Global News

Ascension Day Commemorative Service and the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost 2023

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Ac 1:8 Two thousand years ago, Jesus left these words and ascended to heaven in front of His disciples. Ten days later, on the Day of Pentecost, He poured out the Holy Spirit upon His disciples and the saints of the early Church, who were together constantly in prayer, giving them the gifts to fulfill His command. The members of the Church of God all around the world, who had been striving to spread the gospel in the hope of saving 8 billion people, prayed with one…

May 28, 2023

ASEZ WAO’s Conference with the Minister of Environment of Peru

ASEZ WAO, the World Mission Society Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, met with Albina Ruiz Rios, the Minister of the Environment of Peru. Minister Ruiz is an environmentalist and social entrepreneur from Peruvian Amazon. She has received numerous environmental awards from various agencies and organizations. She became acquainted with the Church of God by participating in an environmental cleanup, which was organized by the Ministry of Environment and Korean ASEZ WAO members who visited Peru in the end of April. Being deeply moved by the steady and positive activities of ASEZ WAO, she also participated in the ASEZ WAO Environmental Forum, which was held at the Church of God in Faucett, Peru, on May 7. During the…

Korea

May 17, 2023

Churches in Suwon Support the Event for Senior Citizens in Geumgok-dong, Ipbuk-dong, Dangsu-dong

On Parents’ Day, the Church of God members in Suwon City, Korea, participated in the events for the elderly in their communities. On May 8 and 10, 110 members from the churches in Homaesil-gu, Seryu-gu, and Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, Korea, supported the events in Geumgok-dong, Ipbuk-dong, and Dangsu-dong. These events were held at Chilbo Gymnasium in Seosuwon, Gwonseon-gu, respectively, being hosted by the Geumgok-dong Heads’ Association and the Ipbuk-dong Heads’ Association. This volunteer service was made at the request of the local governments. The members volunteered throughout the events in cooperation with the Administrative Welfare Center. They boarded buses to the event sites together with senior citizens to help them move safely, and at the event sites, they helped with seating…

Korea

May 10, 2023

World Mission Society Church of God Student Volunteer Group Awarded Certificate of Appreciation and Citation

The Student Volunteer Group belonging to the International Student Bible Academy [ISBA] of the World Mission Society Church of God received awards from the Office of Education and National Assembly members in Korea, and local governments in Korea and other countries, as a result of its volunteering for local communities beyond school and striving to protect the environment. The Student Volunteer Group in South Gyeongsang Church Region received the certificate of appreciation from the Superintendent of South Gyeongsang Province Education Office right before the new semester. They received recognition for contributing to raising environmental awareness by carrying out street cleanups at least once a month in and outside schools and in parks, and by holding many environmental campaigns on campus.…

Korea, U.S.

May 7, 2023

ASEZ STAR ‘Filial Piety and Gratitude’ Campaign for Family Month 2023

The members of ASEZ STAR, the Church of God Student Volunteer Group, reflected on the grace of their parents and their teachers, and expressed gratitude together with their friends through the Filial Piety and Gratitude Campaign for the month of May. Under the slogan, “Love You, Thank You, and Be With You,” and “Thank You, Teacher,” the students wrote letters to their parents and their teachers, expressing their sincere hearts. The students introduced the campaign to their friends and encouraged them to join in it. Lim Ki-hyeon (from Suwon) said, “I shared the paper for letter with my friend. She thanked me, saying that she didn’t even think about writing a letter.” Nam Bo-hyeon (from Daejeon) said, “Contrary to my…

Korea

May 1, 2023

San Diego Church in CA, U.S. Carried Out Riverbed Cleanup at the Forester Creek

On April 30, members of the Church of God in San Diego, California, U.S., held an environmental cleanup at the Forester Creek in Santee. More than 220 people, including church members and local residents, volunteered to clean up and protect the living ground created by God. At 10 a.m., the cleanup began with volunteers’ powerful chant. Participants collected about 2.3 metric tons of trash, including plastic wastes, mattresses, strollers, and shopping carts, for about two hours. Alina Shaina Sharifa Howell, who participated in the cleanup with her child, said, “It is so much fun and satisfying to do a volunteer activity with my daughter. My daughter feels proud that she can help the community even with a small action like…

U.S.

Apr 30, 2023

2nd and 3rd Happy Seminars with Neighbors

The 2nd Happy Seminar with Neighbors was held on April 30 at the Nakseom Church in Incheon, and the 3rd one at the Suyeong Church in Busan on April 30, which highlighted the meaning and value of family that are fading in modern society and delivered a message of love to local residents. The first seminar was held at the Gwonseonho Maesil Church in Suwon, Korea, in July of last year. This year, the seminar was held right before May, the Family Month, in Korea. A total of 2,300 people, including not only the church members and local residents but also people from various fields such as former and present members of Congress and professors, attended the seminar. The side…

Korea

Apr 30, 2023

Dedication Services for the Churches in Eungwang and Jongno in Seoul, and the Church in Gwanjeo, Daejeon, Korea

Before the Day of Pentecost, when the gift of the Holy Spirit was promised, dedication services for new temples, which would be a haven for many souls, were held in Seoul and Daejeon, Korea. On April 29, the Eungwang Church and the Jongno Church in Seoul, located in the west and east of the lower part of Bukhansan Mountain, had a dedication service each. The Gwanjeo Church in Daejeon, which is located in the middle of Republic of Korea, also joyfully kept a dedication service. Mother prayed that the members would receive the blessings, strength, and courage of the Holy Spirit through the dedication services, and said, “Each church reflects your efforts and hard work.” She thanked the members again…

Korea

Apr 29, 2023

Bitgaram Church in Naju Volunteered at the ‘3rd Yeongsangang Cup National Hangung Competition for the Visually Impaired’

About 30 members from the Bitgaram Church in Naju, Korea, volunteered for the “3rd Yeongsangang Cup National Hangung Competition for the Visually Impaired” held at the Multi-purpose Gymnasium in Naju Sports Park on April 27. This is the second time for the members to volunteer for this event, following the first one in 2019, to encourage the visually impaired to participate in sports. Hangung is a sport that combines the strenghts of Tuho, Korean archery, western archery, and darts. About 450 players participated in this event. The members encouraged the players from the beginning until the end of the game, so that they could play the game without any inconvenience. Before the game, they cleaned the stadium, arranged chairs, guided…

Korea

Apr 27, 2023

The Sacred Assemblies of the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Resurrection Day 2023

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.” Lk 22:14–15 In Accordance with the earnest command of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, the Sacred Assembly of the Passover was held at the Church of God in 175 countries on the evening of April 4 (the 14th day of the first month by the sacred calendar). On the next day on April 5 (the 15th day of the first month by the sacred calendar), the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Day of Resurrection on April 9 (the day after the first Sabbath following the Feast of Unleavened Bread)…

Apr 9, 2023

The 22nd Seminar for Workers

On a spring day full of cherry blossoms, which bloomed earlier than usual, the Church of God held an event to cheer on young adult workers who are the power of society. This is the “22nd Seminar for Workers” held at the New Jerusalem Temple in Pangyo, Korea, on April 2, in presence of more than 1,900 people, including worker members and their friends in the metropolitan area. This seminar was broadcast live on YouTube, which was watched by about 2,500 people all over the country. The invitees arrived at the event early enough to walk around the church with their co-workers or friends, enjoying the spring in full, which made them refreshed from their busy lives. The seminar was…

Korea

Apr 2, 2023

The 4th Student Webinar

On March 26, when spring finally came, the 4th student webinar was held at the Church of God in Moran, Seongnam, Korea. This event was designed to convey the sincerity of the student members in order to share God’s blessings with their precious friends and family. More than 5,100 people participated in the event through YouTube Webinar live throughout the country. About 700 people attended it at the site, including students and their friends and parents, and the student group guidance teachers living in the metropolitan area. Before the event began, the audience lined up at the side event hall on the third floor of the church. Various activities were prepared: the panel exhibition that introduces the Church of God…

Korea

Mar 26, 2023

The Church of God in the Southwestern Region of the United States Holds the ‘Passover Orchestra Concert’

To share the blessings of the Passover and the love of Christ, the Church of God in the Southwestern Region of the United States held the “Passover Orchestra Concert” on March 19. Church members belonging to the Southwestern Region, such as San Diego and Escondido in California, united to prepare the event. The event was held at the Riverside Church, and about 400 people, including the church members and their neighbors, attended the event. After the conductor’s greeting, the event began with the joint performance of the orchestra and the choir consisting of the Southwestern Region [SWR] members. The orchestra consisting of 40 members and the choir consisting of 52 members delivered the meaning of the New Covenant Passover and…

U.S.

Mar 19, 2023

General Assembly 2023

In celebration of the New Year by the sacred calendar, General Assembly was held at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple in the Rep. of Korea (Hereinafter Korea). The General Assembly, which was held three years after the COVID-19 pandemic, lasted for 11 days with joy and excitement. It was attended by representative pastoral staff members from 53 countries, including over 400 pastoral staff members in Korea. Starting with the General Assembly Awards Ceremony 2023 held on March 12 and the opening worship on the following day, the Preliminary General Assembly was held for 11 days. All schedules ended with the main worship and the closing worship on the 22nd. Mother was with them throughout the General Assembly for eleven days,…

Korea

Mar 12, 2023

The Rotterdam Church in the Netherlands Donates Daily Necessities to 20 Neighbors in Need

On March 10, the Rotterdam Church in South Holland, the Netherlands, donated daily necessities to 20 households who were experiencing financial difficulties. The donated supplies, such as clothes, books, toys, and groceries, were prepared by the members of the Church of God, their friends and family, and the local residents who heard the news of the volunteer service through the website of NL DOET (the volunteer campaign organized by Dutch royalty). Jeroen Ave, the Director of Regional Management in the Rotterdam Municipality, who attended the ceremony, said, “I like the purpose of this volunteer service in which the Church of God has teamed up with the local residents to help neighbors in need. This kind of activity is very helpful…

Netherlands

Mar 10, 2023

IUBA Academic Year Opening Worship 2023

On March 1, the IUBA Academic Year Opening Worship was held at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute, where the fever of the ISBA School Year Opening Worship, which was held three days ago, was still lingering. It is the first time to have an academic year opening worship on-site after the pandemic. University students had become accustomed to online lectures and gatherings, but now they were adapting themselves to the face-to-face activities. They joyfully gathered at the training institute for the long-awaited large-scale event. About 8,000 people attended the event, including both graduate and undergraduate students, their parents, the young adult guidance teachers, and the pastoral staff members. The opening worship began at noon. Mother deeply thanked Father for calling…

Korea

Mar 1, 2023

Student Camp for the First Half of 2023

The Church of God held the student camp in the first half of 2023 to cultivate good character and form a healthy peer culture among students who are the leaders of the future generation. It was held by each local church or by region in Korea, the United States, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, etc. from January to February. From 6th grade students who are about to enter junior high school to 12th grade students participated in various programs such as Bible seminars, education on character change, volunteer activities, and field trips, through which they could strengthen their friendship. Student Camp Helps Students Grow Mature The basic and core program of the student camp is the Bible education. The…

Feb 28, 2023

School Year Opening Worship 2023

“When I entered high school to study Arts, I was anxious about whether I could do it well in school. Hearing God’s word at this School Year Opening Worship, I was encouraged. Learning that our senior students were devoted to both their studies and their life of faith, I got confident to do the same.” Moon Chae-young, a Freshman at Gyeongnam High School of the Arts, Jinju, Korea “Today’s event was a guide to teach me how to wisely help my child with God’s love as a parent of a high school senior.” Park Jeong-ah, a Parent from Gimcheon, Korea The School Year Opening Worship, which was planned for the first time this year, was held at the Okcheon Go&Come…

Korea

Feb 26, 2023

ASEZ Delivers School Supplies to Battle Grove Elementary School in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

On February 8, ASEZ members in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., delivered 40 sets of essential school supplies such as books, binders, and pencils to Battle Grove Elementary School in order to help students whose families were going through financial difficulties. This was prepared through donations from not only ASEZ members but also their neighbors, family, and friends. The principal and teachers of the school attended the delivery ceremony and thanked ASEZ members. Marvely Torres, ASEZ member, said, “I prepared it with the mind to comfort the parents who struggle to support their children due to financial difficulties. I’m happy that my sincerity will cheer on the students even a little.”

U.S.

Feb 8, 2023

ASEZ Global Sharing and Volunteering for Winter 2023

As the borders that were tightly closed due to COVID-19 were opened one by one, the global activities of ASEZ, the World Mission Society Church of God University Student Volunteer Group, regained vitality. On vacation, ASEZ members in Korea flew to 28 countries, including the Philippines, Malaysia, India, the U.K., Belgium, Peru, Argentina, and Uganda, from January 11 and provided customized volunteer services for three weeks and extended partnership. Even during the pandemic, ASEZ members in Korea had actively worked online and offline through the Seminar on Human Rights Day and the Environment Day Campaign and so on. This winter, they directly communicated with overseas members and visited government agencies, organizations, and universities of each country to build a cooperative…

Jan 31, 2023