Religious communities mark milestones in South Korea and New York

Manmin Central Church held a service and celebratory performance at the Sintex Convention Center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, to mark its 44th anniversary. During the service, Pastor Lee Su-jin delivered a sermon titled ‘Manmin’s Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,’ reflecting on the church’s history of growth since its founding in 1982 with 13 members.

In New York, the New York Hesed Garden Church held its inaugural service in Westbury. The new congregation was formed by members leaving the United Methodist Church (UMC) due to disagreements regarding the denomination’s policies on homosexuality and traditional religious values. Led by Pastor Yang Min-seok, the church aims to uphold evangelical values. To mark the occasion, the church announced that all offerings from the inaugural service would be donated to the New York Youth Center.

Both events highlight distinct developments within religious communities, focusing on institutional milestones and shifts in denominational affiliation.