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On June 14, the 2026 IWBA Entrance Ceremony was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. IWBA (International Worker Bible Academy) is a Bible education program designed to help young adult working members lead healthy lives in society through faith and make their youth meaningful and fulfilling. This year’s entrance ceremony was especially meaningful as it was held during the 1st IWBA Global Future Leaders Forum. About 10,000 people attended, including young adult working members from six countries who came to Korea as part of the 84th Overseas Visiting Group to attend the forum, young adult working members from across Korea, graduating university and high school students preparing to enter the workforce, young adult and student guidance teachers, and pastoral staff.
During the opening worship service in Part 1, Mother encouraged the attendees, saying, “I hope young adult working members in Korea and overseas will learn from one another and grow together.” She further encouraged them, saying, “God gives ability to those who are determined to accomplish something. Believe in God’s help, and become great prophets who lead the world with the greatest love—the love that saves souls.”
General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol offered practical advice for young adults beginning their careers. He said, “Even when we encounter waves of hardship on the voyage of life, it is important not to be swayed by circumstances or surroundings but to keep God at the center of our hearts.” He continued, “As the people of prophecy and young adults like the dew of the dawn, let us focus on God’s teachings wherever we are and put into practice what we have learned. Then, with God’s help, we will be able to accomplish what we set out to do even in the workplace” (Mt 28:18–20; Col 3:23; Eph 6:6–8; Isa 41:10–13).
An awards ceremony followed in Part 2. Those who had achieved outstanding results in IWBA education and the activities of ASEZ WAO—the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group—were called to the stage. Mother presented awards to the recipients and personally encouraged each one, taking them by the hand. A total of 91 members from 22 countries, including Korea, India, Guatemala, and Uganda, received awards.
The commemorative program in Part 3 featured presentations by IWBA students from Korea and abroad, along with specially produced videos. The program mainly highlighted the experiences of young adults who, after their student years and, for some, military service, had entered a new stage of life in the workplace and were striving for self-development with clear goals and vision grounded in faith. ASEZ WAO’s activities also drew attention, highlighting the meaningful changes its members are bringing about through various environmental initiatives in workplaces and communities around the world.
Applauding the young adults for their passion, Mother encouraged them once again, saying, “With Father’s help, I hope you will plant dreams with love and faith and bear beautiful fruits of the gospel.”
Gong Jae-min from Seoul, Korea, who recently found a job after graduating from university, said, “I was encouraged by more experienced workers who had once gone through the same early stage of their careers that I am experiencing now and who shared their experiences with us.” Jessica Lynne Charles from Dallas, TX, U.S., a member of the visiting group, expressed her anticipation for future activities, saying, “Although we live in different countries, I felt that we are connected like trees in a forest and are standing together. I believe that when we come together, we can accomplish even more.”
