Shincheonji Church of Jesus drew an impressive crowd of 80,000 people in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, on September 8, 2024. This gathering, which constitutes nearly one-tenth of the city's population, was part of Chairman Man-hee Lee's nationwide tour emphasizing the fulfilment of the Book of Revelation. The event also marked the 30th anniversary of the Cheongju Church, a branch of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.
Chairman Lee, who has visited over 40 churches this year alone, was welcomed by a 4 km-long procession of believers. Approximately 100 pastors from various Protestant denominations attended the event to hear his sermon. Lee highlighted the significance of the revealed words of the Book of Revelation, stating, "These words are life. We must have faith that is 100% in line with these words, and this means becoming one with God."
The event reflects a growing trend among domestic and international believers, who are turning to Shincheonji Church of Jesus for spiritual fulfillment. A survey by the Pastoral Data Research Institute last September found that 65% of domestic Protestant churchgoers feel "spiritually thirsty," and 55% desire systematic Bible education from their pastors. This data underscores the impact of Shincheonji's teachings, which provide a detailed interpretation of the Book of Revelation.
The event also sheds light on the de-religionisation trend among young people in their 20s and 30s, a significant concern for the Protestant community. Despite this trend, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has seen an increase in young believers, with over 100,000 members completing an eight-month Bible course annually. An official from the church emphasized that their systematic curriculum helps people recognize the physical reality of the Book of Revelation's prophecies.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus, founded in 1984 in Seoul, South Korea, has since grown to over 400,000 members worldwide, with branches in more than 120 countries. The church's educational arm, the Zion Christian Mission Centre, offers a comprehensive Bible course that is free and open to anyone interested in studying the Bible.
For more information, visit https://www.shincheonji.org/ or https://zcmc.org.ph/.
