Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), led by Chairman Man-Hee Lee, marked its 40th anniversary on 14 March 2024 with a commemorative ceremony and service at the Cheongpyeong Shincheonji Peace Training Center.

Reflecting on the journey since its inception in 1984, the commemoration ceremony provided a platform to honour the growth of Shincheonji and offer gratitude to God. Visionary plans for the upcoming year were unveiled, emphasising the church’s commitment to societal service and its role as a beacon of light and a pillar of support.

The event was live streamed to 66 countries worldwide and approximately 30,000 attendees from across the world, including about 40 South African congregants, joined the ceremony in person.

The commemorative service featured highlights such as an overview of the 40th anniversary proceedings, a retrospective video, and a historical narrative of Shincheonji. In his sermon Chairman Lee reflected on the church’s humble beginnings, attributing its significant growth to divine providence.

Despite challenges, Shincheonji has sustained continuous growth since its inception, defying global economic fluctuations. Notably, the institution has witnessed a surge in graduates, with over 100,000 individuals completing its programs annually since 2019. Additionally, in the spirit of fostering dialogue and collaboration with religious communities worldwide, Shincheonji has forged partnerships with numerous churches, thus making strides in developing mutual understanding and recognition in the religious sphere.

Chairman Lee emphasised the importance of aligning with God’s will and extending love and compassion to others. Urging a deeper understanding of the Bible’s teachings, he called for collective efforts to enrich lives through faith and altruism.

Shincheonji has actively worked with a heart of servitude to provide hope both physically and spiritually in Southern Africa through its branch churches in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. With the core value of uniting as one, Shincheonji has additionally partnered with local authority officials to run successful collaborative projects in service of their communities such as blood donation drives, clean ups, food drives, and various other volunteer programs.