A Church Revitalised by Youth: Shincheonji Busan James Tribe Grows Through Community Service and Outreach
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| Members of the Masan branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group are sharing tteokguk (rice cake soup) with seniors ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday. |
The Busan James Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, led by Tribe Leader Young-no Lee, continues to grow while strengthening its connection with the local community in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions.
Through volunteer activities, cultural programmes, and open-house events, the church has focused on creating opportunities for communication and cooperation with local residents.
◆ Strong Participation From Young Members
One notable feature of the Busan James Tribe is the active involvement of young members. According to church representatives, about 30% of the congregation consists of young adults, a relatively high proportion compared with many Protestant churches in the region.
Youth leader Seung-hoon Chae explained that young members contribute to both the church and society through cultural activities, volunteer service, and talent sharing.
Church member Ga-hyun Kim, who has attended the church for seven years, said that studying the Bible helped her better understand her faith.
“There were many parts of the Bible that I could not clearly understand before, but studying it more systematically helped many things make sense.”
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| A panoramic view of the Busan James Tribe Church temple, located in Hadan neighbourhood, Saha District |
◆ A Community Built Through Long-Term Dedication
The growth of the Busan James Tribe also reflects the dedication of earlier members who helped build the church community.
Long-time member Gwang-oh Lee, who has practised his faith in Shincheonji for over 30 years, described the church as a place where members feel like family.
Another member, Min-ho Lee, recalled volunteering during the renovation of the church building in Hadan neighbourhood, Saha District, where members worked together to remove heavy stone flooring from a former sauna space during remodelling.
◆ Community Outreach and Cultural Programmes
As the church has grown, the Busan James Tribe has expanded its outreach activities.
One of the most representative programmes is the quarterly Open House event, where local residents are invited to visit the church. The programme includes:
- Theatre and musical performances
- Vocal and traditional Korean music performances
- Health checkups and cultural experience booths
- Recycling crafts and hobby activities
Visitors are also welcomed with small gifts such as carnations or flower bouquets.
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| Attendees listen to a lecture by Young-no Lee, the leader of the Busan James Tribe, at an open house event held at the Busan Church on February 7th |
The church also organises regular volunteer programmes throughout the year, including:
- Kimchi sharing campaigns
- Health consultations for seniors
- Hair and beauty volunteer services
- Street clean-up campaigns
According to church representatives, these activities are intended to strengthen cooperation with the local community.
“Communicating and growing together with the local community is an important role for the church.”
Through continued volunteer work and outreach programmes, the Busan James Tribe has developed into a faith community that combines religious life with community service in Busan.
Source: vo.la/P553KaX
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