8 in 10 Students Have a Teacher to Confide In: Shincheonji Gwangju Church Youth Ministry Nurtures Next-Generation Growth

In a fast-paced society where teenagers often struggle with academic pressure and emotional isolation, finding trusted mentors to share personal concerns can make all the difference. A recent internal survey conducted among 512 middle and high school students at Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Peter Tribe (Gwangju Church) , revealed remarkable results: 80% of students responded that they have a teacher they can confide in regarding school life and daily challenges. Furthermore, 76% shared that they experienced personal growth through church life and youth ministry activities. Equipping Teachers Through Empathy and Dialogue Training Behind this high rate of trust is Gwangju Church's continuous focus on empowering its educators. The youth ministry regularly conducts counseling and communication training for teachers. Rather than offering generic advice, teachers review real-life student case studies, practicing how to step into a teenager's shoes and adopt empathetic language and...
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Practical Housing Safety Support: Shincheonji Gwangju Branch Executes "Gocheo-dream" Home Repair Initiative for Vulnerable Seniors

Addressing the Vulnerable Housing Infrastructure of the Elderly Population

As the aging demographic continues to expand, the residential safety of elderly individuals living alone has emerged as a significant social challenge. Many vulnerable seniors face daily inconveniences due to malfunctioning household fixtures but leave them unresolved due to financial burdens or limited accessibility. Statistics highlight that a substantial portion of the elderly population resides in older, deteriorating houses in traditional urban districts. According to official data from the National Assembly Research Service and Statistics Korea, older homes aged 30 years or more accounted for approximately 29% (164,329 units) of the total housing supply in Gwangju as of the end of last year, heavily concentrated in areas with a high density of elderly residents.

To address these practical living hazards, civic organizations have continuous initiatives to improve local living conditions. Among these is the "Gocheo-dream" (Home Repair) Project managed by the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju Branch.


Cumulative Performance: 65 Technical Custom Support Operations Over 9 Months

Launched in August of last year, the "Gocheo-dream" initiative delivers localized, minor home repair services directly to senior citizens living alone, vulnerable households, and the families of national veterans. From its inception through May 2026, the branch mobilized a total of 185 volunteers to conduct 65 specific repair operations, distributing 130 pieces of essential support materials.

The technical interventions carried out over the nine-month period include:

  • Lighting Infrastructure: 30 cases of light bulb and fixture replacements.

  • Electrical Safety: 6 cases of outlet and switch replacements.

  • Sanitation & Plumbing: 15 cases of bathroom and kitchen faucet replacements.

  • Accident Prevention: 10 cases of safety grab bar installations.

  • General Maintenance: 29 cases of miscellaneous household repairs, including door handles, hinges, and front door restorations.

Preventing Domestic Slip-and-Fall Accidents Among High-Risk Groups

These targeted home repairs are directly connected to preventing domestic physical injuries among senior citizens. Data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) indicates that falls account for the highest percentage (72.5%) of injury-related hospitalizations among seniors aged 75 and older, with 51.6% of those incidents occurring directly inside the home.

Kim Jin-ong, the team leader overseeing the operations, explained that the program was initiated after noticing elderly parents delaying minor household repairs. Kim noted that on-site interactions often involve confirming whether the service is entirely free of charge, followed by deep expressions of gratitude from the recipients once the repairs are finalized.

Community Cooperation Across Professional and General Voluntarism

The "Gocheo-dream" initiative is sustained through the participation of both certified technical professionals and ordinary office workers. The participating volunteers learn essential technical skills such as electrical wiring and wallpapering, utilizing their evenings after work or their weekends to conduct the repairs.

Kim Jin-ong emphasized that residential safety for the elderly extends beyond simple convenience, as it is fundamentally linked to health, protection, and systematic care. The Gwangju Branch plans to continuously execute these targeted maintenance operations, focusing on households that require immediate, practical assistance.


Source: https://vo.la/qaJInri

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

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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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