Shincheonji Volunteer Group Launches Global 'First Step' Initiative with New Graduates

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group has launched a worldwide initiative called 'First Step' that mobilizes recent graduates from its theology program to participate in community service projects across multiple continents. Through December 6th, volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, will engage in service projects in their local communities. The initiative represents a significant mobilization of human resources, drawing primarily from the group's newest members—recent graduates from Class 116 of the Zion Christian Mission Center.

A November 2nd ceremony at the Shincheonji Cheongju Church in South Korea celebrated the graduation of 59,192 theology students who had completed the Zion Christian Mission Center's year-long course. Among these graduates were 2,248 pastors. Based on their studies and learning, these graduates are now prepared to give back to their communities during the holiday season through service, gratitude, and love, with the aspiration of becoming a positive influence in the world. The 'First Step' program serves as a graduation commemoration special volunteer initiative, with service projects currently being organized across countries in Asia, North America, South America, and Africa.

An early example of this initiative occurred on November 30th in New York, where 65 Shincheonji Volunteer Group members traveled to Jones Beach in Long Island to participate in a beach clean-up. Despite challenging weather conditions including bitter cold and rain, the graduates from Class 116 and other volunteers worked together enthusiastically to collect bottle caps, wrappers, and various other debris left in the sand. The Shincheonji Volunteer Group plans to organize volunteer projects on a regular basis in New York, indicating a commitment to sustained community engagement rather than one-time events. The initiative demonstrates how large-scale religious education programs can translate theological training into practical community service, creating a bridge between spiritual development and tangible social contribution.

The global scope of the 'First Step' initiative represents a significant organizational achievement, coordinating volunteer efforts across multiple continents simultaneously. By timing the initiative during the holiday season, the program aligns with traditional periods of giving and service while providing new graduates with immediate opportunities to apply their learning in practical community contexts. The involvement of 2,248 pastors among the graduates suggests that leadership within the volunteer efforts may include individuals with formal religious training and potential community leadership experience. The beach clean-up in New York serves as a concrete example of how the initiative manifests in local communities, addressing environmental concerns while fostering community cohesion among participants. The Shincheonji Volunteer Group's commitment to regular volunteer projects in New York suggests an intention to establish ongoing community partnerships rather than temporary engagements.