Shincheonji's Zion Christian Mission Center Graduates Nearly 60,000 Students Amid Growing Pastor Participation

The Zion Christian Mission Center, operated by Shincheonji Church of Jesus, celebrated its 116th graduation ceremony on November 2 at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church in South Korea, producing 59,192 graduates including 2,248 pastors despite what the organization describes as intense persecution and slander. This significant graduation event underscores the continued expansion of Shincheonji's theological education program, which has seen pastor participation increase dramatically in recent years.

The graduation numbers represent a substantial contribution to global religious education, particularly notable given that over 13,500 pastors have graduated from the program within the past four years alone. The mission center's curriculum focuses on systematic Bible study emphasizing prophecy and fulfillment, God's will, and scriptural flow from Genesis to Revelation. Students must complete all three levels of the free, year-long course—introductory, intermediate, and advanced—and achieve scores of 90 points or higher on comprehensive examinations to graduate.

During the ceremony, Shincheonji Church Chairman Lee Man-hee addressed attendees, emphasizing the importance of scriptural adherence in faith practices. "There are far too many people who claim to believe in Jesus but do not follow the Bible completely," Chairman Lee stated. "Do not rely on church authority—check for yourself through Scripture whether your faith is truly grounded in the Word." This message reflects the organization's approach to religious education that prioritizes personal scriptural understanding over institutional authority.

A particularly impactful moment came from graduation speaker Oh Sun-kyung, a former pastor who shared her personal journey of theological discovery. "I planted three churches and proudly considered myself a true believer who devoted her life to the Lord's kingdom and glory," Oh recounted. "Yet deep down, I carried a heavy burden—I could not understand Revelation. Even after reading the Bible over 30 times, I found no answers, and in shame before my congregation, I eventually gave up my ministry." Her testimony highlights the challenges many religious leaders face in interpreting complex biblical texts and the appeal of Shincheonji's specialized Revelation curriculum.

Oh Sun-kyung's speech carried significant implications for religious education and pastoral leadership, as she urged fellow pastors to seek mastery of Revelation through Shincheonji's program. "Now that the secrets of Revelation have been revealed, the role of a pastor—a shepherd of God's flock—is to lead the believers to heaven," she asserted. "Let us first master this promised Word without adding or subtracting from it. Pastors, let us humble ourselves before the Word, join hands with our congregations, and score a perfect 100 on the Bible test—becoming those who are sealed by God." This call to theological excellence represents a challenge to traditional religious education models.

The graduation ceremony, themed "Love and Blessing, Light to the World," attracted approximately 20,000 graduates to the physical venue while remaining participants joined online from Shincheonji Churches worldwide due to space limitations. This hybrid approach demonstrates the organization's adaptability and global reach. The current graduation continues a pattern of substantial growth, following 2023 and 2024 graduations that produced 108,084 and 111,628 theology students respectively, indicating sustained interest in the program's distinctive approach to biblical education.

The consistent high graduation numbers and increasing pastor participation suggest Shincheonji's educational model addresses perceived gaps in traditional theological training, particularly regarding Revelation interpretation. As religious institutions worldwide grapple with declining attendance and theological uncertainty, the mission center's success highlights the ongoing demand for structured, comprehensive biblical education that promises clarity on traditionally difficult scriptures. The growing number of pastors seeking this alternative education path may signal shifting dynamics in global religious leadership and biblical interpretation methodologies.