Global News

The 24th Melchizedek Literary Award Ceremony

On January 25, the 24th Melchizedek Literary Award Ceremony was held in the seminar room of the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple. The Melchizedek Literary Award is a literary contest that discovers writer-prophets who convey the gospel of the new covenant and the love of God Elohim to the world through writings inspired by the Holy Spirit. Since its inception in 2001, more than 23,000 works have been submitted. About 460 people attended the ceremony, including domestic award recipients, finalists, literary club members, local reporters for news and photography, and student reporters who have contributed in various fields. The event began with an animation based on an award-winning essay that reflected on the values of family love and gratitude. Following the…

Korea

Jan 25, 2026

Commemorative Event for the 108th Anniversary of the Birth of Christ Ahnsahnghong

“The bright, heav’nly way, before me, lies clearly in my sight; and though sorrows sore beset me, and troubles black as night, at the splendor from the skies ev’ry darkling shadow flies . . .” Members lifted their voices together in the New Song, expressing their longing and gratitude toward Heavenly Father and their resolve to quickly deliver the light of the truth to the whole world. On January 11 and 12, a commemorative event for the 108th anniversary of the birth of Christ Ahnsahnghong was held for two days at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. At the preliminary commemorative worship service held ahead of the birth date on January 19 (December 1 by the lunar calendar), about 20,000 people…

Korea

Jan 12, 2026

‘The Words of Mother’s Love’ Seminars Held Nationwide, Including Incheon and Busan

“Talking with my cousin who lives in Switzerland has become easier than ever, but talking with my husband over breakfast has become more difficult. His eyes are constantly on his smartphone instead of me.” Yuval Harari, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Gimm-Young Publishers Rapidly advancing communication technology has not necessarily led to the advancement of communication itself. In an era when individualism is widespread and psychological distance between people continues to grow, experts advise that kind words rooted in warm concern can strengthen relationships and add warmth to society. On December 28, 2025, and January 4, 2026, the Church of God held the seminar titled, “The Words of Mother's Love That Brings Peace to Families and Neighbors” over two…

Korea

Jan 4, 2026

Hope Supporters Active Around the World in the New Year as Well

Although the new year brings heightened expectations and excitement, the international community continues to face challenges due to unstable international affairs, economic stagnation, and the climate crisis. In an era where it is hard to be optimistic about the future, members of the Church of God, who have actively carried out diverse hope-sharing activities as “Hope Supporters” for the global family, are planning activities tailored to each region and season to further accelerate their efforts in 2026 as well. The worldwide social contribution activities of the Global Hope Supporters, launched in April 2024 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Church of God, are carried out in six major areas: responding to climate change, alleviating poverty and…

Dec 31, 2025

Healing Concerts With Neighbors Held in Gwangju and Jinju

On December 21, the “Chamber Orchestra Happy Concert With Neighbors” was held at the Church of God in Banglim, Gwangju, and the “Happy Concert & Seminar With Neighbors” was held at the Church of God in Jinju. The events were prepared to conclude the year by presenting neighbors a time of healing and to wish for a healthy passage into the coming new year. On this day, about 1,000 people in total—including local members, families, friends, acquaintances, and figures from various sectors—attended and spent meaningful time communicating with one another. At the Gwangju Church, the event opened with a performance by a chamber orchestra composed of local members of the Church of God. The orchestra created a bright and hopeful…

Korea

Dec 21, 2025

The 6th ASEZ WAO Environmental Concert to End Plastic Pollution by 2040

On December 7, ASEZ WAO, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, held the “6th ASEZ WAO Environmental Concert to End Plastic Pollution by 2040” at the Church of God in Daegu Bukgu, Korea. ASEZ WAO organizes environmental concerts both domestically and internationally to raise awareness of the seriousness of plastic pollution and to encourage active participation from governments, corporations, and citizens in addressing this global challenge. Launched in December 2024 at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple in Seongnam, Korea, the concert series has continued as a global relay, reaching Faucett, Peru; Denver, Colorado, U.S.; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Lalitpur, Nepal. This Daegu concert brought together about 600 participants, including ASEZ WAO activists and members from Daegu and…

Korea

Dec 9, 2025

Youth Transition Gathering: “Great Dreams Achieved in God”

On November 30, about 8,000 people gathered at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute for the Youth Transition Gathering. Attendees included third-year high school seniors preparing for college entrance or employment, along with their parents, student and young adult department teachers, and pastoral staff. The gathering was held to encourage young people standing at a pivotal turning point in their lives, helping them gain confidence and direction as they prepare to take their next steps with both anticipation and concern. Prior to the main program, a variety of snack booths were set up in front of the institute’s main building to warmly welcome and cheer on the young people. Members from the Daejeon area prepared a wide selection of foods with…

Korea

Nov 30, 2025

Church of God Wins the 2026 Chosun Future Architecture Award

The World Mission Society Church of God in Homaesil, Suwon, Korea, has been honored with the Grand Prize in the Religious Facilities Category at the 2026 Chosun Future Architecture Awards. The award ceremony was held on November 27 at the Koreana Hotel in Seoul, where General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol received the award on behalf of the church. Hosted by The Chosun Ilbo and sponsored by the Construction Association of Korea, the Korea Housing Association, and the Korea Housing Builders Association, the Chosun Future Architecture Awards were established in 2018 to recognize buildings and institutions that lead eco-friendly, innovative, and future-oriented architectural culture. Candidates are selected through preliminary research by a panel of experts from academia and industry, followed by a…

Korea

Nov 27, 2025

Bible Preaching Contest 2025

On November 23 and 27, the “Bible Preaching Contest 2025” was held at the designated local churches of the Church of God across Korea. Organized by the Education Division of the Head Office, the event was designed to strengthen members' faith through the word of God and to rekindle their passion for the gospel as the new year approaches. The main rounds for the adult male and young adult groups were held on November 23, followed by the adult female group on November 27. Local pastoral staff served as judges for the contest. Representatives selected through preliminary rounds at each local church delivered their presentations in turn. Through the history and prophecies of the Bible, the presenters testified from diverse…

Korea

Nov 27, 2025

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…

Korea

Nov 17, 2025

New Jerusalem Day Celebration 2025

On November 13 and 16, the 2025 New Jerusalem Day Celebration, honoring the love and grace of Heavenly Mother, was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. Ahead of New Jerusalem Day (November 20), the two-day pre-celebration event brought together about 21,000 attendees, including domestic pastoral staff, position and title holders, and the 83rd Overseas Members Visiting Group members. The event, consisting of a commemorative worship service and cultural performances by members from around the world, became a vivid scene of the fulfillment of the prophecy, “Nations will come like clouds, and like doves to their nests” (Isa 60:3–8), while also inspiring renewed passion for the completion of preaching to 8 billion people worldwide. Heavenly Mother prayed that Her children…

Korea

Nov 16, 2025

Sejong Jiphyeon Church Dedication Service

On November 15, the dedication service of the Church of God in Jiphyeon, Sejong, was held in Sejong Special Self-Governing City. Since its launch in 2012 as an administrative-centered complex city, Sejong has experienced rapid development with the gradual relocation of major government ministries, including the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Personnel Management, as well as the expansion of industrial complexes. Along with this growth, the city’s population has increased more than threefold to approximately 390,000, and the gospel has likewise continued to spread in step with the city’s development. Sejong Jiphyeon Church is the third church established in the region, following Sejong Church and Sejong…

Korea

Nov 15, 2025

ASEZ Talk Concert With the Villar Foundation of the Philippines

On November 10, the “ASEZ Talk Concert With the Villar Foundation Philippines” was held at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple, where about 560 members of ASEZ—the World Mission Society Church of God University Student Volunteer Group—from across Korea gathered. The Villar Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Las Piñas, the Philippines, dedicated to environmental protection and improving medical and well-being services for vulnerable groups. On this day, Cynthia A. Villar—former Senator of the Philippines and Executive Director of the Villar Foundation—visited the Pangyo Temple to share the knowledge and experience she has gained through diverse well-being initiatives and legislative work with the university students. Heavenly Mother warmly welcomed Director Villar, who took part in the talk concert as a…

Korea

Nov 10, 2025

Happy Concert With Neighbors Held in Gwangju, Yeongcheon, and Changwon

As autumn deepened with falling leaves and widening temperature swings, a concert brought warmth to the hearts of local residents. On October 26, the “Happy Concert With Neighbors” was held at the Church of God in Gwangju Seogu, Yeongcheon, and Changwon Uichang. Alongside the concert, the Changwon Uichang Church hosted a seminar titled “The Most Precious Gift: Family,” reflecting on the meaning of family, while the Yeongcheon Church added significance by commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Church of God in Yeongcheon. About 1,900 people—including members, their families, acquaintances, local citizens, and figures from politics, business, and education—attended and enjoyed meaningful time with their loved ones. The concert was performed by chamber orchestras composed of members from each region. Baek…

Korea

Oct 26, 2025

Sacred Assemblies 2025: Festival of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Festival of Tabernacles

Among the seven festivals in three times established by God, the third set—the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Tabernacles—was observed consecutively from September 22 to October 13. As God’s people welcomed these sacred festivals that promise the grace of atonement and the blessings of the Holy Spirit, the Church of God members around the world devoted themselves to earnest prayer, repenting sincerely and striving to bear gospel fruit in keeping with repentance. Festival of Trumpets: Understanding the Will of God Who Desires Humanity’s Salvation During the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness, Moses ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. When nearly forty days passed and he did not return, the people assumed he…

Oct 13, 2025

Administrative Staff and Age-Group Teacher Education 2025

The Administrative Staff and Age-Group Teacher Education 2025 was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute, bringing together more than 7,500 participants from across the nation. Those who are responsible for supplies, equipment, accounting, and general affairs, as well as age-group teachers and pastoral staff members, gathered to strengthen their sense of mission and enhance their capabilities. The first part of the education, the worship service, began around noon with Mother’s prayer. Mother earnestly prayed that all participants would receive wisdom and understanding and faithfully fulfill the profound mission entrusted by God. Acknowledging the challenges and concerns faced in each department, She encouraged them, saying, “You are assisting the pastoral staff in advancing the completion of the gospel. Let us…

Korea

Sep 17, 2025

IWBA Entrance Ceremony 2025

Young working adults live each day diligently as key contributors to society and the economy. To help them spend this golden period of their lives in a more meaningful and fulfilling way based on the teachings of the Bible, the Church of God established the International Worker Bible Academy (IWBA) in 2015. Today, IWBA has grown into a comprehensive program encompassing high-quality Bible education, overseas missions, volunteer service, and more. The program has been receiving strong support from young adults in the Church of God communities around the world. On September 14, the entrance ceremony for the IWBA academic year 2025 was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. The event looked back on the ten-year journey that young adults…

Korea

Sep 14, 2025

Dedication Services for the Churches in Yesan, Pyeongtaek Godeok, Incheon Dong-gu, and Incheon Songdo, Korea

Ahead of the autumn festivals, the season of abundant gospel harvest, dedication worship services were held at four Churches of God located in Yesan (South Chungcheong Province), Pyeongtaek Godeok (Gyeonggi Province), and Incheon Dong-gu and Songdo (Incheon Metropolitan City). The Yesan Church and Pyeongtaek Godeok Church held their dedication services on September 6, alongside the Sabbath worship, followed by the Incheon Dong-gu Church and Incheon Songdo Church on September 9. About 30 overseas members from North America also attended, sharing in the celebration and joy. Heavenly Mother acknowledged the sincere efforts of the members who, despite the sweltering summer heat, devoted themselves to the mission of saving souls. She offered a prayer of blessing that every family would be filled…

Korea

Sep 9, 2025

Pastoral Staff’s Family Day 2025

On September 7, the Pastoral Staff’s Family Day 2025 was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute. The event served as a heartfelt occasion to express comfort and respect to the pastoral staff and their spouses who faithfully serve on the frontlines of the gospel, and to the parents who have devoted many years to nurturing them into true prophets of God. About 3,200 participants—including pastoral staff, their wives, and their parents from across the country—gathered to share in the day’s blessings. The training institute was filled with warmth and laughter as families walked hand in hand, enjoying conversations and joyful fellowship. In the main building’s hallway, traditional Korean games such as tuho (arrow throwing), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), and yutnori…

Korea

Sep 7, 2025

2025 Summer Student Camp & Elementary Summer Vacation Camp

In today’s fast-paced routines filled with school, extracurricular lessons, and home responsibilities, it is often difficult for students to engage with the world or communicate meaningfully with others. Even during short breaks, many become absorbed in their own world through smartphones. To help students develop in a balanced and healthy way through meaningful interaction, the Church of God organizes vacation camps each year. These camps combine Bible-based education with a variety of experiential and character-building programs. In Korea, the Summer Student Camp for middle and high school students and the Elementary Summer Vacation Camp were held over one to two weeks between late July and late August. Similar camps were also conducted overseas according to each country’s vacation schedule, including…

Aug 31, 2025