Shincheonji Church of Jesus Marks 42nd Anniversary
From a Basement Beginning to a Denomination Growing by Tens of Thousands Every Year
NEW YORK, NY, March 20, 2026 -- The dedication of the early believers who started in an apartment basement 42 years ago became the seed of a revival that today draws tens of thousands of faithful from around the world every year. At the heart of that growth lies a steadfast principle of faith rooted in the Word — the very essence of true belief.
Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, held a commemorative service on March 15th at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church in South Korea to mark its 42nd anniversary. More than 2,000 members attended in person, while believers from South Korea and abroad joined online via livestream, adding further significance to the occasion.
In his proclamation of the Word, Shincheonji Church Chairman Lee Man-hee urged the congregation toward true faith, stating: "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."
Early Believers Reflect: "The Secret to Shincheonji's Growth Is the Overwhelming Power of the Word"
Shincheonji Church of Jesus did not begin in a building — it began on mountains and in open fields. In an era when there was no proper place of worship, Chairman Lee Man-hee held mountain worship services before proclaiming the founding of Shincheonji on March 14, 1984.
The first-generation believers who laid the groundwork for Shincheonji's growth carried a particularly deep sense of reflection as they welcomed the 42nd anniversary service.
"It was such an immense joy to finally have my thirst for the Word quenched — I believed with gratitude and gladness. Thanks to the fullness that the revealed Word brought, the difficult conditions were no obstacle at all," said Bak Bok-yeong, age 70, who has been a Shincheonji Church member since before its founding. "Now, 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. All of this is the power of the Word, and the grace of God."
Since its founding, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has dedicated itself to proclaiming the fulfilled realities of the Book of Revelation. This is clearly reflected in the work of the Zion Christian Mission Center, Shincheonji's Bible education center. The center, which had its first graduating class in 1991, produced over 100,000 graduates in a single year in 2019.
Last year, 59,192 graduates of Zion Christian Mission Center's Class 116 gathered at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church. A significant number among them were international graduates, demonstrating that the revealed Word is spreading across the globe.
Shincheonji Marks 42nd Anniversary With Active Exchange and Community Service
Shincheonji Church of Jesus is expanding its engagement with the wider world. The church has been actively building relationships through signing a Word exchange memorandum of understanding (MOU) and sign change memorandum of agreement (MOA) with pastoral communities at home and abroad. As of 2025, cumulative Word exchange MOUs have reached 969 churches in South Korea and 14,347 churches across 89 countries overseas. Through sign change MOAs, 129 churches in South Korea and 1,729 churches across 48 countries have changed their church signs to Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus has also fulfilled its social responsibilities by taking the lead in practical relief efforts during national crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 3,741 members donated plasma to support the development of treatments. In 2022, amid a nationwide blood shortage, more than 70,000 members completed blood donations within just two weeks, playing a pivotal role in resolving the crisis.
"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," said a Shincheonji Church of Jesus representative. "Going forward, we will do our utmost to spread the value of unwavering truth, rooted in the faith with which we began."
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Contact Information
New Heaven New EarthShincheonji Church of Jesus
New York, New York
United States
Voice: 917-794-2192
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