Zion Christian Mission Center holds the 116th graduation ceremony on Nov. 2 ‘60,000 believers who have mastered the Bible’ has stirred the Christian community “Growing enthusiasm to learn biblical teachings across denominational boundaries”

Shincheonji, Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Chairman Lee Man-hee), has produced 60,000 believers who have mastered the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

Shincheonji Church announced that a total of 59,192 people would graduate at the “116th Class Graduation Ceremony of Zion Christian Mission Center” held at Shincheonji Cheongju Church on November 2.

Zion Christian Mission Center is a free Bible education institution that systematically teaches the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The center focuses on the prophecies and fulfillment — the core of the Christian Scriptures — and teaches the overall flow of God’s purpose and the Bible. To graduate, students must complete all three levels of courses — introductory, intermediate, and advanced — and score 90 points or higher on a final exam.

Shincheonji Church said, “Although this class went through a strict process, after fully resuming face-to-face classes following the pandemic, the number of graduates has reached 60,000. This shows that the thirst of believers for the truth is spreading across denominations.”

Particularly noteworthy is the increase in pastor graduates. Among the 116th class, there are 2,248 pastors, and the cumulative number of pastors who have graduated over the past four years has exceeded 13,500.

Reflecting this trend, the remarks of a graduate was also given by a former pastor. Mr. Oh Sun-kyung, who had previously founded three churches, said, “At Zion Christian Mission Center, I clearly came to understand the Book of Revelation, which neither seminaries nor churches could teach. Even after reading the Bible more than 30 times, I could not find the answers, but my life has been completely renewed through this Word.”

He added, “I deeply regret not having known this Word when I was a pastor. I will pray for those who still do not understand Revelation and deliver the word I have received. Now we must learn and teach the truth across denominations and without distortion.

Tan Young-jin, Head Director of Zion Christian Mission Center, said, “Shincheonji, which has held four 100,000 Graduation ceremonies, has produced tens of thousands of graduates despite severe persecution and slander. Such revival is possible because God is with us.”

He continued, “Through this educational process, the graduates have grown into spiritually mature believers who have come to understand the true reality of the Bible that even pastors could not learn. The restoration of genuine faith centered on the Word is now taking place.”

Meanwhile, this graduation ceremony is held under the theme “Love, Blessings, and the Light that Shines upon the World” and includes the following program: the national ceremony and congratulatory address, a commemorative speech by Chairman Lee Man-hee, a benediction prayer, the turning of tassels and the presentation of awards and graduation certificates, a graduate’s speech, and a congratulatory performance.

“Based on Rev 22:18–19, Examine Yourself: Have You Kept the Word According to the Bible?”

First of Its Kind Overseas with Significant Pastor Participation… Expanding Scripture-Centered Fellowship

On the 18th, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Peter Tribe, Tanzania Church (led by Pastor Yoon Hyun-chul, hereafter referred to as Shincheonji Tanzania Church) conducted an open Revelation Bible exam with local Protestant pastors and Shincheonji members in major cities, including Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The purpose of this exam was to evaluate whether believers, as the saints who hope for heaven, have kept the words of Revelation (Rev 22:18–19), which all believers must know, and to encourage each person to stand rightly before God. The exam consisted of 10 main questions and 33 sub-questions, all centered on Revelation. Participants reflected not just on knowledge, but on whether they truly believed and practiced according to the Word.

A total of 138 participants took the exam, including 98 local Protestant pastors and 40 Shincheonji members. Unlike last year’s exam in Korea—where only one pastor from a traditional denomination participated—this marked the first time a large number of pastors overseas took part.

The results showed a notable difference between groups (Shincheonji members scored an average of 95 points, while Protestant pastors scored an average of 7 points). However, the primary goal was not to rank participants, but to create an opportunity for self-reflection through Revelation and to draw closer to God.

One participating pastor said:

“Seeing Shincheonji members write their answers so confidently today made me reflect on my faith and calling as a pastor. I will study Revelation through the Shincheonji Zion Christian Mission Center, lead my congregation on God’s path, and teach them correctly so they can enter heaven.

Chairman Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus has consistently emphasized Revelation 22:18–19, saying,

“To enter heaven, one must not add to or subtract from the words of Revelation, but fully understand and keep them.”

He has also stated,

“The standard for discerning truth and falsehood, orthodoxy and heresy, is not human tradition or doctrine, but the Word of the Bible alone,”

highlighting the necessity of testing faith by the Bible.

Previously, Shincheonji Church of Jesus held a similar Bible exam in Korea with pastors from traditional churches, drawing attention at the time. Among 313 participants, only one pastor from an established denomination joined. This Tanzanian event, therefore, is significant as the first instance of large-scale pastor participation overseas.

A Shincheonji Church representative commented:

“The Bible exam is not just a test of knowledge, but a way to confirm whether one’s standard of faith is truly the Word of the Bible. We are grateful that more pastors are gradually joining both domestically and internationally. We hope more churches and believers will unite and interact based on Scripture.”

Meanwhile, since its establishment in 2018, Shincheonji Tanzania Church has grown steadily, with about 2,440 members as of August this year. The church continues to work toward spreading Scripture-centered faith through active exchanges with local pastors.