Ponder and Diary

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...

The 56th Earth Day: A Nationwide Movement From the bustling streets of Seoul to the coastal winds of Busan, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group celebrated the 56th Earth Day with a series of powerful, synchronized campaigns. This wasn't just a cleanup—it was a nationwide educational festival designed to protect our planet's "Golden Time." 1. Seoul & Gyeonggi: Tackling the "Blind Spots" In the capital region, the focus was on high-impact action and public awareness. The Giant Cleanup (Gimpo/Bucheon/Gangseo): 200 volunteers converged on the Ara Bridge in Gimpo. They cleared a staggering 98,000 liters (approx. 3 tons) of waste from steep cliffs and hidden thickets that had been neglected for years. The Walk for Earth (Dongjak/Gwangmyeong): 100 volunteers held a "Walking Performance" at Boramae Park , reminding citizens of the 8:10 PM "Lights Out" initiative to reduce carbon emissions. 2. Gyeongsang Region: Innovation in Education In the...

In Blantyre, Malawi , the public waste management system had reached a breaking point. For years, the Central Business District (CBD) struggled with neglected trash, posing a threat to both public health and the city’s image. While many saw a problem, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Malawi Branch) saw an opportunity to practice the core Christian values of being "Light and Salt." The Power of 15: From a Single Act to a Movement What started in June 2023 as a simple cleanup has now reached its 15th official session . For over a year, volunteers have consistently gathered twice a month to restore the cleanliness of Blantyre’s streets. This isn't just about picking up litter; it’s about changing the mindset of an entire city . Mphatso Miles, a 20-year-old volunteer who has attended every single session, noted a heartwarming shift: "At first, people just walked past us. Now, I see residents actively choosing not to litter after we've cleaned the streets." Glob...

A Hidden Sanctuary Under Threat Gadeokdo Island’s Cheonseonghang Port is a place of rare beauty. It is a known habitat for the Eurasian Otter (Natural Monument No. 330), a first-class endangered species that requires the cleanest of waters to survive. However, as the port became a hotspot for campers and anglers, it faced a silent crisis: a mountain of illegally dumped trash and marine debris that began to overwhelm both the ecosystem and the local fishermen. An Answer to a Local Cry for Help This wasn't just a routine cleanup. The Shincheonji Volunteer Group (Busan-Gyeongnam Western Union) mobilized after receiving a direct request from the Cheonseong Fishermen's Association. On April 20, in honor of Earth Day, 70 dedicated volunteers from six branches—Busan, Masan, Geoje, Jinhae, Yangsan, and Tongyeong—converged on the port. Their mission was clear: restore the home of the otters and the livelihood of the fishermen. The Massive Scale: 4,500 Liters Recovered The sheer volu...

While spring has arrived with blooming flowers, many Korean War veterans still live in a "cold winter" of loneliness and poverty. As the generation that witnessed the tragedy of war rapidly fades, the Bartholomew Tribe Hwagok Church has stepped up, not just with supplies, but with a heart for true peace. The Urgency of "Now": A Race Against Time To understand the significance of this work, we must look at the numbers. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, of the 900,000 soldiers who fought in the Korean War, only about 30,216 remain today —a staggering 96.6% decrease . With an average age of 93, these heroes are often left in the shadows of society. "I can still hear my comrades crying out for help amidst the shells," shares Lim Jeong-taek, head of the Yangcheon branch of the Veterans Association. Recognizing this urgency, Shincheonji Hwagok Church has dedicated the past five years to ensuring these voices are heard before they disap...

In an era where many local churches are struggling with declining membership and social trust, a new model of partnership is emerging in Seoul. On April 12th, Shincheonji Namsan Church (Simon Tribe) and a local church in Seoul officially became partner churches, marking the beginning of a collaboration centered entirely on the Bible.  From Challenges to New Opportunities The Korean Christian community currently faces a dual crisis: a decline in public trust and the operational difficulties of small-to-medium-sized churches. Pastor Jo of Church A candidly admitted that traditional ministry methods had reached their limits. His decision to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Shincheonji Namsan Church was not just a survival strategy, but a pastoral choice to return to the essence of the church— the Word of God. Witnessing Real Change through Word Exchange What led a local pastor to take this bold step? Peer Testimonies: Pastor Jo was inspired by fellow ministers who had alr...