ⓒ 2015 WATV

The Churches of God were built in a little more than 30 places of Korea in the early 1990s, but now they are in around 2,500 places of 175 countries. As it is said, “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation,” the gospel work accelerates as time passes. Particularly in 2014, the year of jubilee—the fiftieth year of the establishment of the Church of God, the existing churches expanded and new church buildings were built continually under the blessing of God.

“The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.’ . . . they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.” (Isa 49:20–22)

The dedication services for the new temples were held in succession as 2015 began. Ten churches were dedicated to God for a month from the end of January till the end of February. There are still thirty more churches ready for dedication.

Deliver hope to the gloomy world

ⓒ 2015 WATV

Beginning with the Nonhyeon Church and the Yeonsu Church in Incheon on January 31, the Simgok Church (Feb. 7), the Mansu Church and the Namgu Church (Feb. 10) in Incheon had the dedication service consecutively. The members in Incheon were moved by the blessings God poured out from the beginning of the New Year. The Song - nae Church (Feb. 7) and the Sangdong Church (Feb. 14) in Bucheon, a neighboring city of Incheon, and the Jeongwang Church (Feb. 14) in Siheung also had the joy of dedicating their holy temples to God. The pastoral staff and members who visited Korea from overseas for a short period of time participated in the services as well, and witnessed the present status of the gospel work. After the New Year’s Day by the lunar calendar, the Yangsan Church in Gyeongnam Province and the Gyeongsan Church in Gyeongbuk Province had the dedication services on 22nd and 24th.

Mother praised and blessed the members who prayed earnestly and brought freewill offerings until the new temples were granted, and those who made every effort to construct the temples.

There are great and small industrial complexes in Incheon, Bucheon, Siheung, Yangsan, and Gyeongsan. However, be- cause of global economic crisis that has continued for several years, enterprises in these complexes are struggling and the workers are weighed down with worries. “It is a hard time, but let us cheer up with the joy of salvation, looking for the eternally glorious kingdom of heaven where there is no worries and pain,” said Mother, encouraging the members. Mother reminded the members that the most necessary thing for the people who are anxious, hopeless, and dejected is the hope for heaven. “Let’s give hope to our neighbors by preaching the words of life with compassion,” Mother repeatedly urged the members.

The members who attended the dedication ceremonies completely agreed with Mother’s words. “Many people are suffering from economic crisis and they need our encouragement. We’ll do our best to plant Mother’s love and the heavenward hope in their hearts,” said the members. They’ve already been practicing neighborly love to become the salt and light of their communities by constantly giving a helping hand to people, for example, throwing consolatory parties, helping underprivileged neighbors, and visiting welfare facilities. Moreover, they held the “Our Mother” Writing and Photo Exhibition so that their neighbors could be healed from the fatigue of living in a loveless world.

The role and attitude of the members who preach the truth

The Church of God observes the seven feasts in three times including the Passover of the new covenant, and keeps the Sabbath on the seventh day (Saturday). These are God’s laws that are recorded in the Bible, and that believers must observe. However, most Christians do not accept the new covenant. It’s because the new covenant established by Jesus was changed gradually from the 2nd century and people got used to men’s rules such as Sunday service and Christmas which did not originate from the Bible. The same is true of the cross; the cross was the execution tool and its image was used in pagan religions, but nowadays it is considered as the symbol of the church.

At the dedication services, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol explained the history about how the law of life established by God has been altered into the law of death, and testified that Christ came a second time and restored the new covenant for mankind who did not know the way to salvation. He elucidated the core truth leading to salvation, saying, “Eternal life is given to the saints who keep the new covenant, through God the Mother who appears as the Bride of the Spirit in the age of the Holy Spirit,” and emphasized the faith in God the Mother.

Pastor Kim Joo-cheol also emphasized the right attitude the members should acquire as the parts of the body of Christ. Quoting, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19–20), he mentioned the greatest mission given to Christians. He asked the members to be faithful to their given roles with a humble attitude in this age when people come to the Church of God from all over the world, seeking for the truth. He preached that we can serve the sheep entrusted to us, fulfill the mission given to the ones who are called earlier, and overcome trials, when our attitude is based on humility. “When we lower ourselves and preach in season and out of season, we’ll see the fulfillment of the prophecy that the least of us will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. Although we’re in a tough situation physically and spiritually, we ought to overcome hardships with hope for heaven. Preaching the gospel with the heart of Mother who is looking for Her lost children, let us fill this beautiful temple with our heavenly family members,” he said with emphasis.

All the members looked excited and happy after the dedication services. They expressed their resolution, “The reason God has given us this spacious temple is that there are many souls we ought to find. We will diligently lead people who are weary to the resting place of their souls.”

Just as the apostles spread the gospel of the new covenant which began with Jesus in Mark’s upper room to Rome, the new covenant that has been restored in this age is spreading to the whole world. The new covenant is not limited to certain countries. Even in the countries where Christian population is small such as Nepal, India, and Mongolia, many people continue to come to the Church of God. The members say in unison that it is possible because they do according to the Bible and only preach the words of the Bible. Doctor Petr Vondrouś (Czech Technical University in Prague), who visited Korea with his family during his vacation, was also surprised to see the growth in the gospel work and said its key is in the Bible.

“In the Czech Republic, there are many churches with a long history. There’s even a church established in the 11th century. How- ever, religious conflicts are deeply rooted in European society and people have no interest in solving questions through the Bible; they regard them as personal matters. On the contrary, the brothers and sisters from the Church of God know the Bible. They are proud that they follow the Bible. Since they preach the truth confidently, it brings about people’s interest and agreement,” he said.

Now, the spiritual barns have been enlarged, and the members are working hard for the gospel, uniting each other with humility under the teachings of Mother. We look forward to the gospel fruit of 2015 all the more.

ⓒ 2015 WATV