When the Flowers Reappeared: Gapyeong Solved Its Tourist Boom and Labor Shortage Crisis

Amid Rapid Aging and 3.7 Million Annual Visitors, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Cheongpyeong Branch Partners with Local Villages to Build a Sustainable Model of Civic Care 💬 “The weeds had grown so tall that our flower garden was completely hidden. Now that the flowers are alive again, our whole village feels brighter.” — Lee Gun-seon (70, female), a resident of Yumyeongsan Village in Gapyeong Gapyeong County, famous for Cheongpyeong Lake and Mount Yumyeong, presents a striking contrast. According to local government statistics, over 3.69 million tourists flooded into Gapyeong’s picturesque sites in 2025 alone . Yet behind this bustling tourism lies a quiet crisis. Designated as a population decline zone, Gapyeong's elderly population (aged 65 and over) has passed 34% of the total population . In the hot summer months, wild weeds and kudzu vines spread rapidly along roadside flower beds and village entrances—the very first spots tourists see. With most local residents in their late ...
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7.5 Tons of Waste Cleared: Shincheonji Gangdong Branch Rescues Vulnerable Senior Household

In a sub-district of Gangdong-gu, Seoul, a low-income household of three was found living in conditions of extreme neglect and health hazards. One of the elderly spouses suffers from a brain lesion disorder and severe, stage-1 dementia, leaving the other spouse entirely responsible for full-time caregiving. Due to the overwhelming physical and psychological toll, maintaining the home became impossible, resulting in accumulated decomposed food and a massive cockroach infestation. To address this crisis, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Kangdong Branch launched an emergency residential improvement operation under its "Pinky Promise" (Saekki-sonkarak) welfare initiative.


Overcoming an Extreme Environment: 7.5 Tons of Waste

On May 15th, in coordination with the Kangdong Association for the Disabled, 18 skilled volunteers entered the residence in Sangil-dong. The scale of the cleanup was staggering:

  • Massive Waste Volume: Volunteers extracted enough domestic waste to completely fill three 2.5-ton garbage trucks, totaling 7.5 tons of discarded materials and large debris.

  • Intense Sanitation & Disinfection: Despite cockroaches literally falling from the ceilings, the team labored relentlessly for three hours, conducting meticulous indoor pest control, chemical eradication, and comprehensive sanitization to ensure a livable environment.

The Power of a 6-Year Strategic Partnership

An operation of this magnitude was executed swiftly thanks to the ironclad partnership between the Kangdong Branch and the Kangdong Association for the Disabled. Collaborating continuously since 2020 (now in its 6th year), the two organizations operated with systematic, professional precision. Having conducted a joint volunteer project just the previous week, the team moved seamlessly on-site without needing a separate division of labor, demonstrating expert-level efficiency in crisis management.

Restoring Human Dignity to Local Neighbors

Volunteer Ju Jeong-sun reflected on the intense day: "Our sole motivation was to ensure these elders—who could be our own parents—no longer ingest spoiled food and can live healthily in a clean, pest-free home." A representative from the Kangdong Branch affirmed their long-term commitment, stating that they will continue to strengthen their alliance with the local disabled association to systematically identify and rescue marginalized neighbors trapped in blind spots of public welfare.


Source: https://vo.la/ZfpH6aA

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Shincheonji Netherlands Church and Class 116 Graduates Carry Out Environmental Cleanup in Rotterdam

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On December 6, members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Netherlands Church gathered at Kralingse Bos , one of Rotterdam’s largest lake parks, for a meaningful volunteer activity. The event was part of the church’s “1st Graduation Commemoration Volunteer Program,” bringing together 27 participants , including newly graduated Class 116 students of the Zion Christian Mission Center . Their goal was simple but sincere: to practice the teachings of Jesus by caring for their neighbors and protecting the local environment. Cleaning Kralingse Bos: A Park Loved by the City Kralingse Bos is a large urban lake park located on the eastern side of Rotterdam. Much like Seoul’s Hangang Park, it is a popular place for walking, running, and enjoying nature. Because so many people pass through every day, litter often gathers around the lakeside paths. A representative from Shincheonji Netherlands Church , part of the Bartholomew Tribe , explained that the city also recognized the need for clean...
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Winter Break Program Opens Career Exploration Opportunities for Youth in Gwangju

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Peter Heaven Culture Academy launches its 3rd term with 39 hands-on courses across culture, sports, and media As winter break approaches, a new youth program in Gwangju is offering students a chance to explore their interests, talents, and possible career paths through structured, hands-on learning. The Shincheonji Gwangju Church has opened enrollment for the 3rd term of the Peter Heaven Culture Academy (PHCA) , a seasonal program designed for children and teenagers during the winter vacation period. The program is organized for youth members of its children and student groups and focuses on experiential learning rather than classroom-only instruction. A program built around exploration and experience PHCA is designed to help young people better understand themselves by trying a wide range of activities in a supportive group environment. Instead of focusing solely on academic outcomes, the program emphasizes cooperation, creativity, and personal growth through shared experiences. Ahea...
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Class 116 Graduates Share Warmth Through Kimchi: A Winter of Giving in the Peter and Andre Tribes

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As winter settles in and the year comes to a close, many people begin to feel the cold more deeply—especially seniors living alone, neighbors with disabilities, and those who have served the nation. To bring warmth and comfort to these communities, graduates of Zion Christian Mission Center Class 116 from both the Andre Tribe and the Peter Tribe stepped forward for a special act of love: kimchi sharing. Though the two events took place in different cities, the heart behind them was the same. The graduates wanted to celebrate their learning, express gratitude, and start their new journey of faith by serving others with their own hands. Andre Tribe: A Celebration of Graduation Through Giving At the Andre Training Center, more than two hundred volunteers gathered with bright smiles, including one hundred new graduates who had recently completed their study of the Word. Together, they prepared a remarkable amount of kimchi—carefully seasoning and mixing each batch with sincerity. This w...
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