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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Christian Gospel Mission (CGM) is a Christian new religious movement founded by Jung Myung Seok. It began its ministry in June 1978, in Seoul, South Korea. In its formative years, CGM has also been called Jesus Morning Star (JMS), International Christian Union, the Morning Star Ministry (MS Ministry), Ae-chun Church (애천교회), and formally became CGM in October 1999.
Christian Gospel Mission 기독교복음선교회 Providence | |
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Abbreviation | CGM |
Classification | Christian new religious movement |
Head Pastor | Jung Myung Seok (Joshua) |
Headquarters | Wolmyeongdong |
Founder | Jung Myung Seok (Joshua) |
Origin | 1978 Seoul, South Korea |
Separated from | Methodism |
Members | More than 200,000 |
Other name(s) |
|
Official website | Official website Official website |
Christian Gospel Mission | |
Hangul | 기독교복음선교회 |
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Hanja | 基督敎福音宣敎會 |
Revised Romanization | gidokgyobogeumseongyohoe |
McCune–Reischauer | kidokkyobogŭmsŏn’gyohoe |
CGM also calls itself “Providence”, with the meaning of “God’s will and history”. Globally, CGM proselytizes under different translations of the name "Providence" (Sheli (chinese/taiwanese), setsuri (japanese), sumni (korean)). Various churches under CGM have its own distinct name, but follow Jung’s teachings (e.g. Bright Moon Church, Nak-seong-dae Church, Seoul Church).
In 2005, the CGM had over 400 churches in Korea, and churches in over 50 others nations, with a total membership in excess of 200,000. Its headquarters and retreat center is located in Wolmyeongdong, South Korea.
The CGM believes in the authority of the Bible, that Jesus is the Christ. It emphasizes the importance of sincere faith in God and Jesus, by practicing the Bible’s teachings. The CGM’s teachings of the Bible divert from literal interpretations of the Bible and traditional Christian views,[1] because it believes that the Bible is full of parables and symbols. CGM’s 30 lessons are said to bear resemblance to the "Divine Principle" of the Unification Church.
CGM conducts various religious practices including giving glory to God, Holy Spirit Movements, prayer meetings and evangelism events. It is also active in peace and culture activities such as various sports and arts events. The CGM's public service arm is also active in over 50 community service activities internationally.
CGM has been criticized for teaching its founder, Jung, to be the messiah. CGM has refuted this allegation and stated that CGM and Jung teach Jesus as the Messiah, and that all Jesus’ followers should strive to become the body of Jesus on earth by doing His work.
CGM has also been widely referred to by the media as a cult.[2][3] The CGM responded that Jung and the CGM teaches a life centered on Jesus, although its Biblical interpretations may differ from some traditional Christian views.[1]
In April 2009, CGM's founder Jung was sentenced by the Supreme Court of South Korea to 10 years imprisonment based on four charges of sexual assault and molestation,[4][5] following media allegations since 1999. In 2010, the South Korean Court ruled that the 1999 media report was biased and CGM was compensated for the damages.[6] After Jung was sentenced, investigative news reports emerged claiming that the judgment against Jung was unjust and without proper evidence.[7][8][9]