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.

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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.

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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.

On 4th April 2026, a historic gathering unfolded at the Shincheonji Andrew Tribe Training Centre in Busan. In a tremendous show of unity, 1600 people, including 100 pastors from various denominations, congregated for the "2026 Shincheonji Bible Seminar: Testimony on the Fulfilled Realities of Revelation." This event was not merely a theological lecture; it served as a pivotal platform for religious leaders to transcend traditional boundaries and seek a profound, scripture-based alignment.

The journey towards a sustainable city begins with education. On World Water Day and World Meteorological Day, the Gwangju Branch hosted an immersive environmental campaign in urban parks.

Over 140 years ago, the first Christian missionaries arrived in Incheon, planting the seeds of faith that would later spread throughout the nation of South Korea. However, as recent data from the Pastoral Data Research Institute suggests, the number of Christians in Korea is projected to decline significantly by 2050. Despite this trend, Shincheonji Church of Jesus continues to experience remarkable growth, welcoming over 100,000 new graduates annually. What fuels such growth? The unwavering dedication to the Word of God.

In Daejeon, the Matthias Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus established its Promotional Relations Centre at New Cielo in order to grow its contact points with the local community. The name “Cielo” means “heaven” in Spanish, and “New Cielo” signifies “a new heaven” — reflecting Shincheonji's mission to help citizens directly experience and understand the Bible's message of life and salvation.

Designed as an interactive exhibition space, New Cielo features sections displaying the history of the church, visual media, Bible consultation and experience booths, and a café-style lounge, inviting visitors to explore the faith in a comfortable, open environment.

Since its opening in March 2025, New Cielo has hosted numerous seminars and cultural programmes. Two seminars inviting tribe leaders and 24 regular seminars were held, centred on topics of interest to secular people as well, such as biblical history and the role of religion.

During that same period, 32 cultural performances in the form of string performances, vocal ensemble performances, and vocal ensembles put on freely by members of the Shincheonji Daejeon Church, were held at New Cielo.

A resident of Yongmun-dong (neighbourhood) said, “At first, it felt unfamiliar because it was a space run by a church, but I was satisfied because the performances were high-quality and the space was comfortable,” adding, “Since then, I have started using it as a place to drink coffee or stop by with friends to relax.”

Shincheonji Daejeon Church stated that the purpose behind the PR Centre is to “expand faith-based and cultural exchanges with the local community.”

Going forward, New Cielo plans to hold more Bible seminars, exhibitions, and educational programmes, positioning itself as a spiritual and cultural hub for Daejeon and beyond.

Meanwhile, according to Shincheonji Daejeon Church, the promotional centre recorded approximately 15,000 visitors since its opening in March last year.

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In an era where sporadic acts of kindness are common, long-term commitment stands out as a true catalyst for social change. The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Uijeongbu Branch serves as a profound example of this principle, having quietly maintained its presence in the community for over a decade. With a remarkable record of 240 completed initiatives and a cumulative total of 4800 participants, their journey represents a deep-seated dedication to the well-being of Uijeongbu’s residents.

The Uijeongbu Branch has systematically expanded its reach to touch every corner of city life, moving beyond simple labour to provide specialised support in four key areas:

The societal impact of such long-term commitment is best understood through its role in strengthening the social fabric. Chun-sik Lim, Professor Emeritus at Hannam University, offers a compelling perspective on the necessity of such private-sector involvement:

In 2026, numerous branches of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group have carried out environmental clean-up campaigns, as part of the ongoing “Nature, Let’s Be Green” initiative.

Activities are focused on improving pedestrian environments, maintaining public facilities, and encouraging civic awareness regarding waste disposal and community responsibility.

In Daegu, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group carried out an environmental cleanup activity on 31st March around the entrance of Mt. Jangdeung.

A total of 20 volunteers participated in the “Nature, Let's Be Green” initiative, thoroughly sorting and collecting 13 bags of 50-litre household waste and recyclable materials by type.

This activity was organised in response to increased wildfire risks during Korea’s dry winter season and ahead of spring (when forest fire incidents historically rise), thereby providing a pleasant environment for spring hikers. In the event of a wildfire, long-neglected waste has the potential to pose a high risk of becoming flammable material.

Ki-tae Kang (70s), a resident from the neighbourhood who observed the scene, shared:

“Litter had been dumped across the entrance of Mt. Jangdeung for so long that some of it was buried in the ground,” adding, “I am grateful that it has become recognisable and clean.”

A volunteer remarked, “Collecting such a large amount of litter made me realise the importance of environmental protection once again.”

Meanwhile, the Daegu branch has made it clear that this is just the beginning. They are dedicated to continuing their regular clean-up activities not only at Mt. Jangdeung but also at major local landmarks and environmentally vulnerable areas.

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Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Gwangyang Church of the Peter Tribe, hosted its first Spring Seminar of the year under the theme “Come Spring, Enjoy Spring, Spring Again.” The event, held on 29th March 2026, was designed to provide local residents with an inside look at church life, community service, and cultural activities.

More than 450 citizens, ranging in age from their 20s to their 80s, attended the seminar, eager to experience the church firsthand. Many expressed that they wanted to see for themselves what Shincheonji was really like, beyond what they had heard online or through media.

One visitor explained:

“Seeing and hearing firsthand about the things I had always been curious about made me feel much closer than before,” adding, “I feel much lighter than before I came. I would like to come back for the next event.”

On the first floor of the church's exhibition hall, guided tours highlighted Shincheonji's extensive community contributions. Displays included:

Visitor, Yu-ri Park (30s, Suncheon, South Jeolla Province), commented with surprise:

On the second floor, the mood shifted to entertainment. Attendees enjoyed live performances, recreational games, and a vocal ensemble of the seniors group resonated with the audience through deep harmonies. The performance concluded with lively dance and sign language performances by the youth.

The seminar concluded with a talk by head lecturer Eun-guk Cho, who emphasised the church's vision of transparency and community connection:

Meanwhile, the Open Seminar at Shincheonji Gwangyang Church showcased not only the church's faith-based activities but also its cultural warmth and dedication to community service. By welcoming local residents into its space, the church hopes to build greater understanding and stronger ties with the people of Gwangyang.

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As Shincheonji Church of Jesus marks its 42nd anniversary in 2026, the spotlight turns to the Peter Tribe. Centred in Gwangju and the Jeonnam region—areas historically known for their spirit of justice and democracy—the Peter Tribe has grown into the largest within the organisation. This growth is rooted in a "faith of action," blending deep biblical study with active social contribution and cultural engagement.

The Peter Tribe’s history began in April 1986 with a humble gathering of only 10 members in a small room in Sansu-dong (neighbourhood), Gwangju. Despite its small start, the tribe prioritised "Word-centred growth," hosting its first major Bible seminar in 1988.

Today, it stands as the largest tribe in Shincheonji, overseeing eight branch churches across the Jeonnam region (including Mokpo, Yeosu, and Suncheon) and expanding its global reach to Australia, Ethiopia, Colombia, and several Middle Eastern nations.

To foster transparency and community connection, the Peter Tribe utilises various cultural contents: