is both front-line mission and support mission, someone must set the table so that those listening to the Word can focus on the message without distraction. This is analogous to Martha and Mary in Luke 10. While Mary, who listened to Jesus, is precious, Martha, who prepared the meal, also played a valuable role. As the church grows by evangelizing many people, inevitably the question arises: “How will we address the practical needs—how do we feed and sustain everyone?”
To resolve this issue, the Twelve Apostles gathered all the disciples together to discuss the greater purpose and to confer collectively. Rather than one individual dictating everything, they openly and fairly heard and consolidated the community’s opinion before drawing a conclusion. That conclusion was: “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.” The apostles, who were responsible for preaching and prayer, realized they needed to appoint new workers to take charge of the relief efforts. This concept introduced at this moment is what we commonly refer to as “deacons” (from the Greek diakonos or diakon).
Pastor David Jang refers to this process often, stating that the principle of church revival can be found in the Book of Acts. According to his preaching, once a church has grown significantly, it absolutely needs a system of management and service; only when that system functions properly does the community minimize grumbling and discontent. Indeed, he frequently shares personal anecdotes from his early days planting churches in Korea. While he and about a few dozen to a hundred members managed to share food and finances to get by initially, once the church grew beyond that, it became impossible to cope without a more concrete system. Early on, he even resorted to selling kitchen scrubbers himself to secure church finances, while devising strategies for mutual support within the community.
Pastor David Jang also emphasizes that church growth can never be achieved merely by management techniques or worldly strategies. He insists that the fundamental impetus for revival lies in the preaching of the gospel and the Holy Spirit moving people’s hearts. Hence, before focusing on outward operational methods, the church must first be built on the Word of God. Prayer and preaching must work in balance with relief and service. Following the model of the early church, those who preach (the apostles) should devote themselves to proclamation and prayer, while those who handle relief, finances, and administration (the deacons) establish structures that reduce chaos. When that happens, grumbling naturally diminishes and the church flourishes. Ultimately, a church must not emphasize one aspect alone or rely solely on one group of specialists. Rather, both the front line and the support, prayer and administration, teaching and service must work in harmony to build a true community.
Extending this idea, Pastor David Jang stresses that the church requires a variety of offices and gifts. As an example, he mentions Judas Iscariot, who was in charge of finances among Jesus’ disciples but lacked the spiritual wisdom to handle money properly, thus falling into temptation. He teaches that those responsible for money or relief in the church must be even more filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom, for it is no small responsibility. Otherwise, like Judas, they can easily fall into temptation. Therefore, when the early church chose deacons, they specifically looked for people “full of the Spirit and wisdom” who had a good reputation; from among these individuals emerged Stephen, a figure of great significance.
In summary, the early church model established by the Holy Spirit reveals these principles: People who possess resurrection faith boldly proclaim the gospel, leading many to join the church. As numbers increase, practical difficulties such as administration, finances, and relief efforts surface. Church leaders address these issues by convening everyone, seeking consensus, and appointing deacons to oversee relief distribution. The result is summarized in Acts 6:7, “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” This illustrates how proper delegation and a service structure not only resolved discontent but also solidified church revival. Through that process, remarkable individuals like Stephen emerged, further advancing the gospel.
Pastor David Jang doesn’t stop at Acts 6 but draws attention to the continued journey of the early church, including Stephen’s sermon and subsequent martyrdom. Stephen’s death became a kind of catalyst that led the gospel to spread beyond Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. And behind it all was the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. This paradoxically demonstrates that even when the church faces internal problems, if resolved in God’s way, they can lead to further revival and expansion.
Pastor David Jang also often testifies, drawing from various ministries he has led, about the extraordinary outcomes that occur when the early church model is applied in modern times. For instance, when a church is being transformed into a global mission hub, not only are “people who pray” and “people who teach the Word” necessary, but so are “those who manage finances and handle relief.” Going further, he insists that medical teams, construction teams, prophetic ministries, and professionals from a variety of fields must work closely together to build a church suited for our contemporary world. If each person is truly filled with the Holy Spirit, they will joyfully serve in their assigned place and collectively experience even greater blessings through one another.
He especially recounts past experiences establishing branch churches or mission stations in multiple locations. Initially, people worried, “How will we feed so many people and secure the finances?” However, he repeatedly experienced that God always provides. In some instances, they funded the ministry by selling goods themselves; in other cases, believers in supporting roles worked diligently to earn money, sending it to those serving on the front lines. All of this, he explains, happened under the “diakonos (deacon) spirit” within the church. He firmly believes such a church structure is the very prototype that the Book of Acts testifies to.
Hence, church revival does not happen automatically by prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit alone; tangible service and relief must be well-organized and managed so that synergy can be maximized. The ideal cooperative model demonstrated by the early church resembles the house where both Martha and Mary served together, each honoring and respecting the other’s service. Those who preach the Word can devote themselves to it more fully, and those tasked with helping and distributing resources can handle finances, meals, and daily living, supporting the entire community. But if either side fails to function effectively, the community quickly loses balance, leading to increased dissatisfaction and complaining.
The key to this balance is appointing people who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Whether it is preaching or relief work, the fullness of the Holy Spirit must be foremost so that their commitment will not waver. Particularly in financial or administrative ministry, wisdom is crucial. Without spiritual insight when handling finances and people, one risks focusing only on numbers or profit, easily falling into temptation. Yet when the church appoints people grounded in the fullness of the Spirit, complaints fade, and the community is filled with peace and joy. Consequently, “the word of God spreads” and the gospel influences the surrounding region.
Pastor David Jang recounts how, whenever he planted a church in various nations and cities, the most challenging issue was “fear regarding relief, finances, and administration.” But each time, relying on Acts 6, he sought the Holy Spirit’s guidance, preserving prayer and the ministry of the Word while identifying suitable individuals to entrust with service and relief, laying hands on them in prayer. Once that structure was in place, preaching intensified, and new souls felt cared for through the provision of food and necessities, gaining a sense of stability that allowed them to remain in the church.
Pastor David Jang doesn’t stop there. As the church expands, he says, it must integrate buildings or mission centers, medical services, education, support teams, and frontline missions in a comprehensive system. In his ministry experience, he has indeed established international headquarters where leaders from diverse fields gather to collaborate for global missions and the worldwide growth of the church. He insists that such accomplishments could never happen by human planning alone; rather, they are only possible by walking the path God has prepared, step by step, led by the Spirit. That is why, once again, he emphasizes adherence to the principles found in the early church.
Still, Pastor David Jang acknowledges that such expansion is never entirely smooth. As a church grows larger, the potential for complaints also grows. When people from different languages and cultures mingle, subtle frictions can arise. Just as the Jerusalem church saw tensions between the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews, the modern church can also experience conflicts among international believers and local congregants. In those times, the solution again lies in the Acts 6 model: “Appoint deacons and collectively discuss and resolve problems.” Rather than a handful of leaders dictating decisions unilaterally, it is right to gather everyone, allow them to speak, and through that process discover people filled with wisdom and the Spirit, granting them both responsibility and authority.
In the scene of appointing deacons, the most crucial part is that “the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6). This shows that deaconship is not a minor post focusing solely on relief, but rather a serious responsibility officially delegated by the church’s spiritual authority, receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Consequently, the members “were pleased with this proposal” (Acts 6:5). When the church, with its spiritual authority, sets apart deacons, complaining subsides, uniting everyone in joy. The result is “the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”
Pastor David Jang stresses that the modern church must not lose sight of this pattern. Therefore, whenever he establishes churches, he underscores that “the early church had the gospel message, the power of the Holy Spirit, and an organized system of relief and service working together.” If the church focuses only on spiritual ministry or, conversely, overemphasizes service and relief, balance is lost. When the two axes operate in harmony, the Holy Spirit works mightily, and the community exerts a positive influence on the world.
He also mentions that church members frequently ask, “How will we handle finances? How can we manage overseas missions?” or “If a new church is planted, how will we cope when the congregation grows?” In response, he refers to the story in Acts 6. Just as the early church, confronted with a sudden influx of new believers, was compelled to appoint relief workers, so the modern church, by establishing those filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom in various roles, will find that God opens the way. Like paying the temple tax with the shekel retrieved from a fish’s mouth, he believes that as we evangelize and see the church expand, God provides new ways and resources. Hence he advocates, “First preach the gospel, and God will open the door of provision.”
Yet Pastor David Jang also emphasizes that as the church grows and the scope of ministry broadens, reliance on the Holy Spirit must only deepen. Human ideas and plans meet their limits sooner or later. Management techniques may bring short-lived growth, but true spiritual influence and sustainable community-building can only happen through the Holy Spirit’s work. Thus, the significance of prayer and preaching in the early church cannot be overstated, and neither can the importance of diakonos—the ministry of deacons. When these two elements move in tandem, the church is firmly established, and God’s Kingdom advances.
He often cites the model of the Antioch church as well. Antioch had both those devoted to prayer and teaching, and those providing support, ultimately sending out missionaries. In Acts 13, we see Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul gathered in fasting and prayer. Then the Holy Spirit says, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” From there, Paul’s global mission begins. Behind that, the Antioch church offers strong support from home. Pastor David Jang argues that today’s churches likewise need to build solid communities incorporating areas such as prayer, preaching, relief, administration, missions, prophetic ministry, and more—possibly seven or more domains—expanding their capacity for healthy, holistic ministry.
He sometimes remarks, “To embrace these seven areas in our church is extremely demanding, but that’s the path the early church showed us.” He points out that a medical team, for instance, is indispensable for caring for sick believers, and that the church can make a significant contribution to local outreach by providing medical and welfare services. Construction experts are needed to erect church buildings and mission centers solidly. Education experts are also necessary, as are those with prophetic gifting, and administrative professionals to run the church efficiently. When these various offices work organically within a single church, a natural revival ensues and believers experience abundant grace through one another.
Of course, Pastor David Jang stresses that no matter how good a system is, it will soon collapse if not built on the Holy Spirit’s leading and the Word of God. Any system constructed by humans alone is imperfect and can fail at any time. However, as in Acts 6, when the church appoints individuals filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom to take charge of service, the results can be astounding. “The Holy Spirit and wisdom” are two essential traits the church needs in order to minister to the world. Without wisdom, one descends into chaos; without the Spirit, one lacks spiritual power. Only when these two come together can the church achieve steady growth and powerful spiritual revival simultaneously.
Recalling how he expanded ministry in the United States, Europe, and Asia, Pastor David Jang says that “there were always deacon-like individuals in the background.” These people handled finances, operations, relief, and administration, strengthening the church from behind the scenes. He states that he was able to preach, pray, and teach on the front lines because of the devoted helpers working tirelessly in the background. Hence, he continually emphasizes that “if frontline mission is valuable, so is support mission.” For the work of those on the front lines to shine, the helping hands in the rear must remain steadfast.
Through this entire process, the church ultimately becomes filled with God’s Word and achieves revival. Acts 6:7 summarizes this outcome: “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Previously, the church was mostly expanding among ordinary people, but now even the religious leaders (priests) have come to accept the gospel. This shows that the church’s influence in society was broadening beyond mere numerical growth. The catalyst for this development was resolving a seemingly mundane “relief and bread issue.”
Pastor David Jang describes this principle as “Without bread, the gospel loses its power.” If we neglect the basic human needs of food and livelihood, people cannot tangibly feel the love of God. Conversely, if the church only emphasizes the Word and neglects genuine relief and service, its message to the world can ring hollow. The fact that the early church shared all their possessions so that there were no needy among them (Acts 2:44–45; 4:34–35) underscores this dual focus. Pastor David Jang vigorously states that this principle must be applied to today’s church. He advises those preparing to plant churches or already operating them never to overlook the lesson of Acts 6.
He also frequently notes another point: “In moments of revival, tests inevitably come.” Just as Acts 6 reveals complaining within the church, it is often at the height of expansion that conflicts arise. Yet overcoming these obstacles can lead the church to another level of maturity and strength. Rather than only advancing until they hit a wall, when a church goes through trials and conflicts and overcomes them by faith, the community forms an even deeper and broader spiritual foundation. Thus, “Do not be afraid; operate by God’s principles. When appointing people, insist on the fullness of the Spirit and wisdom,” is his unwavering advice.
Pastor David Jang has applied these principles across various churches and ministry fields, both at home and abroad. In every region where he has established churches, he first assessed the community’s needs, opening doors to the gospel through relief and service. As people gathered, he prayed with them and formed a preaching team, solidifying the church’s spiritual foundation. At the same time, he developed a diakonos team to handle finances and administration, guiding the congregation toward self-sufficiency. As needed, he integrated cultural ministries, medical outreach, and educational initiatives, building an ecosystem for multifaceted growth. Once a region was firmly established, the ministry naturally extended to other regions. This is reminiscent of the early church’s trajectory, expanding from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and ultimately to the ends of the earth.
Over time, as revival bore fruit, the churches under his leadership exhibited a diversity of offices and spiritual gifts. Some specialized in prayer and preaching, others in relief and administration, still others in medical work, education, or missions. Pastor David Jang calls this “the church shining like seven lampstands, each illuminating a different area.” One lampstand alone cannot produce enough light. But if all seven shine together, their light reaches far more broadly.
He extends this principle further with expressions like “SCRIBE 400,” drawing an analogy to how Confucius once lived with 200 disciples, engaging in constant discussion. Pastor David Jang applies it spiritually, arguing that the church likewise needs a core group devoted to deeper biblical study, discussion, and prayer in the Holy Spirit. And throughout this process, all believers must remember the essential equality they share in the “image of God.” Acts 6 indicates that the Twelve Apostles convened the entire congregation and sought their input, demonstrating that the early church already practiced a structure of equality and openness within.
Pastor David Jang has devoted more than 30 years to ministry under the banner “Build the church according to Scripture,” and this principle of Acts 6 has always been the cornerstone of his endeavors. Indeed, the communities he leads around the globe assign prayer and preaching teams (for evangelism and teaching) and diakonos teams (for relief, support, finances, and administration) in a balanced way, fostering growth. To this day, they continue to refine and improve these systems, striving to extend God’s Kingdom further.
Naturally, human frailty, conflict, and external obstacles have arisen throughout the process. Nevertheless, he reminds everyone that “the early church underwent the same problems,” so instead of becoming discouraged, they returned to prayer and the Word, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Consequently, whenever issues surfaced within the church, they viewed them as opportunities to strengthen their structure. Over time, members of the congregation became familiar with the Acts 6 model and recognized both the importance and the gravity of the deacon’s office, praying and serving together to build up the church.
In conclusion, Pastor David Jang emphasizes that Acts 6 presents a roadmap for church growth, relief ministries, and the emergence of the deacon’s ministry, clarifying where churches today should be headed. When the ministry of the Word and prayer is balanced with the ministry of relief and service, complaints subside and “the word of God spreads,” leading to more disciples. That growth is not merely numerical but also influential, to the point that even the priests submitted to the faith. This model of the early church is the essence that contemporary churches must recover, and it is the key point Pastor David Jang has consistently preached.
Finally, he sums up all of this in one sentence: “Do it according to the Bible.” He says, “Just build the church the way the Bible prescribes. If you read carefully how the Holy Spirit first created the church—recognizing that path and His method—and apply it, anyone can witness church revival.” This is what he underscores each time he reflects on Acts 6, expressing his resolve to replicate the history of the early church. When a church is filled with resurrection faith, longs to receive the Holy Spirit, and fosters close cooperation between those who preach the Word and those who serve and provide relief, a fearless and bold witness arises. People come flocking in, and any conflicts that result serve as catalysts for stronger church structures. By repeating this process, the church grows increasingly robust, ultimately spreading the gospel throughout the world.
Pastor David Jang has carried this vision into countless church plants, mission endeavors, and diakonos ministries both within and outside of his home country. He hopes to continue building churches on the foundation laid out in Scripture, believing this to be the most secure and certain way to overcome the church’s challenges and sustain revival. The early church has already shown us the solution; simply by following that principle, any church in any culture or era can flourish. And at the heart of this, those who endlessly serve and teach while holding onto the Acts 6 model of ministry will certainly experience God’s astounding work.
The Role of Diakonos (Deacons) and the Community
Acts 6 is critically important in church history because it narrates the official establishment of the office of “deacon.” Faced with the practical need for “relief” as the church rapidly grew, the church selected “seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom” and laid hands on them, inaugurating the deacon’s ministry. Among these seven, Stephen stands out as the most prominent figure, while Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch were also chosen.
Pastor David Jang interprets this passage to show that the deacon’s ministry is not simply a lower-tier office handling chores and administration, but an extremely important responsibility within the church. The fact that the early church specifically looked for men “full of the Spirit and wisdom” demonstrates that managing church finances and relief is of profound spiritual and practical significance. Deacons were responsible for distributing bread and caring for the poor within the community, as well as administering the church’s finances with transparency and efficiency. When tangible care is provided in this way, those responsible for preaching the Word (the apostles) can devote themselves fully to prayer and the proclamation of Scripture.
Pastor David Jang asserts that “properly appointing deacons” is vital for church growth, even today. For him, a “deacon” is not just a position bestowed after the church has expanded; rather, it is a foundational pillar to be considered from the onset of any church plant. Once membership increases, the church must quickly identify and appoint capable people to handle finances and relief. But this cannot be done arbitrarily; they must be like Stephen—passionate in spirit and endowed with remarkable wisdom—to mediate any complaints arising between different cultural groups, such as the Hellenistic and Hebraic Jews in the early church context.
Pastor David Jang often refers to an anecdote from his own experience planting a church in Korea. During a time of severe financial constraints, he personally went out to sell kitchen scrubbers to maintain the church. He uses this story to illustrate that eventually, “someone must fulfill the ‘deacon-like role.’” The time he spent selling scrubbers was merely an “emergency mode” for the early stage of church planting, not a long-term ideal structure. “It is very difficult for the same person who preaches to also be solely in charge of relief,” he says. Therefore, when deacons step in to manage operations and relief, pastors and those who preach the Word can dedicate themselves more thoroughly to prayer and teaching. Indeed, because the early church achieved this model, the Jerusalem church overcame internal conflicts and saw further revival.
Moreover, Pastor David Jang views deacons as a “central pivot connecting frontline and support missions.” As the church moves to reach the nations with the gospel, a robust system of material and spiritual support must be in place behind the scenes. This is akin to a military’s supply lines. Thus, deacons orchestrate these supply lines across various dimensions. When a church expands, the needs for relief also swell, financial demands grow, and operations become more complex. If the church has well-established deacons, expansion can proceed smoothly. Otherwise, it may face internal fractures despite its outward growth.
Pastor David Jang insists that “being full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” is paramount. Over the course of ministry, financial matters often prove a stumbling block for many. Judas Iscariot, for example, handled the finances among Jesus’ disciples but spiritually stumbled because he lacked the foundation to manage money righteously. Stephen, by contrast, was the opposite. Though he was chosen as a deacon, he preached with tremendous power, and he refused to cower when debating religious authorities, being filled with wisdom and the Word of God. This confirms that the early church did not simply say, “Anyone can handle relief,” but instead followed strict spiritual criteria in their selection process.
The same principle applies to modern churches. Appointing someone as a deacon solely because they are a financial or administrative professional can be risky if they lack spiritual maturity and do not rely on the Holy Spirit. If those responsible for church finances lack an unshakable spiritual perspective, the church can easily lapse into worldly calculations. On the other hand, choosing a zealously spiritual person who lacks practical skills can result in disorganized operations. Hence both “the Spirit” and “wisdom” are essential. In that way, deacons become “people of good reputation,” trusted within and outside the church community, performing true deaconal ministry.
Pastor David Jang describes the deacon’s role as akin to “Martha rather than Mary, but also requiring spiritual insight.” Without Martha, no one prepares the table, but Martha must also remain open to Jesus’ teachings, never forgetting the essence of the Word. If relief and administration in the church boil down to mere volunteering, they may lack spiritual vitality. But when service, administration, the Word, and spiritual life fuse together as in the early church, the community experiences extensive internal and external growth.
Examining the many churches and mission organizations Pastor David Jang manages, one notes a concerted effort in these areas. They prioritize transparent and efficient financial management along with structured plans for relief work, all undergirded by prayer and spiritual discernment. It is not merely an executive board adopting secular management techniques; rather, they rely on the Holy Spirit, gathering the wisdom of fellow workers and seeking consensus. The core team responsible is composed of individuals functioning as deacons. They frequently meet to discuss needs, conditions on the ground, and how to allocate relief efforts and resources. The result is a stable church that continues to grow.
Furthermore, Pastor David Jang reflects deeply on the word diakonos (Greek for “servant”), underscoring its meaning of “one who serves.” This service is critically important within the church, equal in significance to other types of ministry. Where deacons are firmly established, the church naturally develops a culture of detailed service and care. As a result, believers experience a “Spirit-filled community without distinctions,” and the church tangibly demonstrates God’s love in action.
Ultimately, the larger the church becomes, the more indispensable deacons become. The early church recognized this immediately, and modern churches must likewise follow suit. Acts 6 simultaneously explains why deacons are necessary, how they should be chosen, and what fruit can be expected from their ministry. It is also a central message Pastor David Jang repeatedly preaches and applies in his work.
The Path to Church Revival and Present-Day Application
Pastor David Jang maintains that the modern church should fully embrace the principles found in Acts 6. He consistently reiterates his core message: “If the church follows the pattern the Holy Spirit displayed when He first formed it, the church can revive in any era and any setting.” His ministry experiences provide real-life confirmation that when a balance of evangelism, prayer, and structured service and relief is achieved—and when the work is upheld by a solid team of deacon-like individuals—remarkable growth ensues.
First and foremost, the church must hold onto the foundational premise: “Be filled with resurrection faith, and boldly proclaim the gospel.” From Acts 2 to 5, when the early church testified to the risen Jesus, many listeners were captivated by the astounding news and flocked to the church. When believers are convinced of the power of the resurrection, they have no fear of the world. Their unflinching testimony acts like a contagion, causing the church to grow explosively. Pastor David Jang notes, “Church revival ultimately begins with how many people are convinced of the power of Christ’s resurrection. When they no longer fear even death, the world begins to fear the church instead.”
However, as people surge into the church, practical issues like feeding and caring for the community inevitably come to the surface. In the early church, it took the shape of provisioning for widows in Jerusalem, and modern churches must also tackle a multitude of demands for help and pastoral care. At this juncture, Pastor David Jang insists, the church’s choice is crucial. “If the apostles themselves had managed the finances and the distribution of relief, the work of preaching and prayer might have been stifled,” he says, referencing how the early church addressed the problem by establishing a specialized group of deacons. And the selection criteria was that they be “full of the Spirit and wisdom, and well-regarded by all.”
Implementing this is never easy. Even in the early church, they had to carefully deliberate how to harmonize language and cultural differences when appointing Greek-speaking deacons. Yet Pastor David Jang believes the same process, executed transparently and wisely, can be applied to the present-day, multicultural church. In his personal experience leading multinational congregations, he observed that some people use English, some use the local language, while others speak Korean or another language. But when dedicated deacons stood in the gap to help manage potential misunderstandings, the church found more stability and steady revival.
Once the structure is in place, a virtuous cycle emerges, wherein the church gains inner strength and outward growth. Acts 6:7 says, “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” In the same way, when the modern church effectively develops relief and service structures, the preaching of the Word gains renewed vigor. People tangibly experience help and care while encountering the powerful gospel message and prayer ministry. The church becomes the genuine “embodiment of God’s kingdom” on earth.
Pastor David Jang especially highlights the phrase “a large number of priests became obedient to the faith,” underscoring that even the religious authorities—the priestly class—repented before the power of the gospel. The revival described here goes beyond a simple increase in membership to exercising substantial social and religious influence. He takes this as evidence that, if the church wants to have a transforming impact on society, it must keep the four pillars—“Word, prayer, relief, and service”—in equilibrium. If any one of these is lacking, the church will fail to exert a meaningful impact and risk becoming a community of empty noise.
He goes on to say that once a church is firmly established, the next step is “the door to global missions opens.” Just as the early church expanded from Jerusalem to Antioch and eventually to Rome, evangelizing across the Mediterranean world, the modern church can also use its foundation in one region to plant mission centers in another. Again, a deacon team, or diakonos team, can link the churches, sharing human and material resources across multiple locations. Pastor David Jang has already tried to implement this structure on several continents. He has tasted some success and hopes to continue branching out.
He occasionally remarks, “This era’s crisis is not that the gospel is in trouble, but that churches are not organized according to the Bible.” The truth is already given to us, and the power of the Holy Spirit is not limited, but we run into problems by operating the church according to human methods instead of the Acts model. Therefore, the church’s task is to “read Acts, interpret its model, and apply it actively to today’s settings.” Of course, because of cultural and historical differences, a one-to-one replication of first-century Jerusalem is not feasible. Yet the fundamental principles still hold true: appoint teams for preaching, prayer, relief, finances, administration, medical work, education, prophetic ministry, construction, and other specialized tasks in a way that honors the synergy of “the body of Christ.”
Pastor David Jang remains convinced that this is “the way to overcome the church’s crisis and proceed toward genuine revival.” His own ministry journey reflects decades of effort to live out these biblical precepts. There were countless obstacles, but each time, by clinging to the instruction of Acts 6, raising up deacons to manage relief and service, the church eventually experienced the inflow of abundant grace and overcame dissatisfaction and conflict. Meanwhile, preaching and missions flourished.
Ultimately, he insists, “we should all aspire to the glorious state of the early church, led by the Holy Spirit.” We need a church shaped by God, not by humans; a church built on biblical, not merely human, methods. In that sense, Acts 6 stands as a message God offers every church today. Our churches can still grow, be revived, and spread the gospel across societal boundaries. But to make that a reality, we must maximize the talents of “deacons” and others serving in diverse capacities. Then, “the word of God spreads,” the number of believers increases dramatically, and even established religious leaders yield to the gospel, just as in the early church.
Pastor David Jang pledges to continue championing this message. Those who follow his teachings see firsthand how extraordinary the church can be when it is built and operated on biblical truths, discovering that God’s work transcends any single historical period. The path the early church took remains entirely applicable to twenty-first-century congregations and can take root in an even more powerful form. This encapsulates what he calls “the secret to church growth in Acts 6,” the essence of the “diakonos ministry filled with the Spirit and wisdom,” and the foundational principle enabling the church to shine as a light in a darkened world.
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