Chairman Lee Man-hee delivers a message at the 42nd Founding Anniversary Commemorative Service of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, held at Cheongju Church, Shincheonji Church of Jesus on the 15th.
Cheongju, South Korea — March 15, 2026 — Shincheonji Church of Jesus marked its 42nd founding anniversary with a commemorative service at Cheongju Church, reflecting on four decades of growth from a small basement gathering to a denomination that draws tens of thousands of believers worldwide each year. At the heart of its expansion, church leaders say, lies a steadfast commitment to the Word of God.
Chairman Lee Man-hee delivered the anniversary message, urging members to strengthen their faith.
“Just as John 1:1 declares that the Word itself is God, there can be no faith apart from the Word. Today, as we mark our 42nd founding anniversary, let us gather our hearts once more and strive to have a faith that is recognized even before God and the angels,” Lee said.
He also highlighted the importance of the Book of Revelation, adding:
“Revelation 22 states that anyone who adds to or takes away from this book will not enter heaven and will receive a curse. If one truly believes in the Word of God, one must examine whether they have added to or taken away from Revelation.”
Chairman Lee Man-hee reaffirms the principle of Word-centered faith at the 42nd founding anniversary.
Early Believers Reflect on Word-Centered Faith
The church’s early members, who began gatherings on mountains and in open fields before Shincheonji’s formal founding on March 14, 1984, recall the challenges of the early days.
Bak Bok-yeong, 70, a member before the church’s founding, said:
“It was such an immense joy to finally have my thirst for the Word quenched — I believed with gratitude and gladness. Seeing tens of thousands of believers flock here every year, I realize it is ultimately the power of the Word that has moved people’s hearts.”
Jo Myeong-suk, 73, who joined in 1992, emphasized the lasting appeal of Shincheonji’s teachings:
“Believers who hunger for the Word find their way here. The depth I encountered led me to join, and that conviction has drawn generations of faithful ever since.”
Global Growth Through Education
Shincheonji’s global expansion is closely tied to its focus on Bible education. Since 1991, the Zion Christian Mission Center has trained tens of thousands of members each year. In 2019 alone, the center produced over 100,000 graduates, while last year, 59,192 graduates of Class 116 gathered at Cheongju Church, including many international members.
The church has also grown through collaboration with other congregations. As of last year, Shincheonji had signed Word exchange MOUs with 969 churches in South Korea and 14,347 churches across 89 countries, while sign change MOAs involved 129 churches in South Korea and 1,729 churches abroad.
Community Service and Social Impact
Beyond spiritual growth, Shincheonji has actively engaged in social service. Members contributed to relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, donating 3,741 units of plasma, and over 70,000 blood donations were made in just two weeks in 2022 amid a nationwide shortage.
The church has also deployed volunteers to disaster sites, including the Taean oil spill, the 2017 Pohang earthquake, and the Andong-Uiseong wildfires, and continues to serve marginalized communities through medical services and meal-sharing programs for the elderly.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus reflected on its 42-year journey, stating:
“The past 42 years have been a remarkable journey brought about by the dedication of our members alongside the unchanging essence of the Word of God. Going forward, we will do our utmost to spread the value of unwavering truth, rooted in the faith with which we began.”
The anniversary service, attended by over 2,000 members in person and thousands more online, served as both a reflection on the church’s history and a reaffirmation of its mission to propagate Word-centered faith globally.
