Month: Dec 2021

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Shincheonji Launches Latest Bible Course As Demand Rises

Amid a global decline in the religious population a clear explanation of the Bible has drawn more than 140,000 believers and the attention of millions to Korean-based Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

“Shincheonji Online Seminar: Testimony on the Parables of the Secrets of Heaven and Their True Meanings” is a Bible-based programme offered by Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. The series of seminars focuses on understanding the parables written in the Bible’s New Testament and will be live-streamed afresh on YouTube from January.

“Parables are the key element to understanding the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. The prophecy of the Old Testament was fulfilled at the time of Jesus in his first coming. Now, Jesus left his prophecy of the New Testament to be fulfilled “when the time comes” (John 16:25). We are heading towards the true meaning as the prophecy is revealed,” said an official of the church.

A previous iteration of the seminars focused on the book of Revelation and was streamed on YouTube in the last three months. The content was released in 24 languages and reached 7 million views in 136 countries, including 16,000 pastors as participants of the course. 

Additionally, 1,200 global church leaders in 57 countries signed memorandum of understandings (MOUs) with Shincheonji to boost international cooperation and exchange educational support. 

Pastor Jerry Hagerman of Wayside Mission Church in Virginia, USA is one of the clergymen to have signed the MOU. “I want to be able to grow in the word and I want to teach our congregation…and help bring them from death to life,” he said. “I want to be one with God’s kingdom and have open communication.”

Interest in the educational activities of Shincheonji comes as other churches globally report a downward trend in membership. A report published by Peu Research Center’s National Public Opinion Reference Surveys in December found 3 out of 10 adults in the USA are now religiously unaffiliated, with the Protestant denomination hit hardest by a decline in congregants. Similarly, an investigation from Lifeway Research in Nashville found most Americans consider Jesus a historical figure but have no biblical knowledge about why he came. According to the report only 9% of 1,005 respondents knew that his mission was to testify the fulfilment of the Old Testament.

Contrary to the decrease seen in traditional denominations, over 140,000 people have joined Shincheonji since 2019. Its impressive growth has continued despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the world, more and more people are experiencing diseases, disasters, and hardships due to COVID-19, thinking deeply about the meaning of life and suffering. Religion must be able to provide answers to these people. In the religious world where face-to-face activities are limited, education should reach out to every individual in local communities,” a representative of the church said.

“Shincheonji Church appeals to the desire of believers to hold a clear explanation of Jesus’ mission in the New Testament,” he said. Shincheonji’s latest round of seminars will air on YouTube on Mondays and Thursdays from January 3 to March 28 at 10am (Korea Standard Time). You can watch the seminar by searching “Shincheonji Online Seminar: Testimony on the Parables of the Secrets of Heaven and Their True Meanings” on YouTube or through the link https://www.youtube.com/c/ShincheonjiChurchofJesus

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Umtata Women’s Support Centre launches Masiphunge Women Empowerment Programme

Gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) is a profound and widespread problem in South African communities, impacting on almost every aspect of life. GBVF (which disproportionately affects women and girls) is systemically and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures and traditions in South Africa. Population-based surveys show very high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual violence (SV) in particular, with IPV being the most common form of violence against women.

To address this challenge, the National Development Agency (NDA) granted funding to Umtata Women’s Support Centre (UWSC) to implement a Victim Empowerment Programme in King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality at O.R Tambo District within the villages of Baziya, Mpheko, Tabase, Ntshabeni, Msana and Bumbane.

The programme, led by UWSC, uses an approach called Masiphunge (Let’s Have a Cup of Tea) Women Empowerment Programme to specifically target women living in rural areas, and bring them together to share a cup of tea whilst discussing matters that affect their daily lives – through conversation the women share their dreams, pains and achievements. Masiphunge Women Empowerment Programme (MWEP) provides a Safe Space for women to heal and encourage holistic wellness physically, spiritually and psychologically. As a result the women who complete the programme are now Whistle-Blowers of GBVF in their own communities. 

UWSC is an Eastern Cape-based organisation founded in 1999 that deals with Gender-Based Violence, Women’s Human Rights, HIV/AIDS, Sexual Reproduction Health and Rights, and Human Trafficking in the area of O.R. Tambo district municipality. UWSC is the brainchild of Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) that set up the Centre because of approaches from desperate women, police and media reports on crime especially on women, which also affects children.

Today, the launch of the MWEP brought together, within the affected area, beneficiaries of the programme, and officials from various government departments and stakeholders including community leaders and traditional leaders led by Chief Thanduxolo Mtirara as well as the South African Police Services (SAPS); National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Women Rights International amongst others. 

“Masiphunge Women Empowerment Programme is a powerful instrument that is intended to heal women holistically – mentally, physically and economically by implementing NDP pillars 2, 3, 4 and 5 that focus on various interventions starting with prevention, through the justice system, care and healing and finally the economic emancipation of the participating women. We have seen significant changes and growth in all the women, particularly the women of Ntshabeni Village who have even mastered our last module that deals with forgiveness” says Mrs Kholiwe Nongauza, Social Worker and Programme Director at Umtata Women Support Centre. 

Mrs Sinenjongo Makhanda (39) of Ntshabeni Village says, “We are so grateful for this programme. Masiphunge came to us and healed us in many ways, even our hearts. We are better and stronger and are definitely healing – the scones we sell now after undergoing a baking course are our bread and butter.”

“It is through NDA strategic partnerships and an effective capacity building programme that we are able to reach disadvantaged communities and contribute to critical causes such as GBFV. O.R Tambo district was identified as a hot spot for GBFV, I believe serious work has been achieved through the Masiphunge programme. It is a pleasure to come and observe the outcome of the programme today and we hope to do more in future,” says Mrs Nokulunga Skeyi, NDA Provincial Manager.    

The Department of Social Development has pledged continued support of this type of programme and the expansion thereof to other villages in the district and beyond. Self-defense classes is also lauded to be one of the additional services that will be included within the programme going forward.

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Despite the pandemic, shout “WE ARE ONE” for peace in Southern Africa

As the COVID 19 pandemic continues to spread uncertainty and anxiety, bringing many changes to human life, numerous reports have poured in on the escalating cases of gender-based violence in regions most affected by the global outbreak.

 Southern Africa is no exception. As the pandemic rages on, alarming numbers of violence against women and children continue to climb. In 2019, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reported that 25% of women in Malawi have experienced physical or sexual spousal violence and 35%-45% levels were even higher in Zimbabwe.

 To combat the issues of security and peace in the immediate communities, leaders from civil society in Southern Africa gathered virtually on November 30 for the “Southern Africa Virtual Peace Summit”. In attendance were leaders in various fields, including political, religious, youth, women, education, media, and civil society organizations. The event was hosted by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO affiliated with the UN ECOSOC and the UN DGC.

This summit was especially meaningful in that leaders from various fields in Southern Africa have gathered for peace in the local community. Participants and leaders had time to look back on peace activities in the community during 2021 and make plans for peace activities in 2022.

 The topics that the participants discussed included conversations to solve various issues of violence, the current lack of peace projects in the COVID 19 pandemic, and how peace education can fill the gap, as well as peace activities in pan-religious fields.

 One of the guest speakers, Dorothy Goredema, a Peace and Development Lecturer of Masvingo State University in Zimbabwe said “ I’m excited to join hands with other Southern African countries to promote the work of peace.” Goredema added that she was encouraged that despite facing the COVID-19 situation, stakeholders were continuing to make efforts to come together through virtual platforms to plan and fight against issues that hinder peace.

Guest speakers Dorothy Goredema

 “Since gender inequality is one of the strongest push factors for both external and internal conflict, peace can be achieved if our activities and projects bring out true equality between men”, she said. “We need practical laws and institutions that go beyond simply wishing for peace. As such, there is a need for support and advocacy of DPCW into international law.”

Meanwhile, the DPCW(Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War) was drafted by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee, which is comprised of prominent international law experts from 15 different countries and proclaimed on 14 March 2016 in the form of a Preamble, 10 articles, and 38 clauses. and It contains the essential objectives of “realizing peace” of HWPL.

 Gift Khumalo, founder of Youth In Action, a youth organization based in South Africa said, “In South Africa, we have a lot of crime, people have a lot of firearms. I hope the message of peace needs to be spread so people can live a better life.” Khumalo also added that things were hard in 2021 but news about continuing to spread the word of peace through HWPL became hope. “I support HWPL’s mission of peace and we will be with you next year as well and I aim to make sure that I invite more people.”

 The event was a time to confirm that peace activities could be carried out online beyond the limitations of the pandemic environment, that is, face-to-face communication and experience through offline meetings and HWPL South Africa said, “In 2022, we will try to apply HWPL’s various international activities to the local community.”