Shincheonji Church's Bible Seminar Sparks Renewed Interest in Christian Revival Across Europe

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, recently concluded a highly attended Bible Seminar in Paris, France, aimed at addressing the decline of Christian influence in Europe. Held on June 15, the event attracted over 7,000 participants, including 1,000 European pastors, and has sparked renewed interest in Christian revival across the continent.

The seminar comes at a critical time for Christianity in Europe. As churches are increasingly repurposed as secular establishments like restaurants, bars, and clubs, the urgency to revive Christian teachings has never been higher. The Bible Seminar is part of the broader "2024 Continental Bible Seminar" series initiated in the Philippines on April 20. It was organized in response to numerous requests from pastors who are eager to revitalize Christianity in Europe.

One of the highlights of the seminar was a video lecture by Chairman Lee Man-hee, who emphasized the significance of understanding and teaching the Book of Revelation. "God's work is fulfilled according to the unalterable Book of Revelation," Chairman Lee stated, urging pastors to teach these words to their congregants without altering them. This was followed by an insightful explanation from Simon Tribe Leader Lee Seung-joo, who discussed the fulfillment of biblical prophecies, reiterating the potential for revival in European churches through adherence to these teachings.

The seminar also featured a discussion on "The Role of Pastors for the Spiritual Enlightenment of Christians Today." This segment allowed pastors to exchange thoughts and experiences, further enriching the seminar. Pastor Delly Delphin Matondo from the Full Gospel denomination expressed his profound admiration for the teachings, stating, "The teachings that explain the Book of Revelation were truly profound and amazing. I want to learn more about the Bible, and if invited to Korea, I will start preparing my ticket right away."

The seminar's impact was evident in the emotional and enthusiastic responses from pastors across Europe. A pastor from Austria expressed his desire to collaborate and learn more about Revelation, while a pastor from Poland was moved to tears by the unity among European pastors and believers. These sentiments underscore the seminar's potential to act as a catalyst for a broader Christian revival in Europe.

According to data from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Europe's Christian population, which peaked at 560 million in the 2000s, is expected to decline to 490 million by 2050. Factors such as secularization, the rise of atheism, religious pluralism, and various clergy scandals have contributed to this decline. The seminar aims to counter these trends by reinvigorating Bible-based teachings.

A representative from Shincheonji Church highlighted the growing interest among European pastors in learning more about Revelation. "We are preparing places and programs where they can learn, and we will further activate Zion Christian Mission Centers across Europe to expand platforms for their education," the representative stated. The church is also planning a global Bible Seminar in Korea later this year, aiming to create a unified platform for pastors worldwide.

As of June 5, Shincheonji Church has signed MOUs with 12,538 churches in 83 countries and welcomed 1,341 churches from 41 countries into its fold. Additionally, over 5,600 pastors are currently enrolled in Bible education courses at the church's Zion Christian Mission Center, indicating a growing global interest in Shincheonji Church's teachings.

For more information, visit https://www.scjus.org.