The Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Chairman Lee Man-hee), held the 116th Zion Christian Mission Center Graduation Ceremony at its Cheongju Church on November 2, celebrating nearly 60,000 graduates who have completed the church’s intensive Bible education program.
According to Shincheonji, a total of 59,192 students received certificates during the ceremony, marking what the church described as a “remarkable milestone” in biblical education.
The Zion Christian Mission Center, operated by Shincheonji, offers a comprehensive, tuition-free curriculum that systematically teaches the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
The program emphasizes understanding biblical prophecies and their fulfillment — the cornerstone of Shincheonji’s doctrine.
To graduate, participants must complete three progressive levels of study — introductory, intermediate, and advanced — and achieve a minimum score of 90 points on a final examination.
A Shincheonji representative explained, “Following the resumption of in-person classes after the pandemic, the number of graduates has reached 60,000, reflecting the growing desire among believers to understand the Bible more deeply, beyond denominational boundaries.”
A significant feature of this year’s class is the rise in pastors completing the program. Of the latest graduates, 2,248 are pastors, and the cumulative number of clergy graduates over the past four years has now surpassed 13,500.
The trend, observers note, underscores a growing interest in Shincheonji’s teachings among established Christian leaders.
One graduate, Oh Sun-kyung, a former pastor who previously founded three churches, shared his experience, saying, “At Zion Christian Mission Center, I finally came to understand the Book of Revelation, which neither seminaries nor churches could fully explain. Despite reading the Bible more than 30 times, I never found the answers until now. My life has been completely renewed through this Word.”
He added, “I regret not knowing this truth earlier in my ministry. I now believe pastors and believers alike must learn and teach the Bible across denominations, free from distortion.”
Tan Young-jin, Head Director of the Zion Christian Mission Center, emphasized that Shincheonji’s continued growth reflects what he described as “divine guidance.”
He said, “Despite misunderstanding and opposition, tens of thousands continue to graduate each year. Through this program, believers mature spiritually and rediscover the genuine faith centered on the Word.”
The graduation ceremony, held under the theme “Love, Blessings, and the Light that Shines upon the World,” featured a series of events including a national ceremony, congratulatory addresses, a commemorative message from Chairman Lee Man-hee, a benediction, the turning of tassels, the presentation of certificates and awards, a graduate’s testimony, and celebratory performances.
As enthusiasm for in-depth Bible study continues to grow, the Zion Christian Mission Center’s large-scale graduation has drawn attention from within and beyond Korea’s Christian community, highlighting a movement toward broader scriptural engagement and interdenominational learning.
