Dedication Services for the Churches in Jinju and Daegu, Korea

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Mission Society Church of God held the new temple dedication ceremony in Gyeongsang Province for the first time in the New Year of 2023. It was held for the church in Jinju, Gyeongnam, on January 27, and for the church in Dalseong, Daegu, on the 29th. For two days, the worship services were attended by about 2,000 members, including the members from neighboring Western Gyeongnam Church Region and Southern Daegu Church Region.

Mother took great delight in meeting the members She had missed, and looked around every place of the new temples and complimented the members who were devoted to the gospel. At the dedication service, Mother comforted the members who kept their faith and worked hard for the gospel despite difficult situations, and prayed for them to glorify God and fill Zion with good fruits. Mother reminded them of the hope for heaven where there is no more pain or sorrow, and encouraged them to share hope for heaven and happiness with people by preaching the joyful news of salvation.

Through a sermon, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol testified that Second Coming Christ, who is the King and Counselor of Zion, appeared in accordance with the prophecies of the Bible, preached the gospel for 37 years, and passed away. He said this was to find all the heavenly family members by revealing Jerusalem Mother of life to the whole world and illuminate the dark world (Mic 4:1–2, 9–12; Ge 2:21–23; Isa 60:1–22). After Father’s ascension, the gospel was delivered to 175 countries, and Zion was established in various places of the global village. General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized the mission of saving the world by shining the glory of Jerusalem, and said, “Let’s accomplish the mission of preaching the gospel of the kingdom to the world by brightening up the whole world with God’s word and love” (Mt 24:13–14; Isa 62:6–7).

Greeting the New Year with joy and God’s blessing through the long-awaited dedication service, the members expressed their hope to display God’s glory and preach the truth of life through good deeds. They joyfully said, “Since a dazzling temple has been built and we come and go, brightly greeting one another, the residents say, ‘The whole village has become brightened,’ or ‘This church is worth attending.’ ” The members were determined to to deliver Mother’s love and hope for heaven to all their neighbors so that no one would be left behind.

Even during the pandemic, the number of Church of God members steadily increased, and new temples were established all over the world. As the COVID-19 prevention regulations were eased, church dedication worship services were held at 23 churches in Korea last year, and it was also held in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 29; in Huancayo, Peru on December 13; in Mexico City, Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico on the 4th, the 7th, and the 8th of February this year respectively. At present, more than 30 churches are waiting for a dedication service in Korea and the members and local residents will continue to share the joy of dedication.