Ponder and Diary

Shincheonji Volunteer Group Celebrated the Korean Thanksgiving Season with Public Traditional Games, 13-Year Fruit Donation Drives, and Intergenerational Songpyeon Making 💬 "Making Songpyeon after all these years brought back sweet memories of my parents and childhood Chuseok holidays." — Lee Hae-yeon (91, pseudonym), Senior Resident in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul With Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) approaching, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group launched vibrant holiday outreach campaigns across South Korea. From park cleanup drives featuring traditional folk games in Incheon to 13-year fruit sharing traditions in Daejeon and heartwarming rice-cake making in Seoul, volunteers brought holiday cheer, nostalgia, and companionship to local communities and elderly residents. Incheon Yeonsu Branch: Traditional Games Meet Green Park Cleanups On September 13, volunteers from the Yeonsu Branch gathered at Cheongryong Park in Okryeon-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, combining environmental cleanup w...

Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju Branch Partnered with Environmental Federation to Host "Colombia Hope Sharing Flea Market"—Donating 100% of Sales Proceeds to Honor Korean War Ties 💬 "During the Korean War, Colombia sent soldiers to fight for our nation. Remembering the aid we received, it's now our turn to offer strength to the people of Colombia." — Official from Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju Branch On August 10, a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," claiming over 330 lives and affecting more than 466,000 residents as homes, schools, and infrastructure collapsed. In response, on September 12, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju Branch joined hands with the Central Federation for Global Environmental Conservation at Shinyong Bitgoeul Park in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, hosting the "Colombia Hope Sharing Flea Market" to raise urgent relief funds and spread civic awareness. ...

In South Korea, youth social isolation has become a pressing societal challenge. According to a report published by the Korea Economic Association and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, the number of reclusive young adults (aged 19–34) reached approximately 538,000 in 2024—more than doubling from 244,000 in 2022. Experts warn that prolonged isolation leads to severe economic and emotional losses, costing society over 5.3 trillion KRW annually. To address this hidden crisis, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, John Tribe (Gwacheon Church) , has introduced an empathetic, community-driven solution: creating interest-based small group clubs that serve as emotional safe havens for young adults struggling with isolation. 'Loose Solidarity': Building Safe Emotional Buffer Zones Rather than imposing rigid structures, Gwacheon Church activated diverse small-group clubs centered around shared hobbies—ranging from photography, dance, and keychain crafting to outdoor trips and spo...

In Blantyre, Malawi, a quiet yet profound shift is taking place among Christian leaders seeking a deeper, clearer understanding of the Bible. On September 15, 2026, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Bartholomew Tribe (Malawi Region) , hosted a historic Scripture Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ceremony attended by approximately 60 pastors and church leaders. A total of nine pastors—five renewing their existing partnerships and four joining for the first time—expressed a shared desire: "We want to learn and teach the Bible correctly." The significance of the event drew national attention, with the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) , the nation's state broadcaster, attending on-site to cover the proceedings and conduct interviews. A Structured Journey from Learning to Leadership The ceremony moved beyond formal agreements, focusing heavily on pastoral duty, biblical ministry methods, and ongoing education: Biblical Ministry Seminars: Participating pastors en...

Shincheonji Volunteer Group Hosts "Wise Summer Life" Outreach at Dasan Station, Promoting Waste Reduction through Creative Upcycling of Textile Scraps and Carbon Neutrality Quizzes 💬 "Making a bag out of waste materials was fascinating. It made me realize that resource recycling is actually very close to our daily lives." — Choi Seo-yeon (20s, pseudonym), Dasan-dong, Namyangju In celebration of Resource Recycling Day (September 6 annually), the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Guri-Namyangju Branch turned the bustling Dasan Station into a temporary hub for climate action. On September 5, at the exit 4 of Dasan Station in Namyangju, volunteers launched a dedicated community awareness campaign designed to show that waste reduction is not just necessary, but creative and accessible for every citizen. The primary objective of this public outreach was to spread the true meaning behind Resource Recycling Day, which aims to boost civic interest in recycling waste materials a...

Wrapping Up the 2-Month "Wise Summer Life" Campaign: Shincheonji Volunteer Group Delivered Over 15,000 Heatwave Items, Supported Outdoor Workers, and Care-Checked Korean War Veterans 💬 "Cleaning my dusty fan on such a scorching day felt like finding an oasis in the middle of a desert." — Kim Sang-muk (96), Korean War Veteran   During the blistering summer of 2026, prolonged heatwaves swept across South Korea. According to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) data, heat-related illnesses exceeded 3,800 cases nationwide between mid-May and late August. To combat this extreme weather, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group conducted its nationwide heatwave relief campaign, "Wise Summer Life," running for two full months from June 16 to August 14 . With 2,633 volunteers stepping into streets, farms, and homes, the initiative reached 16,779 beneficiaries and engaged 16,232 participating citizens . Reaching Outdoor Workers and Vulnerable Citizens Whi...