Ponder and Diary

In a world where 80% of people with disabilities still report feeling social discrimination, a religious community in Gwangju, South Korea, is showing what true "unity in truth" looks like. In honor of the 46th Persons with Disabilities Day, the Shincheonji Peter Tribe (Gwangju Church) is being recognized for breaking down both physical and social walls to create a "Barrier-Free" spiritual home. More Than Accessibility: A Place of Role and Purpose While many organizations focus solely on physical ramps, the Peter Tribe goes further by ensuring every member has a meaningful role in the community. Here, a disability doesn't define a member's capacity to serve. Leading with Faith: Take Kim Myung-sook (pseudonym), who has lived with the effects of polio since infancy. Today, she doesn't just attend services—she serves as a District Leader , guiding and serving other church members. Equal Identity: "The church believed in my potential rather than my ...

As May, the Month of Families, approaches, the heart of Yeongdeungpo was filled with warmth and laughter. On April 25th, the Yeongdeungpo Church of Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Bartholomew Tribe) hosted its 18th Family Invitation Event under the heartwarming theme, "Sograk Sograk: The Sound of Hearts Touching." This long-standing tradition, which began in 2009, opened its doors to family members, friends, and local residents to foster communication and harmony across generations. A Cultural Feast for All Ages The event was a vibrant celebration of art and faith. Attendees were treated to a diverse lineup of performances that showcased the church's rich culture: Traditional & Modern Music: From elegant Korean traditional orchestral music to a powerful marching band and military band performances. Artistic Excellence: Graceful dance troupes, energetic farmers' music (Nongak), and soulful vocal performances that moved the audience to tears and cheers. Wisdom for...

In a time when the Korean church is struggling with internal divisions and conflicting doctrines, an extraordinary meeting took place in Seoul. On April 24th, the Seoul James Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus hosted a Christian Forum titled "Unity in Truth," where over 20 pastors from established denominations gathered to find a biblical solution to church division. The Crisis of Division: Doctrine vs. Truth The forum addressed a painful reality: while the Korean church has seen immense growth, it has also been deeply scarred by sectarianism. The guest speakers, including active pastors from various denominations, offered a candid diagnosis: Truth as the Unifier: Professor Hong Chul-jin (pseudonym) noted, "Doctrines divide us, but Truth makes us one." He emphasized that the criteria for "orthodoxy" or "heresy" should not be human dogma, but the Word of God alone. Returning to Essence: Pastor Lee Woo-chul (pseudonym) argued that unity is n...

 Cleanliness is the first step toward a healthy community. Recently, in the heart of Lusaka, a powerful movement of unity took place. The Shincheonji Zambia Church (Bartholomew Tribe) organized a large-scale environmental clean-up at Ng’ombe Market in Mandevu, proving that when faith meets community service, real change happens. A Collaborative Effort for Public Health The rainy season in Zambia often brings challenges like clogged drains and waste accumulation, which can lead to waterborne diseases. To combat this, approximately 100 volunteers —including Shincheonji members, Zion Christian Mission Center students, and local market traders—gathered for "Clean-Up Day." This wasn't just a church event; it was a full community collaboration. Local traders joined in with their wheelbarrows, and 30 medical staff members from the Ng’ombe Clinic participated to improve the sanitary conditions of the area. Full Support from the Mandevu City Council The impact of Shincheonji’s ...

The Momentum Continues in Hanam The "2026 Shincheonji Bible Seminar" tour shows no signs of slowing down. On April 25, the movement arrived at the Gangdong Church in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. Approximately 600 participants , including a significant number of clergy, filled the sanctuary to capacity, while thousands more joined via the global YouTube livestream. Chairman Lee: "Truth is the Only Authority" The seminar’s keynote speaker, Chairman Lee Man-hee , delivered a direct and challenging message to today’s religious leaders. His focus was on the absolute necessity of mastering the Book of Revelation to guide congregants correctly. “If you do not know Revelation, how can you teach it accurately?” Chairman Lee asked. He emphasized that in an era where the prophecies have physical realities, there is no room for falsehood. The Highlight of the Lecture: He broke traditional social hierarchies by stating, "Even if it is a young child, if they have mastered Reve...

The Mission Continues: Beyond the Bustling Streets Following our nationwide report on the 56th Earth Day, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has extended its reach to the hidden corners of the community. While city festivals raised awareness, these volunteers headed to "blind spots"—the neglected basins, steep cliffs, and silent bird sanctuaries—proving that no area is too small or too polluted to be restored. 1. Incheon & Gunsan: Battles Against Coastal Waste In the western coastal regions, volunteers tackled massive accumulations of marine debris that often go unnoticed by the public. Incheon (Yonghyeon Basin): 100 volunteers extracted a staggering 5 tons of waste (150 bags of 100L each) from a chronic dumping ground, clearing rotting debris and neutralizing persistent odors. Gunsan (Saemangeum Seawall): For the 3rd consecutive year , the Gunsan branch cleared the gateway to the Gogunsan Islands. 60 volunteers recovered 2,800 liters of marine litter , specifically targ...