Who is Chairman ManHee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus spearheading the global revival of the Church?
Shincheonji Church of Jesus is spearheading a rejuvenation of the global Church. Amid the general decline of Christianity due to declining church membership and growing secularisation trends, with churches in Europe even being replaced by bars, clubs and restaurants, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has successfully held three consecutive '100,000 Graduation Ceremonies' (2019, 2022, 2023) and signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for biblical exchange with 12,538 churches in 83 countries. This year has seen the 'Shincheonji Bible Seminar by Continent' conferences drawing in the attendance of thousands of pastors, who are now studying the revealed theology from Shincheonji online and offline. The driving force behind Shincheonji Church of Jesus’ rapid growth is the doctrine, that is, the “testimony of the prophecies of the Book of Revelation and the reality of their fulfilment.” Who is leading the growth of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and revival of the Church?
ManHee Lee was born in 1931 in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, Republic of Korea. His grandfather is said to have named his grandson 'ManHee' after dreaming of a light shining on his daughter-in-law's belly. He grew up in a very poor rural family and often climbed mountains with his grandfather and prayed, but did not formally attend church. When the Korean War broke out, he fought on the frontlines as a student volunteer at the age of 17 and witnessed the deaths of many comrades. The experience at that time would become the catalyst for his decision to launch a global peace movement.
After being discharged from the army, he worked in the countryside, and out of gratitude for surviving the war, prayed to God every morning and evening in the fields of the farmhouse, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. Then one day a star in the night sky appeared in front of where he was praying. After that, he climbed the mountain with the guidance of this big star and swore allegiance to God in blood.
ManHee Lee then sought the church for his life of faith. One day, he found a church that had seven pastors (named the Tabernacle Temple in Revelation chapters 2-3). Those pastors slit their wrists as a promise to devote their lives to God. After discovering the church was corrupted, he had to return to his hometown and took part in the “New Village Movement (a domestic political initiative for revitalisation of the rural economy)” for seven years (c.1971-1977). After that, he met a spiritual entity from heaven and began to carry out a life of faith based on heaven's command. He returned to the church he had left and began to testify the fulfilled realities of Revelation to a few of the brothers and sisters there. It was around that time in the early 1980s that he came to realise that the Book of Revelation was being fulfilled and that he was the messenger of Jesus and the messenger of prophecy sent for the churches (see Revelation 22:8, 16). Thereafter, Chairman Lee held Bible seminars on Revelation throughout South Korea and, in more recent years, offline and online to an audience of pastors and congregants globally.
Chairman ManHee Lee is also spearheading the work of peace, having toured the world 32 times, meeting with former and current presidents and religious leaders from 52 countries, for the work of cessation of wars and sustainable world peace since 2012.
Chairman ManHee Lee, who says, “I have done nothing without the direction of heaven,” is continuing his activities at the unbelievable age of 93. As a “messenger of Jesus” who “spreads the message of salvation and peace,” attention is focused on what kind of impact his activities will have on the religious community and society in the future. By the end of this year, Shincheonji Church of Jesus is expected to hold a fourth graduation ceremony of over 110,000 students.
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Amin
ReplyDeletehis commitment to peace and efforts to connect with world leaders on this front demonstrate a compassionate and forward-thinking approach that goes beyond religious boundaries.
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