The 83rd Overseas Visiting Group

In autumn, when the deep blue sky and vividly colored foliage come together to inspire admiration, the 83rd Overseas Visiting Group set foot in Korea. This visiting group, spanning all continents, consisted of about 180 members from 21 countries, including the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, India, Australia, South Africa, Spain, and Portugal. On November 3, about ten days before the New Jerusalem Day Commemorative Event, members participating in the event performances began arriving one after another, and the remaining members arrived a week later. They stayed for up to two weeks, until the 17th, spending meaningful time within Mother’s love. The schedule was conducted with simultaneous interpretation in eight languages, including English, Japanese, Hindi, and German.

Heavenly Mother warmly welcomed the children who had flown from distant lands like clouds and doves in accordance with a prophecy in the Bible, opening Her arms wide and greeting them affectionately. She also encouraged the members who had set aside their busy daily lives and devoted considerable effort and labor to visit Korea, praying that they would receive abundant blessings of the Holy Spirit and deep understanding of the truth. She blessed them to be reborn as great workers and protagonists who will fulfill the world evangelism by powerfully proclaiming the news of salvation not only in their home countries but also in neighboring nations.

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol awakened each member to the fact that they are figures of prophecy who have been promised a magnificent future by God. He instilled in them a sense of mission as workers of the new covenant. He emphasized that “we are God’s true people who have received Christ Ahnsahnghong and Heavenly Mother, the Saviors of this age, and follow Their voice,” and encouraged them, saying, “Faith must be accompanied by action. With pride and conviction in the truth, let us follow to the end the path of salvation that Heavenly Father and Mother have shown us, and guide all humanity so they too may enter that path.”

The visiting group’s schedule was thoughtfully filled with visits to regional churches in the Seoul and Incheon areas that bear the footsteps of Father and Mother, attendance at temple dedication worship services, and tours of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Museum of Korea, the Seoul Sky Observatory, and an aquarium. At regional churches, Korean members welcomed the visiting group holding national flags, and the group’s colorful traditional attire further adorned the beautifully colored autumn scenery. There was also time to view the Church of God History Museum and exhibitions such as the Father’s True Heart Exhibition, the “Our Mother” Writing & Photo Exhibition, and the MEDIA’S VIEWS Exhibition. The sacrifices of Heavenly Father and Mother, who personally cultivated the field of the gospel in the early days of the church, and the warm love of the heavenly family—members accumulated lasting realizations and memories as they took part in the diverse schedule. They vividly examined the explosively growing history of the gospel in Korea and gained confidence to swiftly accomplish gospel work in their respective locations.

The finale of the schedule was the New Jerusalem Day Commemorative Event, held at Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute together with about 21,000 Korean members. The performers offered thanks and glory to God with the skills they had diligently practiced, and all members of the visiting group were deeply moved and filled with grace as they experienced the power and beauty of unity.

Returning home after completing the tight schedule, the hearts of the visiting members were filled with love and passion. Boffin Mathew, a deacon who visited from West Asia, shared, “I came to understand more deeply the love and sacrifice of Heavenly Father and Mother for our salvation. Thinking of Father and Mother who suffer because of Their lost children, I will devote myself to the gospel mission during the time given to me.” Jenny Pun, a sister from Oceania, also said, “I will unite with all brothers and sisters to deliver Mother’s love, which is needed more than anything else by all people in the world.”

Interviews With the 83rd Overseas Visiting Group

“While working after moving to the Dominican Republic, I received the truth through a friend. The more I understood the truth, the stronger my desire grew to share this gospel with many people. While stopping by my hometown, I happened to meet a brother from Colombia. He told me that he had left his hometown to deliver the new covenant to Venezuela, where there was still only one Zion. As someone originally from Venezuela, that was the moment I clearly realized what my mission was. I wrapped up my life in the Dominican Republic and returned home. By the grace of Father and Mother I guided my family to God Elohim and began setting up a place of worship in the village. Now there are about thirty people who worship together.
It is not easy to balance my job, preaching, caring for the members, and leading worship, but by participating in this visiting group and seeing, hearing, and feeling the sacrifice of Father and Mother, I realized how great and valuable the mission entrusted to me is. In Korea, the gospel began in a small house church, but now there are hundreds of churches and an enormous number of Zion members. I am convinced that if I diligently convey and practice Mother’s love, the same miracle will soon unfold in Venezuela.”
Rhoderyk Rodriguez from Caracas, Venezuela

“I often hear people say, ‘When you become a mother, you give up your life as a woman.’ It likely means that after a child is born, one focuses solely on the child, living a completely altruistic life and setting aside one’s own desires and needs. While visiting as part of the group and viewing the “Our Mother” exhibition, I was moved by a mother’s story. The mother woke up early at dawn to light a fire and warm the room so that her family would not be cold. I felt that this truly represented the life of a mother.
I want to live a life of devotion for the beloved brothers and sisters in the gospel and for the many souls who are earnestly waiting to hear the news of salvation. While preparing to serve as an emcee for the New Jerusalem Day Commemorative Event, I came to deeply reflect on what it means to live such a devoted life. Even when a host memorizes the script, understands the cues, and prepares diligently, the event cannot be carried out smoothly without unity among all the staff. Through this experience, I realized once again the importance of oneness. Although our roles differed, we prayed for one another and worked with one heart, completing the event smoothly and graciously. This experience reminded me that the work of saving souls is the same—individual effort is important, but unity in heart and prayer is essential. After returning home, I am determined to practice what I learned in Korea, uphold unity among the members, and bear abundant fruit that brings joy to Father and Mother.”
Jessica Suarez from Miami, Florida, U.S.

“Beautiful.” If I were to describe in a single word the six years I have spent in Zion since receiving Elohim God, this word feels most fitting.
When I finally came to know the true God I had longed to meet through the Bible, my heart trembled with deep emotion. Learning about the Sabbath led me to reflect on my past, realizing that I had not even properly kept this most fundamental commandment. Although I felt sorrow, I was also filled with relief and gratitude that I could now keep the Sabbath according to God’s will. Soon after I began my life of faith, the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world. At a time when people inevitably grew distant from one another, I instead received abundant love from God and from brothers and sisters in Zion. The truth and love I experienced in Zion became a precious turning point and a new milestone in my life.
This visit marked my first time coming to Korea. The journey took twenty-five hours—far longer and farther than I had imagined. I once wondered how the gospel, which began in Korea, could have reached our country so far away. Now I clearly understand that it was possible through the boundless sacrifice of Father and Mother and through the devoted efforts of countless Korean brothers and sisters who followed Their example. For this, I offer my heartfelt gratitude to Father and Mother and deep respect to all the members.
In Africa, brothers and sisters are also running tirelessly to their hometowns, nearby cities, and even distant regions such as North Africa to spread the gospel and establish Zion. The dedication of college student members is especially remarkable. Considering the reality in Africa, where the voices of young people are often not taken seriously, their passionate gospel work is truly inspiring. I, too, want to contribute to the completion of the gospel in Africa alongside them. Although my faith has sometimes faltered and stumbled in the past, I am determined that from now on it will be different. I resolve to deliver the news of salvation to my family, coworkers, and everyone I meet—anytime and anywhere.”
Simnikiwe Mqwebedu, Cape Town, South Africa

“Long ago, when Europeans crossed over to Canada and settled, forming families with the Indigenous peoples, the Métis people came into being. The Métis dance we prepared for this event is a traditional dance that has been enjoyed by the Métis people for generations. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to present a culture handed down through generations to our beloved God and to brothers and sisters in Zion at this meaningful occasion that honors God’s love and grace.
I believe that each performance prepared by members from different countries carries its own unique meaning. Through opportunities like this, learning about and understanding one another’s cultures becomes truly important. Such experiences allow us to feel more deeply connected to one another and help lead us toward greater unity and harmony. After returning to Canada, I hope to achieve complete unity with the brothers and sisters and, with one heart, work diligently to accomplish the preaching of the gospel to all 8 billion people of the world.”
Paige L’Hirondelle from Edmonton, Canada

“When King Cyrus of Persia saw in the book of Isaiah that God would help him and that what he would accomplish in the future was recorded, he was deeply moved and strove to fulfill the prophecy. While hearing during the Sabbath service that we are all standing on the fulfillment of the biblical prophecy that says, “They will fly from distant lands like clouds and doves to Jerusalem,” I realized what mission has been entrusted to me and how great that blessing is, and I was deeply moved.
In Argentina, many members are going on short-term missions to neighboring countries. That is also one way of fulfilling prophecy. I, too, earnestly hope to stand in that line, crying out, “Here I am; send me.” Of course, I still have many shortcomings and sometimes make mistakes. However, because Mother always embraces me and endlessly gives me love to regain courage, I believe I can grow further and become a great worker.
The happy time I spent with Mother at the Elohim Training Institute remains vividly in my heart. How much better it would have been if Father had been there as well. I pray to become a daughter who finds all the scattered heavenly family and hastens the completion of the gospel.”
Agustina Ignacio, Lanús, Argentina

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