In today’s digital age, many families find it hard to spend meaningful time together. With smartphones and tablets in every hand, shared experiences have become rare, and common interests often seem lost. But one church community in South Korea is bridging that gap through an eco-friendly, family-centered activity that’s capturing hearts and cleaning streets.
What happens when faith, family, and care for the environment come together? In Busan, South Korea, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Andre Tribe, has shown us how simple yet powerful this combination can be. On May 18, as part of Family Month celebrations in Korea, Andre Church hosted a special “Plogging” campaign where parents and children picked up litter together in their neighborhood. Plogging, a mix of jogging and picking up trash, is not just a trendy activity—it’s a movement that makes our world cleaner, one step at a time.
More Than Just Picking Up Trash
Shincheonji Andre Church has been organizing weekly plogging campaigns since July 2024. Every week, volunteers walk the streets around their church building in Yeonsu-dong, Busan, collecting cigarette butts, cups, plastic waste, and everyday litter. As of now, they’ve gathered around 200 liters of waste—making a visible difference in their community.
This month’s campaign was extra special. Young children joined their parents, learning firsthand what it means to care for both the Earth and each other. After picking up trash, the children shared promises not to litter and expressed joy in being able to help.
Connecting with the Local Community
This plogging initiative is about more than environmental cleanup—it’s about building relationships. Shincheonji Andre Church has been using this campaign as a bridge to engage local shop owners, neighbors, and even strangers who join in along the way.
Currently centered around the church’s training center in Yeonsu-dong, the campaign is set to expand to areas like Busanjin Market. The church also encourages members to support local businesses, collect receipts, and greet residents warmly, fostering goodwill and economic support in the neighborhood.
One shopkeeper shared, “Their warm greetings and presence give me so much strength,” while a resident said, “Thank you for keeping our streets clean.”
A Growing Culture of Care
Shincheonji Andre Church is also leading efforts to build long-term relationships with local businesses, encouraging members to shop locally and save receipts as part of a “support local” initiative. Through these everyday acts, they’re showing what it means to live out faith as part of the community.
In a world that often feels divided, these actions remind us of what unity can look like—walking side by side, picking up what’s been left behind, and making the world a little brighter for everyone.
Sometimes, the smallest steps—taken together—can spark the biggest changes.
Source: https://vo.la/cOBLclc
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Beautiful #ShincheonjiChurch
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