The Peter Heavenly Culture Academy (PHCA), a youth holiday education programme operated by Shincheonji Gwangju Church, has established itself as a meaningful alternative education model for students during school breaks.

Established to build character and faith among the members of the student and children's groups during the holiday season, the PCHA enables the youth to actively explore culture, arts, sports, and practical skills through a system of 'talent sharing,' whereby all PHCA courses are conducted through volunteer instructors from within the church community who bring professional experience and practical expertise from their respective fields for the good of fellow student and child congregants.

In 2025, a total of 858 students participated in 60 courses on the programme, enabling students to experience a wide range of activities while maintaining continuity in programme structure and educational goals. The programme was split across two sessions - winter term (1st session: 29 courses, 471 student participants),  and summer term (2nd session: 31 courses, 387 student participants).

Development between the two sessions was evident. While early sessions focused primarily on culture, praise, and physical activities, the second term expanded into media and digital-focused courses. This shift marked a move beyond participation-based activities towards careers exploration and skill development, offering students opportunities to engage with practical and contemporary fields.

One of the defining features of the PHCA is that it supports informed and personalised choices through its pre-course expo, held before each term begins, whereby students and parents are able to experience sample classes directly, meet instructors, and discuss course content before enrolment, thereby empowering students to choose courses based on personal interest and aptitude rather than recommendation or obligation, while giving parents a clear understanding of the programme’s direction and values.

Student and parent feedback highlights balanced learning as participants report that the PHCA provided a different experience from traditional holiday routines focused on academic study or private tutoring. Indeed, students shared that the programme helped them discover personal interests, gain confidence through hands-on activities, and build relationships with peers in a group setting.

Parents also expressed satisfaction, noting that the programme allowed their children to experience both learning and rest, while growing socially and emotionally during school breaks.

Looking ahead, with two completed terms and strong participation results, the PHCA has now expanded into its third term, continuing to demonstrate the potential of holiday-based, experiential education led by community cooperation. He added that the academy will continue offering student-centred programmes each holiday season, providing structured opportunities for learning, exploration, and personal development.