Month: Sep 2024

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Peace Projects in 170 Countries : Cape Town Celebrates a Decade of Global Commitment to Peace

On September 21, 2024, Cape Town joined over 122 countries in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the HWPL World Peace Summit. The event, attended by 200 participants, was part of a global initiative to promote peace and address regional challenges through dialogue and cooperation.

Held at the Civic Centre’s Council Chambers, the event was organized in partnership with the City of Cape Town, Lady of Peace Community Foundation (LOPECO), Volunteer Hub, Africa Unite, Rob Youth Foundation, JCI Beau Bassin Rose Hill, Peacepod the National Interfaith Council of South Africa, and several schools, including Morifi High School, Zinniaville High School and Ribaneng High School.

The summit opened with a group session focusing on collective efforts for peace. It then moved into breakout rooms tailored to women, youth, religious leaders, government personnel, and educators, allowing for focused discussions on regional issues.

The event began with a welcome address by Hon. Khalid Sayed, followed by various plenary sessions. Nancy Richards from WomenZone and Fredalene Booysen of Sonke Gender Justice led insightful discussions on women’s empowerment. Monique Hansen, representing GunFreeSA, contributed her views on important issues from a youth perspective. Educational leaders such as Keamogetswe Mokopakgosi from Crescent Primary School in Botswana and Dawood Goeiman from Scottsdale High School underscored the pivotal role of education in fostering peace. In his speech, Former Vice President of Malawi, Hon. Khumbo Hastings Khachali, highlighted the importance of involving diverse stakeholders, stating that

“collaborative efforts are more effective when diverse stakeholders are involved.”

At the event, two religious leaders, Moulana Nolan from Westridge Mosque and His Holiness Swami Vedanand Saraswati Singh from the Sannyasa Spiritual Council of South Africa, delivered impactful speeches.

Moulana Nolan emphasized the importance of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a significant initiative from HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light). He highlighted that the DPCW is a legal framework promoting conflict prevention and peaceful resolution through dialogue, offering a foundation for sustainable peace. Moulana Nolan also expressed his deep connection to interfaith dialogue, particularly through his involvement with the WARP (World Alliance of Religions’ Peace) Office. “The HWPL interfaith dialogue,” he said, “unites religious leaders to resolve misunderstandings and foster harmony among faiths, creating a platform for collaboration in peace.” Reflecting on his nearly nine years with the WARP Office, he shared how much he has cherished being part of it.

His Holiness Swami Vedanand Saraswati Singh, in his speech, emphasized unity in diversity, stating:

“Let us never allow our beautiful diversity to turn into division.”

His words underscored the importance of maintaining harmony among different faiths and cultures in the pursuit of peace.

Chairman Lee Man-hee of HWPL pointed out that division of religion caused tremendous loss of life, emphasizing that religions must take the lead in dialogue and understanding. “We must work together to create a world of peace and leave it as a legacy for future generations. This is to fulfill our mission as a light that brings life to the global village. Only through love and peace can the world become one,” he said.

In line with the event keyword of regional cooperation, HWPL formed a partnership with the intergovernmental organization Group of 7+(G7+) and high-level political forum organization The Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) to develop peace initiatives. G7+ was established to unite conflict-affected countries by a vision of peace, stability, and development, with 20 member states, and the Parlatino was founded to promote development and integration within a framework of full democracy, having 23 member states.

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Southern Africa Prepares for Landmark Shincheonji Graduation Ceremony Following Chairman’s Visit to Cheongju

The highly anticipated Shincheonji Church of Jesus, New Heaven New Earth (NHNE), graduation ceremony will be hosted across several Southern African cities this November. Cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Rustenburg, Windhoek, Harare, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, and Gaborone will see civil society leaders, religious leaders, and media practitioners gathering for this momentous event, marking a new chapter of unity under the Word.

The announcement comes on the heels of a historic visit by the Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus to the Cheongju branch in South Korea on September 8, 2024. The Chairman’s visit drew a massive crowd of 80,000 people, including congregants from across the country and 100 pastors from various local churches. In a show of support, the attendees formed a 4 km-long human barrier to welcome him.

Shincheonji Church of Jesus members gathered at the Shincheonji Matthias Church in Cheongju, which was visited by Chairman Lee Man-hee.

The excitement surrounding the Chairman’s visit stems from his ability to clearly explain the entire Bible, offering believers a deeper understanding of their faith.

“We should be truly thankful that God has revealed to us the words of Revelation, which no one knew for 6,000 years. This Word is life. We must have faith that is 100% aligned with this Word, and this is what it means to be one with God,” the Chairman stated during his address.

He further emphasised the responsibility to share the Word, saying, “We can present the reality of the prophecies in the Book of Revelation. However, we were once in the same position as those who did not know. Therefore, we must humble ourselves and explain the truth to help others understand.”

Since its founding, NHNE has been devoted to spreading a Bible-centered faith. This year, the Chairman has visited more than 40 churches both in South Korea and internationally, sharing teachings rooted in the six principles of journalism—who, what, when, where, why, and how. A 2023 Pastoral Data Research Institute survey found that 65% of Protestant churchgoers in South Korea felt a “spiritual thirst.” Additionally, 55% expressed a desire for a “systematic Bible education” from their pastors, reflecting a widespread need for more structured and in-depth religious instruction.

General Chairman Lee Man-hee addressing reporters who came to cover the Shincheonji Matthias Church in Cheongju

NHNE, however, is reversing the trend of young adults in their 20s and 30s leaving religion. With more than 100,000 members completing NHNE’s 8-month Bible course annually, the church’s growth is driven by its Bible-centered teachings and the excellence of the revealed Word.

A church representative remarked, “The prophecies in the Book of Revelation, which many believed were just stories, have been fulfilled and have physical realities. This truth is at the core of NHNE’s teachings, supported by a systematic curriculum that resonates with people of all ages.”

As Southern Africa prepares for the upcoming graduation ceremony in November, the event is set to unite leaders and believers across the region, continuing the global mission of NHNE to spread the Word and bring clarity to the lives of believers.