World Mission Society Church of God: Difference between revisions

{{단체정보  

|명칭 = World Mission Society Church of God

|설명 =  

|영어명칭 =  

|website = [https://watv.org/ Church of God Official Website]

|YouTube Channel= [https://www.youtube.com/c/WMSCOG/ Church of God Official YouTube]

}}

The '''World Mission Society Church of God''' (hereinafter referred to as the “'''Church of God'''”) was established in 1964 by [[Ahnsahnghong|Christ Ahnsahnghong]]. The church believes in [[God the Father]] and [[God the Mother]] according to the Bible and follows Their teachings. The church follows the original teachings of the early Church of God that [[Jesus Christ]] and the apostles such as Peter, John, and Paul attended 2,000 years ago. It has flourished into a worldwide church with about 7,500 churches in 175 countries in only 50 years of its establishment. The number of registered members was 3.3 million as of January, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/3114766/1 |title=3.3 Million Church of God Members Talks About the Path of Hope in Our Global Village |website= |publisher=Shindonga  |date= January 3, 2022 |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>The Church of God carries out missionary work and volunteer activities with the goal of preaching the truth of salvation and happiness to all people around the world with the love of God the Father and God the Mother. This is accomplished by restoring the faith of the early Church and the truth of the [[new covenant]] established by Jesus. As God’s children, church members do their utmost to make positive contributions to their families, neighbors, communities, and nations while striving to cultivate their character to participate in the divine nature of Christ. In recognition of their efforts and contributions, the Church of God has received nearly 3,300 awards from various governments and organizations, including the Presidential Group Citation from Korea<ref name="대통령상">{{Cite web |url=https://watvaward.org/world/index.asp |title=Korean Presidential Citation |website=WATV AWARD |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> , the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the U.K.<ref name="영국여왕상">{{Cite web |url=https://ukzion.watv.org/queens-award/ |title=The U.K. Queen's Award for Voluntary Service |website=World Mission Society Church of God in UK |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> , and the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the U.S.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url=https://watvaward.org/index.asp#awardUSAAnchor/ |title=U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award |website=WATV AWARD |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

==Institutions and Facilities==

===Main Headquarters===

The [[Church of God Headquarters|Headquarters]] is the Church of God’s representative organization that leads the world mission by supporting all the churches and members around the world to live true lives of faith and practice God’s will correctly in the fields such as [[worship]], preaching, education, administration, and computing. As Christ Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A19-20&version=NIV |title=Matthew 28:19–20 |quote= }}</ref> the Church of God takes the lead in preaching the [[gospel]] of the new covenant to 7.8 billion people in the world.  

===Theological Seminary===

The Church of God operates its own [[Church of God Theological Seminary|Theological Seminary]], which was created for the development and training of the pastoral staff. It is located at [[Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute]] in Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. It is used to educate and train the future pastoral staff who will lead the Church of God, based on the biblical ideology of truth, godliness, and putting God's teachings into practice. The educational topics that are studied range from pastoral theology, pastoral ethics, sermon development, biblical history, introduction to the composition of the Bible, comparative religious studies, and proper church administration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmcts.org/subject/subject01.asp |title=Education Course |website=The Church of God Theological Institute Website}}</ref> After completing four years of this educational program, which includes practical training such as preaching and volunteer services, the pastoral staff fly to major cities and even to remote regions throughout the world to carry out ministry in obedience to God’s will.

*1964 The Church of God was established.

*1985 Christ Ahnsahnghong ascended.

;Growing Phase 1986–2000

* 1988 Registered Members: 10,000

*2000 Establishment of New Jerusalem Temple (at present [[New Jerusalem Imae Temple]])

*2000 The Messiah Orchestra was founded.

;Leaping Phase 2001–2013

* 2001 Seven overseas churches were established.

*2001 The 1st Overseas Visiting Group from the U.S.

* 2002 The Elohim Training Institute was opened.

*2003 Registered members: 500,000

*2013 International Bible Seminar was held.  

*2013 “Our Mother” Writing and Photo Exhibition was held.

;Flourishing Phase 2014–Present

* 2014 Year of Jubilee: 50th anniversary of the Church of God

===God the Father===

The Church of God firmly believes in the [[Trinity]], and regards knowing the [[name of God]] as a matter directly related to one's salvation. The Trinity means that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are the same in essence even though [[God the Father]] plays three different roles in each age. The Church of God believes that God [[God the Father (Jehovah)|the Father Jehovah]] from the times of the Old Testament, came as [[God the Son (Jesus)|God the Son]] Jesus in the New Testament times. Furthermore, it believes that Jesus Christ who has come a second time in this age according to the prophecies of the Bible, that is, [[the Holy Spirit]] is [[Ahnsahnghong|Christ Ahnsahnghong]].

===Feasts and Worship===

The Church of God keeps the feasts of the new covenant according to the teachings of Jesus and the Bible.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/monthly/view/318952 |title=[Special Feature ● Luther's 500 Years of Religious Reformation—Church of God and Truth in the Bible] 2.7 Million World Mission Society Church of God Saints' 'Grand Chorus' |publisher=Monthly JoongAng |date=November 17, 2017|quote=}}</ref> The most important celebrations observed by the Church include the weekly [[Sabbath]] and seven annual feasts in three times, including the Passover. Each of these feasts is based on the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. They all contain the blessings of God, which are closely related to the salvation of mankind, such as the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the gift of the Holy Spirit, the hope of the resurrection, and holiness. The Church of God keeps the feasts according to the laws of the new covenant just as they are recorded in the Bible. The members give thanks to God for His grace and love through godly worship, and by giving glory to God with prayer and praise.

====Seven Feasts in Three Times====

*[[Passover]]: Evening of the 14th day of the first month by the sacred calendar/ A feast meaning “Disasters pass over”/ Christ’s Holy Supper day

*[[Feast of Unleavened Bread]]: The 15th day of the first month by the sacred calendar/ A feast to get rid of yeast within your household/ Fulfilled on the day when Christ was crucified. (Participate in Christ’s sufferings by fasting.)

== Community Service==

Following the teaching of the Bible to “love your neighbors,” and the teaching of God the Mother, which teaches us that it is more blessed to give love, the members of the Church of God transcend borders, ethnicities, and religions to practice the love that they’ve learned from Christ by carrying out volunteer services around the world. Volunteer services are carried out in diverse fields such as the environment, social well-being, culture, physical education, and medical care. This is accomplished by the active participation of all age groups: housewives, field-related experts, university students, and middle and high school students as well. In particular, young adults are greatly encouraged to engage in such activities by becoming members of the  Church of God University Student Volunteer Group [ASEZ] and as members of the [[ASEZ WAO (World Mission Society Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group)|Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group [ASEZ WAO]]].

===Supporting COVID-19 Relief Efforts===

* Providing personal protective equipment and other COVID-19 prevention supplies to the government, public offices, medical staff, police officers, firefighters, etc.

*Providing personal protective equipment and other prevention supplies, food, and daily necessities to those who are vulnerable.

===Emergency Relief===

* Recovery efforts for natural disasters and accidents

*Medical support for victims, donation of funds and relief goods, benefit concerts

===Health Care===

* Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover

*Free medical treatment for the vulnerable, support with vaccinations and medical expenses including medications  

===Environmental Preservation===

* Forest cleanup

*Conservation of oceans and waterways

===General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol’s Speech at the UN===

Church of God General Pastor Joo-Cheol Kim, Makes Speech in UN Conference |publisher=Munhwa Ilbo |date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> The reason the UN invited the Church of God was due to the fact that the church’s outstanding altruistic efforts to take the lead in relief efforts whenever there were disasters or hardships around the world were truly exemplary. Such can be seen through their relief efforts with the massive earthquake that occurred in Nepal and the various hurricanes across the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/news/content.asp?idx=49148&page=7&back=all |title=General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol's Speech at the UN Conference |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>

Back in 2010, the Church of God visited the United Nations to help Haiti recover from the impact of the massive earthquake that shocked the country by donating $100,000 USD to CERF. During General Pastor’s visit, the UN suggested to form a partnership with the Church of God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/news/content.asp?idx=1320&page=21&back=all |title=General Pastor Visits the UN Headquarters and Delivers a Donation to Aid Haiti |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

===Signing of Agreements, Conferences, and Supporting Signatures===

Central governments, local governments, and universities in many countries agree with the Church of God’s vision and practices for the development and harmony of the global village, and its active participation in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], which include environmental protection, educational support, and well-being promotion. The Ministry of Education of Nepal, the City of Bangalore and the City of Raipur in India, the City of Santo Andre in Brazil, the City of Tshwane in Rep. of South Africa, and the National Blood Institute of Mongolia have all signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] with the Church of God, ASEZ, and ASEZ WAO.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/partnership/ |title=Partnership |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> ASEZ is carrying out environmental protection activities in cooperation with national government ministries and local government departments in 168 countries, 226 international organizations and civic groups, and 56,168 prominent community figures.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news4trafford.co.uk/2021/11/17/church-group-that-cleans-up-old-trafford-wins-international-environmental-award/ |title=Church group that cleans up Old Trafford wins International Environmental Award |website= |publisher=News4Trafford  |date=November 17, 2021|year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>UN Millennium Project President Jerome Glenn, a futurist, attended an ASEZ Conference whereby he encouraged young adults to work for and promote a sustainable future.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3xaIHiOjJg |title=ASEZ Conference With Jerome C. Glenn, World Mission Society Church of God |website= |publisher=ASEZ Church of God University Student Volunteers YouTube Video  |date=October 17, 2019 |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> Duberli Rodriguez Tineo, who served as the Supreme Judge of the Judicial Power in Peru, also participated in the conference on combating climate change and showed his support along with a lecture. More than 57,000 people from all walks of life, including Ban Ki-moon, the former UN Secretary-General, and Robert Huber, the Nobel laureate in Chemistry, have signed up to support and cheer on the activities of the young adults in the Church of God.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://weekly.donga.com/3/all/11/1948497/1 |title=A Step to World’s Happiness for Family, Neighbors, and Whole Mankind |website= |publisher=Weekly DongA  |date=January 16, 2020|year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

==Awards==

Around 3,300 times, countries around the world have awarded the Church of God medals of recognition, citations for excellence, and achievement awards for its continuous efforts through their volunteerism. The details of these awards can be found in the page below.

*[https://watvaward.org/index.asp World Mission Society Church of God Awards]