Church Growth International (CGI) was established in November 1976 with the aim of fostering the growth of churches around the world by showcasing exemplary models like Yoido Full Gospel Church. Since then, CGI has continued to grow remarkably as global pastors and church leaders have participated actively. The 50th CGI Conference takes place at Yoido Full Gospel Church and Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul from Oct. 28-31, led by Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church. Lee, who also serves as the CGI chairman, expects the forthcoming conference to be the fresh catalyst for the revival of churches around the world. In a recent interview with GoodTV, a Christian gospel broadcaster, he told Korean churches to tide over endless division, conflict and confrontation and unite to prepare for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. “Korean churches should repent and reflect before the global religious world,” he said. Asked about what was behind the foundation of CGI, Lee said CGI has had a tremendous impact on churches around the world over the last 50 years. “As t
Church Growth International (CGI) was established in November 1976 with the aim of fostering the growth of churches around the world by showcasing exemplary models like Yoido Full Gospel Church. Since then, CGI has continued to grow remarkably as global pastors and church leaders have participated actively. The 50th CGI Conference takes place at Yoido Full Gospel Church and Jamsil Student Gymnasium in Seoul from Oct. 28-31, led by Lee Young-hoon, senior pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church. Lee, who also serves as the CGI chairman, expects the forthcoming conference to be the fresh catalyst for the revival of churches around the world. In a recent interview with GoodTV, a Christian gospel broadcaster, he told Korean churches to tide over endless division, conflict and confrontation and unite to prepare for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula. “Korean churches should repent and reflect before the global religious world,” he said. Asked about what was behind the foundation of CGI, Lee said CGI has had a tremendous impact on churches around the world over the last 50 years. “As t
Church leaders and Christians from 50 countries are gathering in Seoul to take part in the 50th Church Growth International (CGI) Conference that will open Wednesday. They will share experiences and seek a path to revival that will be handed over to the next generation. Among the notable speakers will be Hendrik Vorster, founder and president of Cornerstone Ministries International in Australia, which helps him lead church planting and discipleship efforts across the world. Specifically, he has trained more than 130,000 church planters in 78 countries since launching the Church Planting Institute in 2012. Vorster, who also serves as bishop of the Charismatic Churches of India Diocese, is doing whatever he can to strengthen churches and develop leaders across the world through structured discipleship. Satish Kumar, a pastor, author, international speaker and humanitarian, leads Calvary Temple in Hyderabad, India, which boasts more than 400,000 members as one of Asia’s largest churches. He has won fame for his biblical teaching and humanitarian service and has led initiatives such as f
Church leaders and Christians from 50 countries are gathering in Seoul to take part in the 50th Church Growth International (CGI) Conference that will open Wednesday. They will share experiences and seek a path to revival that will be handed over to the next generation. Among the notable speakers will be Hendrik Vorster, founder and president of Cornerstone Ministries International in Australia, which helps him lead church planting and discipleship efforts across the world. Specifically, he has trained more than 130,000 church planters in 78 countries since launching the Church Planting Institute in 2012. Vorster, who also serves as bishop of the Charismatic Churches of India Diocese, is doing whatever he can to strengthen churches and develop leaders across the world through structured discipleship. Satish Kumar, a pastor, author, international speaker and humanitarian, leads Calvary Temple in Hyderabad, India, which boasts more than 400,000 members as one of Asia’s largest churches. He has won fame for his biblical teaching and humanitarian service and has led initiatives such as f
Political campaigns are supposed to be tough, but we have to draw a line between challenging an opponent’s record and weaponizing someone’s traumatic childhood.
Rep. Mark Takano criticized President Donald Trump for suggesting that the settlement of Camp Lejeune veterans' toxic exposure claims could depend on the outcome of the midterm elections.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in Viramontes v. Cook County regarding the constitutionality of state and local bans on AR-15 semiautomatic rifles.
Ohio Republican gubernatorial nominee Vivek Ramaswamy faced widespread condemnation from both Democrats and fellow Republicans for releasing a television advertisement featuring the mother of Democratic candidate Dr. Amy Acton, a move that critics compared to the unethical tactics of Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary of declared independence this year, citizens turn their thoughts to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and … Benedict Arnold?
The important lesson is not that humans are obsolete; it is that the automation rate on real freelance work has risen from near-floor performance to a level businesses can no longer dismiss.
As the 2026 midterms approach, concerns are mounting over whether President Trump will attempt to overturn results through legal challenges, seizure of voting machines, or other controversial measures.
With just over a week to go until the midterm elections, former President Obama joined the campaign trail to remind us of just how smug and condescending he can be. It was Obama at his best: He made fun of the tastes of middle-class Americans, getting into hot water over a joke about how tacky…
Mental health has quietly become one of the defining issues of our time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions, and mental disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally. Korea is no exception. Depression, anxiety, burnout and loneliness are discussed more openly today than ever before. This alone is progress. For generations, mental health was often shrouded in stigma and silence. Seeking help was considered a sign of weakness rather than strength. Today, many Koreans are finally acknowledging that emotional suffering deserves attention and treatment. Walk around Gangnam Station in southern Seoul, and you will find plenty of mental health clinics promoting their services, alongside the area’s many plastic surgery clinics. Yet as awareness grows, I sometimes wonder whether we risk becoming too eager to label every form of distress as a medical condition. To be clear, medication saves countless lives worldwide. Psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health professionals provide essential
Mental health has quietly become one of the defining issues of our time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions, and mental disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally. Korea is no exception. Depression, anxiety, burnout and loneliness are discussed more openly today than ever before. This alone is progress. For generations, mental health was often shrouded in stigma and silence. Seeking help was considered a sign of weakness rather than strength. Today, many Koreans are finally acknowledging that emotional suffering deserves attention and treatment. Walk around Gangnam Station in southern Seoul, and you will find plenty of mental health clinics promoting their services, alongside the area’s many plastic surgery clinics. Yet as awareness grows, I sometimes wonder whether we risk becoming too eager to label every form of distress as a medical condition. To be clear, medication saves countless lives worldwide. Psychiatrists, psychologists and mental health professionals provide essential
Classical music has an emotionally stabilizing effect that is distinct from pop music. However, for many of us, including myself, it can seem like the music is something reserved for special occasions or elite groups of people. In recent years in Korea, a new cultural shift has been reshaping this perception. It might be called “everyday classics.” Everyday classics are not confined to the gilded stages of opera houses. They spill into cafés, living rooms, parks and even the daily commute. They include not only traditional chamber works or symphonies, but also film scores, musical theater numbers and operettas — genres that bridge the gap between classical tradition and popular culture. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra has embraced this vision wholeheartedly. Since 2026, it has launched “Ilsang Classics,” meaning “Everyday Classics.” It is a unified brand for its social contribution and community-focused projects. The initiative reflects a belief that music should not be locked away in prestigious venues, but shared freely with citizens in spaces where life unfolds most n
Classical music has an emotionally stabilizing effect that is distinct from pop music. However, for many of us, including myself, it can seem like the music is something reserved for special occasions or elite groups of people. In recent years in Korea, a new cultural shift has been reshaping this perception. It might be called “everyday classics.” Everyday classics are not confined to the gilded stages of opera houses. They spill into cafés, living rooms, parks and even the daily commute. They include not only traditional chamber works or symphonies, but also film scores, musical theater numbers and operettas — genres that bridge the gap between classical tradition and popular culture. The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra has embraced this vision wholeheartedly. Since 2026, it has launched “Ilsang Classics,” meaning “Everyday Classics.” It is a unified brand for its social contribution and community-focused projects. The initiative reflects a belief that music should not be locked away in prestigious venues, but shared freely with citizens in spaces where life unfolds most n
In a recent New York Times essay, Helen Gao describes a troubling trend in China. As optimism about the economy weakens, frustration has turned toward successful individuals suspected of undeserved privilege and women blamed for men’s difficulties. The author describes online campaigns investigating successful individuals for evidence of possible favoritism or fraud that can discredit their achievements. Such scrutiny occasionally exposes wrongdoing, but can also show a difficulty believing that someone else’s success doesn’t threaten our own. When we feel uncertain about our own future, someone else’s success can become harder to regard generously. In Korea, these concerns are often expressed through the language of fairness. The 2026 OECD Economics Surveys: Korea explains that intense educational competition is closely linked to divisions in salary, future job security and social protection that one enjoys throughout their lifetime. University admission or a first job can shape future opportunities, making rules governing the competition personal to those involved. An unfair a
In a recent New York Times essay, Helen Gao describes a troubling trend in China. As optimism about the economy weakens, frustration has turned toward successful individuals suspected of undeserved privilege and women blamed for men’s difficulties. The author describes online campaigns investigating successful individuals for evidence of possible favoritism or fraud that can discredit their achievements. Such scrutiny occasionally exposes wrongdoing, but can also show a difficulty believing that someone else’s success doesn’t threaten our own. When we feel uncertain about our own future, someone else’s success can become harder to regard generously. In Korea, these concerns are often expressed through the language of fairness. The 2026 OECD Economics Surveys: Korea explains that intense educational competition is closely linked to divisions in salary, future job security and social protection that one enjoys throughout their lifetime. University admission or a first job can shape future opportunities, making rules governing the competition personal to those involved. An unfair a
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