On Tuesday morning, Cheongju, the capital of North Chungcheong Province in South Korea, witnessed an extraordinary event as 80,000 people gathered to attend a Sunday service at the Matthias Tribe Cheongju Church, affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. This crowd represents about one-tenth of Cheongju’s population of 850,000.
Grand Welcome and Celebrations
The occasion was marked by a grand welcome procession spanning over four kilometres, featuring 100 pastors from various established churches. This impressive turnout was in honour of Chairman Lee Man-hee of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who has been on a nationwide tour, visiting over 40 churches this year. The event also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Cheongju Church.
Attendees included members from the Matthias Tribe, responsible for the Chungcheong area, the John Tribe, which covers Seoul and southern Gyeonggi Province, and other church workers from across the country. Many congregants arrived early to participate in the event and to welcome Chairman Lee.
Chairman Lee’s Impactful Sermon
Chairman Lee is renowned for his profound ability to elucidate the Book of Revelation, a text that many pastors and theological scholars find challenging. More than 100 Protestant pastors from all over Korea gathered to hear his sermon.
One congregation member who arrived the day before expressed, “Despite my lifelong faith, I could never find this kind of understanding elsewhere. Seeing Chairman Lee in person and learning about Revelation was deeply meaningful.”
In his sermon, Chairman Lee highlighted the significance of faith rooted in the scriptures. He expressed, It is a remarkable gift that God has unveiled the Book of Revelation, which remained concealed for 6,000 years, fulfilling the long-held hopes of the faithful. This word is life, and our faith must be entirely grounded in it, achieving unity with God.”
He added, “Our ability to provide evidence of the prophecy sets us apart. We once stood alongside those who were unaware, so it is now essential to remain humble, clarify the truth, and help others understand.”
Emphasis on Bible-Based Faith
Since the establishment of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Chairman Lee has consistently stressed the importance of Revelation and Bible-based faith. This year alone, he has visited over 40 domestic and international churches, including this event in Cheongju, focusing on delivering Revelation’s message with a detailed approach.
The growing interest in Shincheonji Church of Jesus is evident, with many individuals joining due to their desire for deeper biblical understanding. A member who had been with the Presbyterian Church for over 30 years commented, “Despite my extensive religious involvement, I found the clear, comprehensive teaching of Revelation in Chairman Lee’s lecture astonishing.”
Growing Membership
A survey by the Korea Research Institute of Pastoral Data revealed that 65% of Korean Protestants feel spiritually unfulfilled, with 55% seeking structured Bible education. This survey highlights a significant gap in current Protestant education and the intensifying faith decline among younger generations.
In contrast, Shincheonji Church of Jesus is experiencing a rise in young believers and reports over 100,000 members completing regular courses annually. This expansion is credited to the “Bible-centric faith” and the “superiority of the revealed teachings.
Official Statement
An official from Shincheonji Church of Jesus commented, “The essence of Revelation lies in the realization of its prophecy, once considered mere stories, now unfolding in reality. Our church’s systematic curriculum and clear basis in prophecy have garnered widespread recognition. We encourage everyone to witness and evaluate this with an open heart.”
