The Zion Christian Mission Center, operated by Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, held its 116th graduation ceremony on November 2 at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church in South Korea. The event marked the graduation of 59,192 students this year, including 2,248 pastors, despite what the organization described as intense persecution and slander.
The mission center's curriculum focuses on systematic Bible study, emphasizing prophecy and fulfillment, the will of God, and the flow of scripture from Genesis to Revelation. To graduate, students must complete three levels of a free, year-long course — introductory, intermediate, and advanced — and achieve a score of 90 points or higher on comprehensive exams. The growing number of graduating pastors, which has surpassed 13,500 in the past four years, underscores the program's appeal among clergy seeking deeper biblical understanding.
During the ceremony, Shincheonji Church Chairman Lee Man-hee urged believers to adhere strictly to scripture. "There are far too many people who claim to believe in Jesus but do not follow the Bible completely," Chairman Lee said. "Do not rely on church authority — check for yourself through Scripture whether your faith is truly grounded in the Word."
A notable speech was delivered by Oh Sun-kyung, a former pastor who shared her journey of struggle and discovery. "I planted three churches and proudly considered myself a true believer who devoted her life to the Lord's kingdom and glory," she said. "Yet deep down, I carried a heavy burden — I could not understand Revelation. Even after reading the Bible over 30 times, I found no answers, and in shame before my congregation, I eventually gave up my ministry." She urged other pastors to attend the mission center to master Revelation, stating, "Now that the secrets of Revelation have been revealed, the role of a pastor — a shepherd of God's flock — is to lead the believers to heaven. Let us first master this promised Word without adding or subtracting from it."
The graduation ceremony, themed "Love and Blessing, Light to the World," drew around 20,000 attendees to the Cheongju Church, with additional graduates participating online from Shincheonji churches across South Korea and globally. This year's graduation follows four consecutive years in which the total number of graduates exceeded 100,000, including 108,084 in 2023 and 111,628 in 2024.
The continued growth of the Zion Christian Mission Center, despite external pressures, reflects its impact on religious education and the ongoing demand for its approach to biblical instruction. The center's emphasis on understanding Revelation and prophecy appears to resonate with many seeking clarity in their faith.
