Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a Christian denomination founded in South Korea, has marked the 42nd anniversary of its establishment, reflecting on its journey from small beginnings to a rapidly growing global religious movement.
The anniversary was commemorated during a memorial service held on March 15 at the Cheongju Church in South Korea, where more than 2,000 believers gathered in person while others from different parts of the world joined through a live online broadcast.
The event was organised to remember the church’s founding on March 14, 1984, honour the dedication of its early members and reaffirm what the church describes as its central principle — faith based on the Word.
During the service, Shincheonji founder and chairman Lee Man-hee addressed members and encouraged them to remain committed to biblical teachings.
He emphasised the importance of scripture as the foundation of Christian faith, noting that believers should base their faith on the Word of God.
“Just as John 1:1 declares that the Word itself is God, there can be no faith without the Word,” he said. “As we mark 42 years since the church’s founding, we should renew our commitment to faith rooted in the Word.”
Lee also stressed the importance of the Book of Revelation, urging believers to carefully examine its teachings.
Reflections from early members highlighted how the church developed from modest beginnings. According to participants, early worship services were held in small spaces and outdoor locations, including mountains, before the church formally established itself in 1984.
One of the early members, Bak Bok-yeong, said the teachings of the church attracted people seeking deeper understanding of the Bible.
“It was a great joy to finally find answers to my questions about the Word,” she said, noting that many believers continue to join the church because of its teachings.
Another long-time member, Jo Myeong-suk, who joined in 1992, said she encountered Shincheonji while searching for clarity about salvation and biblical interpretation.
Since its founding, Shincheonji has focused heavily on biblical education through the Zion Christian Mission Center, a training centre established to teach the Bible.
The centre began its first graduating class in 1991 and has since trained thousands of students. In 2019, it reported more than 100,000 graduates in a single year, while last year 59,192 graduates from its 116th class attended a graduation ceremony held at the Cheongju church.
Church leaders say a large proportion of the graduates come from outside South Korea, indicating the church’s expanding international presence.
Beyond religious teaching, Shincheonji has also engaged in social initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of members donated plasma to support medical research.
In 2022, more than 70,000 church members participated in blood donation drives to help address a national blood shortage in South Korea.
The church has also mobilised volunteers to assist communities affected by disasters, including the 2017 Pohang earthquake and major wildfires.
Community outreach programmes organised by the church include medical services for foreign workers and meal-sharing initiatives for elderly people living alone.
In a statement marking the anniversary, Shincheonji Church said the past four decades have been shaped by the commitment of its members and their dedication to biblical teachings.
“The past 42 years have been a journey made possible by the devotion of believers and faith centred on the Word,” the church said, adding that it will continue promoting what it describes as the values of truth and service.
