The Korean Christian community currently faces a dual crisis: a decline in public trust and the operational difficulties of small-to-medium-sized churches. Pastor Jo of Church A candidly admitted that traditional ministry methods had reached their limits.

His decision to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Shincheonji Namsan Church was not just a survival strategy, but a pastoral choice to return to the essence of the church—the Word of God.

What led a local pastor to take this bold step?

The cooperation is starting with practical steps. Rather than a sudden change, Church A will begin by engaging in sermon exchanges with the lecturers of Shincheonji Namsan Church.

Head Lecturer Hyeon-ji Lim of Namsan Church emphasised, “This signboard ceremony is the start of a promise to build up the church together within the Word. We will continue to support this partnership so it brings practical benefits to the congregation.”

The "Partner Church" movement is proving that when labels are set aside and the Bible is put first, growth and healing follow. This ceremony in Seoul is a beacon of hope, showing that cooperation—not competition—is the key to revitalising faith in the modern world.

Source: https://vo.la/yLUSUcc

In Blantyre, Malawi, the public waste management system had reached a breaking point. For years, the Central Business District (CBD) struggled with neglected waste, posing a threat to both public health and the city’s image. While many saw a problem, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus (Malawi Branch) saw an opportunity to practice the core Christian values of being "Light and Salt."

What started in June 2023 as a simple cleanup has now reached its 15th official session. For over a year, volunteers have consistently gathered twice a month to restore the cleanliness of Blantyre’s streets.

This isn't just about picking up litter; it’s about changing the mindset of an entire city. Mphatso Miles, a 20-year-old volunteer who has attended every single session, noted a heartwarming shift: “At first, people just walked past us. Now, I see residents actively choosing not to litter after we've cleaned the streets.”

The impact of the "Day of Light and Salt" has caught the eye of local professionals. Dream Pharmaceuticals, a prominent local pharmacy, has officially stepped in to support the cause. CEO Wanangwa Saka recognised that this campaign directly aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. To ensure the safety of the volunteers, the pharmacy has pledged a continuous supply of protective gear, including masks and gloves. This partnership proves that when a religious organisation leads with sincerity, the business community is eager to follow.

The local media outlet Times 360 Malawi has been closely following these efforts. In a recent interview, Mike Ndayi, a local instructor for the group, emphasised that maintaining public cleanliness is more than just a civic duty—it is an act of faith that supports the national presidential directives on environmental sanitation.

The Malawi Branch isn't stopping at environmental work. With the trust built through 15 rounds of consistent service, they are now planning to collaborate with local institutions to tackle broader social issues, such as supporting street youth and improving urban welfare.

In Blantyre, "Light and Salt" is no longer just a metaphor—it’s a living, breathing transformation of a nation.

Source: https://vo.la/GQHFUsD

While spring has arrived with blooming flowers, many Korean War veterans still live in a "cold winter" of loneliness and poverty. As the generation that witnessed the tragedy of war rapidly fades, the Bartholomew Tribe Hwagok Church has stepped up, not just with supplies, but with a heart for true peace.

To understand the significance of this work, we must look at the numbers. According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, of the 900,000 soldiers who fought in the Korean War, only about 30,216 remain today —a staggering 96.6% decrease.

With an average age of 93, these heroes are often left in the shadows of society. “I can still hear my comrades crying out for help amidst the shells,” shares Jeong-taek Lim, head of the Yangcheon branch of the Veterans Association. Recognising this urgency, Shincheonji Hwagok Church has dedicated the past five years to ensuring these voices are heard before they disappear forever.

Since 2021, the Hwagok Church has moved beyond simple donations to focus on psychological recovery.

Peace is not a gift; it is a legacy that must be protected. Shincheonji Hwagok Church actively bridges the gap between generations. Last May, they invited Chairman Lim to speak to 40 young church members.

He shared raw, firsthand accounts of fighting as a 17-year-old student soldier. His message was clear: “Peace is not achieved by words alone; it must be protected through action.” This living moved the youth, reminding them that their daily freedom was bought with the sacrifice of those before them.

Under the leadership of Head Lecturer Baek Do-hun, Hwagok Church remains committed to this mission. From security education for youth to recording the testimonies of veterans, their work is a powerful reminder that faith is most beautiful when it serves the forgotten.

By honouring the heroes of the past, we are not just looking back—we are building a foundation for a peaceful future.

Source: https://vo.la/x3s9AlA

The "2026 Nationwide Bible Seminar Tour," which began in Gwangju and swept through Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, reached a fever pitch in Daegu on 18th April. Held at the Hotel Interburgo, the event drew in 1500 participants, including 120 prominent religious and social leaders.

With this latest stop, the tour’s cumulative attendance has surpassed 33,200, with nearly 780 pastors from established denominations participating—a clear sign that the denominational walls are not just cracking, but crumbling.

The highlight of the seminar was the lecture by Chairman ManHee Lee, who delivered a message focused on the "physical reality" of biblical prophecy.

What made the Daegu seminar truly historic was the testimony of Pastor A, a seasoned Presbyterian minister and alumnus of prestigious seminaries (Youngnam & Presbyterian University & Theological Seminary). After 27 years of overseas mission work, his transformation has sent shockwaves through the religious community.

The numbers presented by the Thaddeus Tribe further underscored this shift. As of late March 2026, the tribe has signed 797 Bible Exchange Agreements (MOUs) with domestic and international churches. This data proves that the movement towards biblical dialogue is a global trend, not an isolated incident.

The Daegu seminar demonstrated that the hunger for the "Revealed Word" is eclipsing long-standing prejudices. When 90% of a prophecy is fulfilled, the remaining 10% is not a matter of "if," but "when." For those seeking the Truth, the message from Daegu was clear: Stop judging from a distance; come and verify for yourself.

Citing various scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, he taught on the origin of life and the importance of the spirit: “Humans are beings whose subject is not the body, but the mind—that is, the spirit.” In particular, citing Luke 8:11 and 1 Peter 1:23, he emphasised the need to be spiritually re-born through the words of the Bible.

Reactions from the attendees followed the lecture. One participant commended its logical, step-by-step explanation: “The biblical content was explained structurally, which helped me understand the flow.” Another participant said, “I felt like it served as an opportunity to rethink the fundamental questions of life.”

On 5th March, the Western Busan branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group mobilised over a dozen volunteers for a 'Plastic Zero' campaign to restore the coastline of Gwangalli Beach in Busan. 

Gwangalli Beach has experienced growing sanitation concerns driven by increasing tourism and insufficient waste management, with food and household waste left mixed together and abandoned on the beach, despite the installation of recycling facilities throughout the beach.

One tourist who witnessed the cleanup expressed gratitude:-

With one ton of waste cleared in just one day, the volunteers’ effort shows how community-driven action can make a visible difference for both the environment and the people who enjoy it.

Meanwhile, the Western Busan branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has been promoting environmental campaigns and public awareness activities for the success of the various upcoming Expos since last year.

The Shincheonji Jinhae Church, part of the Busan James Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, carried out a 7-day plogging campaign, helping improve the local environment around the church.

Plogging—an activity that combines jogging or walking with picking up litter—was conducted during the Naval Port Festival, a celebration that typically draws hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the country, leading to environmental and waste issues.

During the campaign, volunteers collected cigarette butts and everyday litter while walking through the vicinity surrounding the church, amassing a staggering 500 litres of waste.

A citizen recognised the volunteers and thanked them for the clean-up effort:

A representative from Shincheonji Jinhae Church explained that the plogging campaign has become an opportunity not only to care for the environment but also to build natural connections with neighbours.

Source: vo.la/L2Zu2Oj

According to the "Quality of Life 2025" report by the Korea’s National Data Agency, the social safety net for South Korea’s elderly is facing significant strain. With 23.7% of seniors living alone and social isolation rates among those over 60 reaching a staggering 39.4%, the need for human connection has become a matter of public health. Most concerning is the suicide rate among those aged 80 and over, which stands at 53.3 per 100,000 people—the highest of any age group.

In response to these critical indicators, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group (Seoul & Southern Gyeonggi Branch) focused its Q1 2026 quarterly efforts on high-touch, person-to-person support. From January to March, the group consistently reached out to 291 seniors, maintaining a weekly average of 25 personalised visits to ensure no one was left without a "neighbour" to talk to.

The group’s methodology moves beyond simple resource delivery, focusing instead on restoring the "social fabric" through three specific types of interaction:

A representative from the volunteer group emphasised that as society ages, “the warmth of a person and sincere communication are often more vital than material support.” By bridging the "generational gap" through consistent 1-on-1 interaction, these initiatives act as a crucial buffer against the rising tide of elderly isolation.

Source: vo.la/6Slu6r7

On 22nd March, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Matthias Tribe, Cheongju Church) held a special Bible seminar themed “Presenting the Solution to Birth, Ageing, Sickness, and Death”, which explored one of humanity’s most universal questions through a biblical lens.

The Shincheonji Thomas Tribe has continued a long-running community engagement initiative, keeping its church facilities open to local residents for nearly two decades.

Located in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, the Shincheonji Thomas Tribe Gunsan Church recently hosted another “Open Sanctuary” event, an event for citizen encouragement and cultural enjoyment. Roughly 200 citizens attended.

Residents gathered to enjoy various musical Ogo-mu (traditional drum dance) performances, experience booths, a photo zone, and a lecture.

According to the church, the initiative is not a one-time event but part of a 20-year tradition of lowering physical and social barriers between religious facilities and the surrounding community.

For two decades, the Thomas Tribe has used its church space as what it describes as a “barrier-free Community Living room” — a place where:

By opening its facilities, the church aims to provide accessible gathering spaces in response to increasing social isolation, particularly among elderly residents and individuals living alone.

A local resident, Mr. Lee (71, male, Susong-dong), who attended the 14th March community event, shared, “As I get older, people around me leave and my children are busy with their own lives, so it was difficult to find special joys.” At the end of the event, he said, “Coming here warmed my heart, and I felt a desire to gain strength through faith.”

The initiative extends beyond offering physical space.

The Thomas Tribe has introduced practical, community-focused programmes, including:

In 2025 alone, approximately 40 invitation-based community events were hosted, according to the church.

Organisers note that residents have increasingly begun asking in advance about upcoming events, suggesting sustained community engagement.

As South Korea faces challenges related to an ageing population and the rise of single-person households, the Thomas Tribe has announced plans to strengthen age-specific programmes.

Future initiatives include:

The church states that its goal is to function as a stable neighbourhood presence that fosters intergenerational connection.