On the morning of September 8, 2024, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, transformed into a hive of spiritual activity as over 80,000 members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus congregated for a monumental Sunday service at the Cheongju Church of the Matthias Tribe. This substantial gathering, representing one-tenth of Cheongju's population, included local residents, visitors from various South Korean cities, key church figures, and over 100 protestant-based pastors, all eager to hear Chairman Lee Man-hee's sermon.
The event held particular significance as it coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Cheongju Church's founding. From early morning, scores of Shincheonji members lined up along a 4km route from the Cheongju IC to the church, awaiting Chairman Lee's arrival to gain insights into biblical prophecies, particularly the often-misunderstood Book of Revelation.
One member expressed gratitude for Chairman Lee's clear explanations, stating, "I am grateful for Chairman Lee's clear explanations of the prophecies and their fulfillment because this is something I had never experienced in my life as a believer." Chairman Lee emphasized the importance of understanding the Book of Revelation, remarking, "How thankful are we that God gave us the understanding of this Book of Revelation, that no one knew for 6,000 years," and adding, "this Word is life."
Chairman Lee has consistently stressed the importance of scripture-based teachings since the Shincheonji Church's inception. In 2024 alone, he visited more than 40 churches domestically and internationally, preaching the Bible and Revelation. His teachings have resonated with many who previously felt spiritually unsatisfied, prompting a significant number to turn to Shincheonji for deeper spiritual guidance.
Recent data underscores this trend. A survey conducted by the Pastoral Data Research Institute in September 2023 revealed that 65% of South Korean churchgoers feel a spiritual thirst, with 55% desiring more structured biblical education from their pastors. This spiritual void is particularly concerning for Korean Christian churches, which have seen a consistent decrease in youth membership as individuals in their 20s and 30s leave religion.
In contrast, Shincheonji Church has experienced a surge in young adult members and sees over 100,000 people completing its eight-month educational course annually. The church attributes this growth to its "word-centered faith" and the "uniqueness of the revealed Word." As a result, Shincheonji celebrates 100,000 graduations each year, reflecting a global sentiment towards its teachings.
A Shincheonji Church of Jesus staff member highlighted the impact of Chairman Lee's teachings, stating, "The main takeaways from Chairman Lee's revealed word is that the Book of Revelation that we thought as a fairytale is actually being fulfilled with its reality. In regards to this, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has strong evidential proof and a structured curriculum, which becomes the reason why many people despite their background are accepting this."
He added, "Because this originates from the pastor who has seen and heard the physical fulfillment of the prophecies, we hope that believers would check and decide with a mature attitude."
