Shincheonji Gwangju Church Concludes 2nd Peter Heavenly Culture Academy

“More Fun Than Games”

The second session of the Peter Heavenly Culture Academy (PHCA), hosted by Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Gwangju Peter Tribe, successfully wrapped up on August 24 with enthusiastic participation from local youth.

A Summer of Learning and Growth

Running from July 28 to August 24, the PHCA 2nd session was designed for children and students in the church’s youth and student associations. The program supported both self-development and healthy leisure activities during the summer break.

This year’s academy expanded in scope and variety:

• 9 classes for the children’s group

• 22 classes for the student group

A total of 387 students took part, engaging in activities across art, culture, and sports that encouraged personal growth while building confidence.

Voices from the Participants

• A middle school 3rd grader shared, “Through this academy, I discovered new things I like and can do well. It made my summer vacation meaningful, and I want to join more classes in the winter session.”

• Kim Da-ae, a high school senior, reflected, “I usually just stayed home or at cram school during breaks, but here I made new friends and immersed myself in art. It helped me view myself more positively and think about my future path.”

• A middle school 2nd grade boy who joined the sports program said, “I applied half-heartedly, but it turned out to be way more fun than playing games at home. Learning soccer and playing with friends gave me more confidence to be active at school too.”

• An elementary school 6th grader in the dance team expressed, “I loved learning choreography and performing it myself. The warm-up games also helped me bond with new friends.”

• A 4th grade participant in the martial arts class said, “I’m interested in Taekwondo, and practicing with older students during performance rehearsals was exciting. I want to keep learning.”

Guiding Youth Beyond the Classroom

Instructors noted the positive transformations: “Students who joined out of curiosity discovered hidden talents and grew not only in skill but also spiritually. It was rewarding to see them develop in ways they couldn’t have elsewhere.”

Parents echoed this sentiment, with one saying, “Seeing my child enjoy learning, cooperate with peers, and grow through various experiences makes me feel reassured and proud. I hope opportunities like this continue.”

A Platform for Balanced Growth

Gwangju Church’s Peter Tribe leader, Yoo Jae-uk, emphasized the vision:
“PHCA was created so students could step away from academics during vacation, find balance through new experiences, and grow healthily in God. We will continue to provide an educational platform where faith and learning come together, helping young people pursue greater dreams.”

The church has also introduced advanced classes for students with distinct talents and interests, and plans to operate tailored programs every summer and winter break to guide youth in forming strong values and future goals.

Source: https://vo.la/S8l1HVV