Noah Brown: 2025

Across different cities in South Korea, one pattern quietly repeated itself throughout 2025.

Volunteers showed up—not for one-time events, but again and again—responding to real needs in everyday places.

From senior centres to veterans’ halls and neighbourhood streets, Shincheonji Volunteer Group branches carried out community-based, practical service rooted in consistency rather than visibility.

Caring for Seniors Through Regular Visits in Yongsan

In Yongsan District, the Namsan Branch focused on senior care through 15 regular volunteer activities involving more than 200 volunteers.

Rather than large-scale events, their approach centred on repeat visits and prior coordination with senior centres. Activities included:

✦ Dementia-prevention programmes

✦ Shared meals and conversation

✦ Hand massages and companionship

✦ Donations of rice and food supplies

At local senior centres, volunteers prepared activities carefully so older residents could participate comfortably. Over time, simple gestures - sharing meals, talking, listening - built trust.

The branch also worked alongside veterans’ facilities, donating supplies and offering commemorative photo sessions. Several institutions later expressed appreciation for the volunteers’ steady presence, not just the support itself.

On 24th October, the Namsan Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group had lunch and a time of communication at a seniors club in Yongsan district, Seoul

A Year of Consistent Service Across Gangwon Province

The Gangwon Regional Union carried out one of the broadest volunteer efforts in 2025.

From January through December:

✦ 4777 volunteers participated

✦ 306 service days were completed

✦ 16,788 residents received support

Activities spanned nine service areas, including:

✦ Food sharing, home repairs, briquette delivery, and kimchi preparation

✦ Disaster response such as flood recovery, heatwave preparedness, and wildfire prevention

✦ Environmental cleanups, senior care, disability support, and veterans’ remembrance

Several branches held activities honouring veterans, such as educational campaigns, intergenerational choir events, and memorial participation. These efforts earned 17 official commendations, recognising long-term commitment rather than short-term campaigns.

Everyday Support for Vulnerable Neighbours in Seongnam

In Seongnam, over 600 volunteers supported 2847 residents through what the branch described as “life-close” service.

Their work addressed multiple needs:

✦ Kimchi and bread sharing for seniors living alone

✦ Mobile haircut services and recreational visits to care facilities

✦ Environmental cleanups and heatwave prevention campaigns

✦ Assistance at disability vocational centres

Volunteers also delivered 1285 kg of kimchi to 148 households and began monthly baking programmes after receiving training from experienced bakers. Environmental efforts included weekly cleanups, collecting 765 litres of waste, and promoting carbon-reduction awareness through planting and walking campaigns.

The branch emphasised seasonal and situational support - adjusting activities based on weather, public health risks, and local requests.

The Seongnam branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has been carrying out community-based volunteer work throughout the region throughout the year.

From a Local Stream to Community Awareness in Eunpyeong

In Eunpyeong District, about 200 volunteers carried out 15 activities focused on environmental care, safety awareness, and veterans’ support.

Their work centred around Bulgwangcheon Stream, where volunteers:

✦ Conducted multiple cleanups along walking paths

✦ Collected general and recyclable waste to create visible improvements

✦ Engaged passersby through conversation rather than signage

They also hosted wildfire prevention campaigns, heatwave relief for veterans, and hands-on EM mud ball activities that allowed families and residents to learn about water quality through participation.

Organisers noted that turning campaigns into shared experiences helped residents see environmental care as part of daily life—not just an occasional project.

A Shared Approach Across Different Regions

While each branch responded to its own local context, the four stories shared clear similarities:

✦ Consistency over one-time events

✦ Advance communication with community partners

✦ Service designed around daily life, not formality

✦ Long-term relationships with seniors, veterans, and local institutions

The work often went unnoticed until others - senior centres, veterans’ groups, civic organisations - chose to speak up.

Service That Blends Into Daily Life

The common thread across these regions was not scale alone, but steadiness.

By returning regularly, listening first, and responding to what was actually needed, volunteers helped reduce everyday burdens - whether through meals, clean streets, shared conversation, or preparedness for seasonal risks.

In 2025, these efforts showed that meaningful community service does not always arrive loudly.

Often, it arrives quietly - on time, and again the next time it’s needed.

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On 13th December, the "Shincheonji John Tribe Open House" was held at the Shincheonji Seongnam Church in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province

Shincheonji churches across South Korea hosted a number of events for local residents, from Christmas cultural events to open-house dialogues, to mark the conclusion of 2025.

As the year draws to a close, many communities look for moments of connection, reflection, and warmth. In mid-December 2025, several Shincheonji churches across many regions of Korea hosted open, community-focused events that brought together local residents, families, and visitors through culture, conversation, and shared experiences.

According to local news reports, these events were not limited to worship services. Instead, they were designed as open invitations - spaces where neighbours could freely walk in, participate, and engage without pressure.

✦ Culture as a Bridge: Year-End Community Events in Gunsan and Iksan

In Gunsan, a local Shincheonji church organised a Christmas-themed cultural event that welcomed residents into a festive indoor space filled with music, interactive programs, and seasonal decorations. Visitors were greeted by costumed performers, enjoyed carol performances, and took part in quizzes, photo zones, and small gift exchanges.

Reports noted that families and individuals who had previously only passed by the church building chose to step inside for the first time, drawn by the open atmosphere and holiday setting. Short talks and storytelling sessions were included, focusing on reflection and personal value rather than formal religious instruction.

A similar approach was seen in Iksan, where another Shincheonji church hosted a year-end invitation event for local residents, including multicultural neighbors who often spend the holidays away from extended family. The programme combined orchestral and carol performances with interactive booths that encouraged participants to look back on the year and share light-hearted moments.

Local coverage described the events as opportunities for residents to spend time together in a relaxed environment, emphasising human connection over formality. Organisers explained that the intention was to close the year with neighbours in a warm and welcoming way.

Christmas carol performance prepared by the Shincheonji Iksan Church on the 13th December.

✦ Open Dialogue and Transparency: John Tribe’s Open House in Seongnam

While the Gunsan and Iksan events centred on culture and celebration, a different form of community engagement took place in Seongnam. There, the Shincheonji John Tribe hosted an open house, opening church facilities to the public and inviting citizens to explore the space freely.

According to reports, approximately 250 people attended, including members of other Christian denominations. Visitors were able to tour the building, attend explanatory sessions, and ask questions directly through consultation booths set up throughout the venue.

Church leaders used the opportunity to explain the church’s beliefs and educational focus, particularly its emphasis on biblical study. Attendees interviewed by local media said the event provided a chance to better understand the church beyond common assumptions, with some noting that the open format encouraged curiosity rather than confrontation.

Organisers clarified that the purpose of the open house was not targeted outreach, but transparency - allowing visitors to see, ask, and decide for themselves.

On 13th December, the "Shincheonji John's Tribe Open House" was held at the Shincheonji Seongnam Church in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

✦ Community Access, Experience, and Conversation

Although the formats differed - festive events in Gunsan and Iksan, and an open house in Seongnam - the underlying direction was consistent. Each event focused on lowering barriers, creating accessible spaces, and engaging the local community through shared experiences.

Rather than limiting activities to internal members, the churches positioned themselves as places for conversation, cultural exchange, and reflection at the end of the year. Performances, interactive programmes, guided tours, and open discussions all served as entry points for dialogue.

Taken together, these events illustrate how some Shincheonji churches are experimenting with open, community-based engagement - moving beyond closed gatherings and towards formats that invite understanding, participation, and communication.

As communities look ahead to a new year, these year-end initiatives highlight one approach to connecting with neighbours: opening doors, creating shared moments, and allowing conversation to begin naturally.

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On 29th November, the Class 116 graduates of the Zion Christian Mission Centre are making kimchi at Domisol Food in Paju, South Korea

In a winter marked by cold weather and rising living costs, a warm story of service quietly spread across communities in South Korea, as more than 5200 graduates who recently completed a Bible education course chose to begin their next chapter not with celebration - but with service.

From November 25th to December 14th, a large-scale volunteer initiative titled “Graduation Special Service – First Step” was carried out by graduates of the Zion Christian Mission Centre’s 116 Class, along with church members. A total of 12,200 congregants participated in Korea and overseas.

In Paju, Korea, nearly 200 domestic and overseas graduates belonging to the Simon Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus participated in a kimchi-making event and made 1 tonne (200 boxes) of kimchi at Domisol Food on the 29th of last month.

The outdoor kimchi-making site of the Simon Tribe was filled with laughter, teamwork, and the spicy aroma of kimchi. Graduates of Class 116 worked side by side, filling cabbage leaves with care and packing each box with hope that it would bring comfort to someone's home. The finished kimchi was delivered to the Korean War Veterans' Association, disability organisations, and families in the region.

On the afternoon of November 29th, the overseas graduates of the Zion Christian Mission Centre took a commemorative photo during the special volunteer event "Graduation Special Service – First Step" held at Domisol Foods in Paju, South Korea

Alban, a graduate from Gabon, shares his thoughts on volunteering at the "Graduation Special Service – First Step" event held at Domisol Foods in Paju, South Korea, on November 29th.

About ten graduates from overseas participated in this event. One graduate from Gabon said, “I participated out of gratitude to the Korean War veterans. It was a unique experience to be able to share the joy I gained from learning the Word through service.”

Expressing his hope that this volunteer experience would go beyond a simple experience and become a time to unite the community, he added:

“I hope these small communities from all over the world can come together and become the 'small community of all nations' described in Revelation 21 and 22. Although we come from different countries, we serve with the same heart, so we truly feel like one family.”

The kimchi-sharing was not just a seasonal event. It was a meaningful first step for Class 116 graduates who wanted to live out the teachings they had learned. Their actions expressed care for those who once protected the nation and for neighbours who may feel the weight of winter more than others.

As winter continues, the kimchi will nourish many homes, but the love shown through these days of service will shine even longer.

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Graduates and members of Class 116 of Shincheonji Church of Jesus are collecting litter on Miraflores Beach in Lima, Peru, as part of a special service programme to commemorate their graduation

In a winter marked by cold weather and rising living costs, a warm story of service quietly spread across communities in South Korea and around the world.

More than 5200 graduates who recently completed a Bible education course chose to begin their next chapter not with celebration - but with service.

In total, about 12,200 participants took part in volunteer activities both in Korea and overseas.

The Class 116 of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Busan James Tribe, Bengaluru Church, India, is providing breakfast at a local orphanage as part of a special service programme to commemorate their graduation

A graduate of the Shincheonji John Tribe Washington DC Church donates blood during a special service commemorating graduation
While the main focus of the volunteer work in Korea was a large-scale kimjang (kimchi-making) service for recipients of national merit, including war veterans and their families, the service overseas, which included more than 170 volunteer activities, tailored to local needs, including food support for low-income families, free meal services, disaster relief and recovery work, blood donation campaigns, visits to senior care facilities and orphanages, and environmental clean-up activities.

In places such as Washington, D.C., the Philippines, and Kenya, partnerships were formed with local governments and institutions to support ongoing volunteer efforts, not just one-time events.

According to Shincheonji Church of Jesus, graduation is not seen as the end of learning, but as the starting point of practising faith - especially the teaching of Jesus to love one’s neighbour through action.
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At the 31st National Defense and Security Action Rally, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group's Chungju branch provides lunch to approximately 1000 veterans

In present-day South Korea, where the contribution of Korean War veterans who dedicated their lives for the peace of the country is often overlooked, one organisation is working hard to widely publicise and record their noble deeds through memorial ceremonies, campaigns, and events - the Shincheonji Volunteer Group.

In particular, the Chungju Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group ("Chungju branch") has proven its community trust by receiving a series of plaques of appreciation for spreading the "value of consistency" among war veterans.

In response to a request made by the Chungju Branch of the Korea Vietnam Veterans' Association, the Chungju branch provided meal support and on-site assistance for the operation of the "31st National Defense and Security Action Rally" held at Tangeum Park in Chungju on 20th October, providing food and beverages to approximately 1000 veterans.

This large-scale veterans' event, hosted by the Chungju Branch of the Korea Vietnam Veterans' Association, was attended by Vietnam War veterans, their families, and related organisations from 11 cities and counties in the province.

On that day, the Chungju branch received a plaque of appreciation in recognition of its consistent service to veterans' welfare.

One volunteer from the Chungju branch said, “The veterans have taught us respect and gratitude.”

A Chungju branch official stated, “Today's peace is possible thanks to the sacrifices of veterans.”

The freedom and peace that South Korea enjoys today was gained through the sacrifices of their forefathers.

Meanwhile, since 2014, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has held the 'Love Your Country, Share Peace' campaign in June (Patriot and Veterans Month), in order to raise civic awareness of the noble sacrifice of war veterans who died for the peace of Korea and to promote a world of peace without conflict.

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On 16th October, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group's Namdong Branch installed a plaque in Manbu Village, inviting people to join the Wall Story movement

On 16th October, the Namdong Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group unveiled its second mural project in Manbu Village, Namdong District, Incheon - transforming a once colourless wall into a lively field of spring flowers.

The 'Wall Story' project, soon to approach its 12th year, is a movement spearheaded by the Shincheonji Volunteer Group which serves to restores dilapidated murals through drawings and paintings depicting stories specific to local regions. Requests are typically received from local residents or councils.

In this most recent case, the request for the mural painting was made by a resident living opposite the group’s first mural, a seascape completed in June. At that time, this resident requested that their own wall also “bloom with flowers.”

In response, the volunteers selected “Open Dandelion Hill” as the new theme, symbolising hope, vitality, and renewal. Beginning on 22nd September, members prepared and painted the wall over a 20-day period, completing every step - from surface treatment and sketching to detailed colouring - in close collaboration with residents.

Members of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group's Namdong Branch and residents of Manbu Village paint a mural on a wall

As the final brushstrokes dried, one resident smiled and shared:

“The wall used to feel lifeless and dull, but now it feels alive. The mural brings joy every time I see it.”

An official from the Namdong branch said, “We first communicated with the beneficiaries to see if they had any paintings they wanted, and then we inspected the proposed mural site and held a meeting to decide on a design that would fit the surrounding environment before proceeding with the work.”

Meanwhile, Manbu Village is a charming neighbourhood filled with small, cosy, old-fashioned houses that boasts a high proportion of senior residents.

With every brushstroke, the volunteers are not just painting walls - they are bringing colour, warmth, and a sense of community to a place many call home.

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Pastor Yaqub Paul pledged to learn the revealed word of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and participate as a graduate

“Now I finally understand the true meaning of the Book of Revelation. I will dedicate the rest of my life to spreading this Word.”

These were the words of Rev. Yaqub Paul, a senior pastor and denominational leader from Pakistan, after attending the recent Shincheonji Bible Seminar on Revelation hosted by Shincheonji Church of Jesus in Cheongju, South Korea.

For more than 40 years, Rev. Paul has served as a pastor, denominational chair, and national leader in Pakistan. He currently ministers to over 300 members in his local church and oversees monthly gatherings of pastors across the country.

His influence is far-reaching. He established a seminary in Pakistan that has already produced more than 7000 graduates, many of whom have gone on to become pastors and missionaries both at home and abroad.

Yet despite his long years of service, he admitted he still struggled to fully grasp the depth of biblical prophecy - especially the mysteries of the Book of Revelation.

That spiritual thirst was finally quenched on September 27th 2025, when he attended the large-scale Bible seminar in Cheongju. Listening to Chairman ManHee Lee’s sermon on the fulfilment of Revelation, Rev. Paul said he was moved to tears.

“To know that the prophecies of Revelation have been fulfilled, and to finally understand their true meaning - I could not hold back my tears,” he recalled.

Far from feeling offended by the strong admonitions directed towards pastors, he said he felt deep conviction and humility, acknowledging his own shortcomings and the need for change.

Rev. Paul also expressed a firm resolve to put what he learned into practice.

“First, I will fully learn the Revelation Word myself. Then, I will teach it to pastors across Pakistan. Through them, the message of Revelation will spread to churches and congregations nationwide.”

He emphasized that this was no longer just a personal awakening but a mission to bring transformation to the entire Christian community in Pakistan.

This represents a new chapter for Pakistan's churches. Rev. Paul’s testimony is especially significant given the challenges faced by Christians in Pakistan, where ministry work is often met with obstacles. His determination to share Shincheonji’s Revelation teaching marks not just an individual turning point, but what many see as a potential catalyst for broader change within the region’s Christian landscape.

Rev. Yaqub Paul’s journey from Pakistan to Korea shows the far-reaching influence of the Shincheonji Bible Seminar on Revelation. It also reflects a growing movement of pastors worldwide who are finding answers to long-standing questions in Scripture through Shincheonji’s testimony.

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