Manmin Central Church Holds ‘2025 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony’

Manmin Central Church in Seoul, South Korea, led by Senior Pastor Soojin Lee, said it held its “2025 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony” at 8 p.m. on December 12, ahead of Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.   In a congratulatory message, Pastor Lee emphasized the significance of Christ’s birth. “Though without sin, Jesus came to this earth to bear the sins of humanity and be crucified,” Lee said. “From His first step to His last, every moment was an expression of love for mankind.”   Reflecting on the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth, Lee noted that while parents typically prepare a warm and comfortable place for childbirth, Jesus was born in a manger — the lowest of places. “This was an event filled with God’s love, revealing His intention to grant us richness through poverty and to save humanity through humility,” she explained.   Lee also stressed that Christ’s suffering was an act of love meant to bring strength and healing. “The Lord endured scourging and hardship for our well-being,” she said, adding that those who believe in Jesus Christ can be freed from the burdens of poverty, illness, and suffering, and come to experience true peace and joy.   The ceremony was livestreamed worldwide via GCN TV’s YouTube channel. 강동현 기자christmas lighting christmas tree central church christmas celebrating

2025.12.16. 0:03

Manmin Central Church Hosts K-Food Event

More than 110 guests from across the globe gathered at Manmin Central Church, led by Senior Pastor Soojin Lee, on August 3 for a vibrant K-Food experience, discovering the art of Korean cuisine just a day before the church’s annual summer retreat. The event welcomed participants from countries such as Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Colombia, Peru, Kenya, and Moldova.   This year’s event, now in its second year, featured a generous spread of gimbap, tteokbokki, eomuk (Korean fish cake) soup, and cup noodles.   For many, the highlight was learning how to roll their own gimbap — a staple Korean dish made with rice, vegetables, and protein wrapped in seaweed. “It tastes so much better when I make it myself!” exclaimed one participant, beaming with pride after trying their creation. Despite the unfamiliar techniques and ingredients, the room quickly filled with laughter as guests helped one another and shared their creations.   Tteokbokki is a popular Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes in a spicy and slightly sweet gochujang-based sauce.   Wiyada from Thailand shared her thoughts, saying, “Making gimbap myself was much easier than I expected. I’d love to teach others how to make it when I return to Thailand.”   Pastor Dhany Satrianto, who joined the event with his wife from Indonesia, said, “Korean dishes like gimbap and tteokbokki were so delicious—I definitely want to try them again next time.”   Patricia Nieva from Peru smiled as she said, “The process of making gimbap was fascinating. It wasn’t difficult, so I had fun making it and really enjoyed the taste.”   The church organizers stated that the program aimed to foster cultural understanding and provide a hands-on introduction to Korean cuisine to the international community. “We wanted our guests to experience Korea not just by watching, but also by doing,” the church said in a statement. “It was moving to see their excitement, and we’re committed to continuing cultural programs like this.”   The K-Food workshop is part of the Church’s broader initiative to create immersive cultural experiences for its growing network of international members.   The experience of international guests making Korean food themselves has proven to be an effective way to deepen understanding and appreciation of Korean culture. This hands-on program organized by Manmin Central Church can play a significant role in the globalization of K-Food and in promoting cultural exchange. In particular, this event is seen as a strong example of grassroots cultural diplomacy.    정현식 기자central church central church food experience korean cuisine

2025.08.03. 23:34

Manmin Central Church Deploys Emergency Recovery Teams to Flood-Hit Gapyeong

On July 24, Manmin Central Church, led by Senior Pastor Soojin Lee, dispatched emergency recovery personnel to Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province, where days of torrential rains have left widespread devastation.   Mobilizing a team of volunteers, the church launched immediate relief efforts to help residents rebuild their homes and return to daily life. Church officials say the initiative was intended to provide both comfort and practical support to those who lost their livelihoods in the flooding.   "This is about standing with our neighbors in a time of crisis," a church spokesperson said. "We want to offer hope where there is pain."   The initiative is being recognized as a demonstration of the church fulfilling its role as the "light and salt" of the local community.   Just two days earlier, on July 22 at 6:44 p.m., the government declared six districts—Gapyeong in Gyeonggi, Seosan and Yesan in South Chungcheong, Damyang in South Jeolla, and Sancheong and Hapcheon in South Gyeongsang—as special disaster zones, paving the way for expedited government aid.    정현식 기자emergency recovery central church emergency recovery church spokesperson

2025.07.23. 22:06