World Mission Society Church of God: Difference between revisions

{{단체정보  

|Scale = 7,500 churches around the world<br>About 3.5 million registered members

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 60 years of its establishment.<ref name="370만">{{Cite web |url=https://monthly.chosun.com/client/news/viw.asp?ctcd=C&nNewsNumb=202402100023 |title=In the Midst of Declining Religion, 7,500 Churches Across 175 Countries... 3.7 Million Registered Believers Worldwide |website=Monthly Chosun|publisher=|date= February 2024}}</ref> The number of registered members was 3.7 million as of January, 2024.<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 4,200 awards from various governments and organizations, including the Presidential Group Citation from Korea,<ref name="대통령상">{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/award/ |title=Major Awards Received |website=WATV.org |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="대통령상" />, and the Legislative Merit Medal from Brazil.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/brazil-legislative-order-of-merit/ |title=The Church of God Honored With Brazil’s Legislative Merit Medal |website=WATV.org|publisher=|date= December 7, 2022}}</ref>

There are over 7,500 Churches of God established in 175 countries, centering on the [[Church of God Headquarters|Headquarters]] and the representative church in the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as "Korea"). In Korea alone, there are more than 400 churches in Seoul the capital, six metropolitan cities, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, and nine provinces. The Headquarters is located in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, and the representative church is the [[The New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple|New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple]] located in Pangyo New Town near the Headquarters. In Korea, the church has five training institutes in Okcheon, Yeongdong, Sejong, Yongin, and Seoguipo for education and events for the members throughout the world, and it operates the [[Church of God Theological Seminary|theological seminary]] for educating and dispatching the pastoral staff.

Since 2001, every year about 1,500 members from all over the world visit Korea through the [[The Church of God Overseas Visiting Group|Overseas Visiting Group]] program. There are currently 3.7 million members around the world who are carrying out missionary work to achieve the happiness of all mankind along with various volunteer services focused on aiding and supporting relief from disasters occurring throughout our global village.

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.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+28%3A19-20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 28:19–20 |quote= }}</ref> the Church of God takes the lead in preaching the [[gospel]] of the new covenant to all people in the world.  

:The Publication Mission Center delivers the truth and love of [[Elohim|God Elohim]] to every place around the world by translating publications and books into various languages. The efforts made by this center enables members to learn God’s teachings and realize His love through various publications such as the Truth Books written by the [[Second Coming Jesus (Second Coming Christ)|Second Coming Christ]] Ahnsahnghong, sermon books that explain the will of God, photo essay books, essay books, and children’s story books. It publishes monthly periodicals such as the [[Elohist|''Elohist'']], a representative monthly magazine of the Church of God, the youth magazine titled [[Soul|''Soul'']], and ''[[Happy Home Preparing the Sabbath|Happy Home]]'' a magazine which promotes family love.

{{그림 | 하나님의교회-전의산연수원.jpg |너비= 320px |정렬=오른쪽섬네일 |타이틀= The Church of God Jeonyisan Training Institute}}

The Church of God has five training institutes in Korea. The Jeonyisan Training Institute is the first institute to be established in Sejong City, where gatherings for pastoral staff and education for church members are actively carried out. The Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute in North Chungcheong Province is equipped with a large-scale facility that can accommodate more than 10,000 people. The Elohim Training Institute in Yeongdong-gun, North Chungcheong Province, has various educational facilities on site which are embraced by the beautiful natural scenery of Korea as its backdrop. There is no wonder why overseas visiting groups never miss a chance to visit this institute. The Dongbaek Training Institute, which is adjacent to the Headquarters, is useful for small-scale educational gatherings for the members. The WMC Training Institute in Seogwipo, which is the newest training institute among all, is expected to be used as an educational place to spread the gospel of the new covenant to people visiting Jeju from all around the world.

*[[Jeonyisan Training Institute]]

*[[WMC Institute|WMC Training Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kyeonggi.com/news/articleView.html?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=1219174 |title=Church of God, Establishes New Training Facilities and Temple in Jeju |website=Kyeonggi Ilbo |date=August 8, 2016}}</ref>

*2024 Registered members: 3.7 million at 7,500 Churches in 175 Countries

It is prophesied in the Bible that [[Christ]] is to sit on the [[Prophecy of King David’s Throne|throne of King David]]. [[David|King David]] sat on the throne when he was 30 years old and reigned for 40 years. Jesus was [[Baptism|baptized]] at 30 years of age according to the prophecy, but He died on the [[cross]] after preaching for only three years. Therefore, when Jesus comes a second time, he is to preach the gospel for the remaining thirty-seven years after his baptism at the age 30 and then pass away.<ref name="히9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Hebrews+9%3A27-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Hebrews 9:27–28 |quote= }}</ref> It is Christ Ahnsahnghong who has fulfilled all these prophecies. He was born in Korea—the country at the ends of the earth in the east, according to the prophecy of the Bible, and began His gospel ministry in 1948 and returned to heaven in 1985.

The most important reason the Church of God believes in Ahnsahnghong as Jesus who has come a second time is that He gives eternal life to humans who are all mortal beings. The evening before the [[Suffering on the Cross|Crucifixion]], Jesus Christ celebrated the [[Passover]]; He gave bread and wine to His disciples as the symbols of His flesh and blood and promised them the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, saying, “This cup is the new covenant.” The [[New Covenant Passover|Passover of the new covenant]] had been observed until the Apostolic Age, but it disappeared as the church became secularized. For about 1,600 years throughout the Dark Ages and the Reformation, no one had been able to restore the Passover. However, Christ Ahnsahnghong restored the new covenant and led mankind to eternal life and salvation. Therefore, He is God the Father—Christ Himself, who has come a second time.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개">{{Cite web|url=https://watv.org/truth-intro/ |title=The Church of God Introduction |website=WATV.org}}</ref>

The Church of God believes in [[God the Mother]] as well as God the Father. Many people believe there is only one God—God the Father. However, the Bible testifies about both God the Father and God the Mother as it states that there is “Our Father in heaven,”<ref name="마6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+6%3A9&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 6:9 |quote= }}</ref>and also that “The Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.”<ref name="우리어머니"/> <br>God appears as a male God and a female God throughout the Bible from the [[book of Genesis]] to the [[book of Revelation]]. In Genesis 1, God created man, saying, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,” and male and female were created in the [[image of God]]. This proves that the female image of God [Mother] exists as well as the male image of God [Father].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Genesis+1%3A26-27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Genesis 1:26–27 |quote=}}</ref><br>Moreover, the plural noun [[Elohim]] [Gods] is used in the Hebrew Bible more than 2,500 times, starting from the first verse of the Bible that says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The Creator of the heavens and the earth is not a singular God, but Elohim [Gods]. On the last page of the Bible, [[the Spirit and the Bride]] appear to proclaim to mankind, “Come and receive the water of life!”<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+22%3A17&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 22:17 |quote=}}</ref> It is only God who can give the [[The Water of Life|water of life]]. So in this verse, the Spirit is God the Father, and the Bride who is giving the water of life with him is God the Mother.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Revelation+21%3A9-10&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Revelation 21:9–10 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="우리어머니"/>

[https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christianity Christianity] is a religion that believes in God who has come in the flesh to give mankind salvation. The Bible testifies about Jesus Christ who was born as a baby 2,000 years ago: “God, the Word in the beginning, became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+1%3A1-14&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 1:1–14 |quote=}}</ref> The Christian doctrine that God came as a human being provoked great animosity among the followers of Judaism, which was a mainstream religion in those days. The Jews attempted to kill Jesus Christ, accusing Him, saying, “You, a mere man, claim to be God.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+10%3A33&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 10:33 |quote=}}</ref> Eventually, they crucified Him under the false charges that were hurled against him.<br>However, after the [[resurrection]] and [[Ascension of Jesus|ascension of Christ]], His disciples strongly testified about the “man Christ Jesus,” emphasizing their faith in God who came in the flesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Timothy+2%3A5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Timothy 2:5 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Philippians+2%3A5-8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Philippians 2:5–8 |quote=}}</ref> Since that time, Jesus Christ has been proclaimed throughout the world as the Savior of mankind, and is worshiped by people all around the world. The Bible prophesies that Christ will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.<ref name="히9" /> The prophecy of His second coming indicates His appearing in the flesh in the same manner as His first coming. God the Father and God the Mother are to come to this earth in the flesh as the Spirit and the Bride, saying, “Come and take the water of life,” just as God, who is the Word, did when He came as a man 2,000 years ago.<ref name=":0" /> The Church of God believes that the Spirit and the Bride are to come in the flesh to give the water of life in this age as prophesied in the Bible, just as Christ came as a man 2,000 years ago as prophesied in the Bible.

The titles of "father" and "mother" are used in a family. The earthly family consisting of a father, a mother, and children is actually a copy and shadow of the heavenly family. This means that there are God the Father, God the Mother, and God’s children in heaven as well.<ref name="마6"/><ref name="우리어머니">{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Galatians+4%3A26-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Galatians 4:26–28 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=2+Corinthians+6%3A17-18&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=2 Corinthians 6:17–18 |quote=}}</ref> A family is a community of love. This shows that there is also a spiritual family in heaven, which is a community of eternal love. Just as the members of an earthly family are related by blood, so are the [[Heavenly Family|members of the heavenly family]]. The members of the heavenly family are related by the blood of the covenant that God gives through the Passover.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개" /><br>The Church of God members believe in both God the Father and God the Mother, and this belief has a profound effect on their lives. They take pride in being God’s children and the members of the heavenly family. Since the earthly family reflects the heavenly family, they love their family members and pay attention to improving harmony and happiness within the family. According to the teachings of the Bible, they try to make their home as if it were a part of heaven by honoring their parents, showing affection to their children, maintaining a strong bond among their siblings, and loving their spouses as themselves. They also care about well-being and happiness of all people and willingly volunteer to help people who are in various difficulties.

Most churches today worship on Sunday, but the Church of God worships on Saturday, the Sabbath day. It is because the Bible defines the seventh-day Sabbath as the holy day of worship to God. The Sabbath was the day when God the [[Creator]] rested from all His work that He had done in creation for six days.  

Historical facts and calendars show that the Sabbath is Saturday according to the modern 7-day week system. Jesus clearly stated that He is the Lord of the Sabbath,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+12%3A8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 12:8 |quote=}}</ref> and set an example of keeping the Sabbath of the New Testament by worshiping God in spirit and in truth and doing what is good. This was contrary to the regulation of the Old Testament where lambs had to be sacrificed. We can confirm through the Bible that not only Jesus and His disciples but also Apostle Paul kept the Sabbath as a custom even after the Crucifixion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+17%3A2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 17:2 |quote=}}</ref>

The Church of God is the only church that observes the Passover just as Jesus Christ and His disciples did 2,000 years ago. The word ''Passover'' means that disasters pass over.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+12%3A11-13&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 12:11–13 |quote=}}</ref> The Passover was the day when the Israelites were saved from the horrible plague, which brought destruction upon the [[firstborn]], by putting the blood of the Passover lamb on the sides and tops of the doorframes of their houses just as God had commanded them. Furthermore, 3,500 years ago, they were liberated from their slavery in Egypt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+12%3A7-11&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 12:7–11 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+12%3A25-27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 12:25–27 |quote=}}</ref><br> In the New Testament times, Jesus Christ promised the forgiveness of sins and eternal life by giving the Passover bread and wine which symbolized His flesh and blood, and established this day as the ''new covenant'' the day before His crucifixion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Luke+22%3A19-20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Luke 22:19–20 |quote=}}</ref> Those who keep the Passover according to the command of Jesus Christ become God’s children who have inherited God’s flesh and blood, and receive the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the blessings of heaven as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Matthew+26%3A19-28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Matthew 26:19–28 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=John+6%3A53-54&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=John 6:53–54 |quote=}}</ref>

*[[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.)

As the regulation of worship, the Bible teaches that men should not wear anything on their heads, but that women must wear veils during prayer or worship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Corinthians+11%3A1-16&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=1 Corinthians 11:1–16 |quote=}}</ref> This regulation about the [[Women’s Veil]] is a teaching of Christ. This regulation has been established to keep order in the church, and it reflects God’s providence of Creation. In the Church of God, men do not wear anything on their heads. However, women wear veils at the time of prayer or worship, according to the practice of the Church of God as it is recorded in the Bible.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개" />

Baptism is a ceremony whereby one is born again as the body of sin is buried in water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Colossians+2%3A12&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Colossians 2:12|publisher=|quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Galatians+3%3A27&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Galatians 3:27 |publisher=|quote= }}</ref> The Bible testifies that baptism is the sign of a covenant with God—the sign of salvation. Baptism is the first step toward a life of faith and those who are baptized are granted citizenship in heaven as God’s people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Philippians+3%3A20&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3|title=Philippians 3:20 |quote=}}</ref> The Church of God teaches that true baptism is to be done in the names of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is done in accordance with Christ’s teaching to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”<ref name=":1" /> and that one must believe in God the Father and God the Mother before they are baptized.

Most people think of the [[cross]] as the symbol representing the Christian church, yet in the early Church that Jesus established and that the apostles attended the cross was never seen. Since the cross is an image, making a cross or praying in front of it is a violation of God’s command, “Do not make any image or worship it.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Exodus+20%3A4-5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Exodus 20:4–5 |quote=}}</ref><br>According to various books on Christian history and encyclopedias, the cross was one of the idols used in many ancient pagan religions as a symbol of faith or as a talisman. It was also used as an instrument of execution against Jesus during the time of the Roman Empire. The image of the cross was only introduced and set up in the church as the church became secularized. History records that the cross was set up for the first time in the church in the year 431, and it was erected on the top of the church steeple in 568.<ref>''A Dictionary of Dates Relating to All Ages and Nations'', Haydn, J. and Vincent, B., London. E. Moxon and Co., 1863, p.198, “Cross,” ''Crosses in churches and chambers were introduced about 431; and set up on steeples about 568.''</ref><br>For this reason, the Church of God rejects the image of the cross, which directly violates the will of God. The Church of God respects and keeps the new covenant Passover promised through the precious blood of Christ, who was sacrificed on the cross.<ref name="하나님의교회 진리소개" />

The Church of God was restored in 1964 by Ahnsahnghong who is the Second Coming Christ. Christ Ahnsahnghong opened the way to salvation by restoring all the truths of the new covenant that Jesus established 2,000 years ago; He restored the early Church of God. The Church of God, which was established by Christ Ahnsahnghong in Korea, has grown to have over 7,500 churches in 175 countries within 60 years.<ref name="370만" /><br>

The “Church of God” means a church established by God, and a church whose owner is God. In the Bible, the early Church that Jesus Christ established, and which the apostles Peter, John, and Paul all attended, was called the “Church of God.”<ref name="고린도전서1장">{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Corinthians+1%3A2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Corinthians 1:2 |quote=}}</ref> The Bible described it as the “church bought with God’s own blood.”<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+20%3A28&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 20:28 |quote=}}</ref><br>The new covenant that Jesus kept and which He taught as an example for us is the complete truth of the early Church and the “[[Gospel of the Kingdom|gospel of the kingdom]].” The saints of the early Church kept all of the precious truths that Jesus taught during His ministry, including the Passover of the new covenant established by the sacrifice of His blood shed on the cross. After the resurrection and ascension of Christ, the apostles and the saints of the early Church of God received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost and boldly preached the gospel; this led the number of people who received Jesus as Savior to exponentially increase. The fact that the gospel was rapidly preached to Gentile nations and cities beyond [[Jerusalem]] and Judea is evident in the record of Apostle Paul’s missionary journeys. Churches were established in Ephesus,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+20%3A17&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 20:17 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Corinth,<ref name="고린도전서1장"></ref> Antioch<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+13%3A1&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 13:1 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> etc., and the gospel was preached in many European regions, including Thessalonica,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+17%3A1-2&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 17:1–2 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Athens,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+17%3A16-17&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 17:16–17 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Malta,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+28%3A1-8&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 28:1–8 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Perga,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+14%3A20-25&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 14:20–25 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> Cyprus,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Acts+13%3A4-5&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Acts 13:4–5 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref> and Rome.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Romans+1%3A7&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Romans 1:7 |publisher= |quote=}}</ref>

God said that He wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth and to be saved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=1+Timothy+2%3A3-4&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=1 Timothy 2:3–4 |quote=}}</ref> Following the will of God, the Church of God is pursuing a “complete religious reformation” which is to restore the truth and faith of the early Church, by preaching the teachings of God, centering on the Bible. Consequently, the Church of God preaches the truth of the new covenant and the love of God so that all people around the world can come to the Spirit and the Bride who said, “Come and receive the water of life,”<ref name=":0" /> and be able to receive eternal salvation and happiness.

The Church of God began its overseas mission work in 1997 in accordance with God’s teaching to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/study-desk.html?q1=Mark+16%3A15&q2=&ss=0&t1=eng_n84&t2=eng_kjv&t3=eng_nas&ns=0&sr=1&ot=bhs&nt=wh&hv1=1&b=verse&d=3 |title=Mark 16:15 |quote=}}</ref> [[The Church of God in North America|The missionary work in North America]], which began in Los Angeles, California, has spread so rapidly that the church is now established in all 50 states as well as several major cities in Canada. Through [[The Church of God in South America|the missionary work in Central and South America]], which began in Peru in 1998, the gospel has been preached even to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and the valleys of the Andes in Peru as well. Today, there are over 7,500 churches in 175 countries around the world, including [[The Church of God in Europe|Europe]], [[The Church of God in Asia|Asia]], [[The Church of God in Africa|Africa]], and [[The Church of God in Oceania|Oceania]]. More than 80% of the members of each Church of God in every country are local people, and a significant number of them serve as local pastors.<ref name="60주년">{{Cite web |url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/monthly/view/339727 |title=[Special Feature on the 60th Anniversary of the Church of God] 20 Years as a Bridge Connecting Korea and the World: The Overseas Members' Visit Program of the Church of God |website=Monthly JoongAng |publisher= |date=May 17, 2024|year= |quote= }}</ref>

The Church of God helps families live in harmony, and awakens the members to the importance of family through educational programs, events, and seminars. [[“Father’s True Heart” Exhibition]] and [[“Our Mother” Writing and Photo Exhibition|“Our Mother” Writing & Photo Exhibition]] were held in the Church of God throughout Korea to remind the visitors of their parents’ love. The total number of visitors to these exhibitions exceeded 910,000. Additionally, numerous people have shared joy with their families by participating in the Seminars for Happy Family, [[Global Conference on Happy Family|various global conferences]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/global-conference-on-happy-family/ |title=Global Conference on Happy Family |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date=April 6, 2019 |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> orchestral concerts,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/news/content.asp?idx=24584&page=12&back=all |title=Healing Concert with Mother's Heart Touring around the Capital Area Closed |website=English.watv.org |publisher=  |date=December 1, 2013|year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> the New Jerusalem Festival<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/news/content.asp?idx=803&page=25&menu=I |title=Gracious Opportunity to Share Love With Loving Family |website=English.watv.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> as well as many other family oriented events.<br>The Church of God publishes various publications such as the monthly family magazine, ''[[Happy Home Preparing the Sabbath|Happy Home]]'', and regularly provides materials for members to readily communicate with their families. All of these tools are used to help build the faith of the members in their homes as well as encouraging them to lead a healthy life.

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 (Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group)|Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group [ASEZ WAO]]].

In Korea, members have taken the lead in providing recovery and relief efforts and even preparing meals, whenever there have been nationwide disasters, including the Sampoong Department Store collapse, the Daegu subway fire, the Pohang earthquake, and the Sewol ferry disaster.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://monthly.chosun.com/client/news/viw.asp?ctcd=E&nNewsNumb=202003100052 |title='A World Where No One Feels Lonely,' Is Made with God’s Love as the Basis |website=Monthly Chosun |date=March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.incheonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=792291 |title=Church of God Donate 100 Million KRW to Help Pohang Earthquake Victims |website=Incheon Ilbo |date=December 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joongboo.com/news/articleView.html?mod=news&act=articleView&idxno=1211365 |title=Church of God Serve Free Meal at Pohang |website=Joongboo Ilbo |date=December 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kyeongin.com/main/view.php?key=890476 |title=[Sinking of Sewol Ferry] Church of God Serve Freemeal at the Sewol Ferry Disaster Site |website=Kyeongin Ilbo |date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> Members around the world have also made great efforts carrying out numerous recovery and relief projects for victims of various disasters such as the tsunami in Indonesia, the volcanic eruption in Ecuador, the hurricanes in the U.S., the typhoons in the Philippines, [[Earthquake Recovery Efforts by the Church of God in Nepal|the earthquake in Nepal]], torrential rains in Japan, the cold wave in Peru, etc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/emergency-relief/ |title=Emergency Relief |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>As of April 2024, numerous [[The Church of God’s Community Service Activities|community services]] such as disaster relief, blood donation, help for the underprivileged, medical support, and educational support have been carried out in 102 countries about 28,000 times. More than 1,300 blood drives have been held to help people in danger due to blood shortages,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jmagazine.joins.com/monthly/view/339728 |title=[Special Feature on the 60th Anniversary of the Church of God] Earth's Unified Platform Drawing Attention Even from the UN: The Church of God |website=Monthly Chosun |date=February 2024}}</ref> and nearly 111,000 people have donated blood among 263,000 participants. This is equivalent to saving more than 333,000 people since one person’s blood donation can save three other people. Through such activities, the Church of God participates in the implementation of the internationally accepted Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.watv.org/internal/content.asp?articleid=i20171207648 |title=ASEZ Global Forum for UN SDGs Implementation |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> During the COVID-19 pandemic, they helped with preventive measures and relief efforts, providing face masks, hand sanitizers, medical supplies, groceries, and daily necessities to different governmental departments, organizations, and to many vulnerable groups of people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.watv.org/internal/content.asp?articleid=i20200304628 |title=Church of God Support Emergency Aid to Overcome COVID-19 |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |first= |page= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

*[[The No More GPGP Campaign (Reducing Plastic Use)|No More GPGP Campaign (Reducing plastic use)]]

*Green Earth Campaign (City and forest cleanup)

*Blue Ocean Campaign (Sea and river purification)

*[[Green Workplace (Workplace Eco-Friendly) Project|“Green Workplace” project (Eco-friendly activity at workplaces)]]

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 necessary volunteer activities in local communities by signing MOUs with 154 organizations, including the Ministry of Education of Nepal and the Ministry of Environment of the Dominican Republic (as of October 2023).<ref name="경남">{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsgn.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=414134 |title=ASEZ Takes a Step Closer to Humanity's Common Goal through Marine Ecosystem Conservation |website=News Gyeongnam|publisher=  |date=April 24, 2024|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=ASEZ Church of God University Student Volunteers YouTube Video |publisher=  |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 60,000 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 name="경남"/>

In 2023, AESZ WAO won the Bronze [https://thegreenorganisation.info/greenawards/ Green Apple Award] in recognition of its efforts to protect the terrestrial ecosystem through the “Green Earth” project, and received the Green Apple Award for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.joongboo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=363622577 |title="The Church of God Receives Green Apple Organization's Bronze Award" |website=The Joongbu Ilbo|date=November 24, 2023 |quote=}}</ref>

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