Editing Good News Mission

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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Good News Mission
| img =
| caption = Bible Seminar in New York
| location = Worldwide
| attendance = 
| founded date = 1972
| founder = [[Ock Soo Park]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.goodnewsmission.net}}
}}

'''Good News Mission''' ('''GNM'''; {{Korean|hangul=기쁜소식선교회|hanja=|rr=gi-ppeun-so-sik-sseon-gyo-hoe}}) is a South Korean [[Christianity|Christian]]-based [[new religious movement]] founded in 1971 by pastor [[Ock Soo Park]].<ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://wclw.org/en/introduction/pastor-ock-soo-park/
  | title        = Main Lecturer: Pastor Ock Soo Park
  | publisher        = Wclw.org
  | date        = 
  | accessdate        = 14 June 2014
  | archive-date        = October 26, 2020
  | archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20201026171432/http://wclw.org/en/introduction/pastor-ock-soo-park/
  | url-status        = dead
  }}</ref>  It is one of several new religious movements in Korea referred to as ''Guwonpa'' ([[Salvation Sect|Salvation Sect]]).<ref name="guwonpa1">{{cite journal | last1=Kim | first1=Dawid W. | last2=Bang | first2=Won-il | journal=Religions | year=2019 | volume=10 | issue=3 | title=Guwonpa, WMSCOG, and Shincheonji: Three Dynamic Grassroots Groups in Contemporary Korean Christian NRM History | pages=212 | doi=10.3390/rel10030212| doi-access=free | hdl=1885/204914 | hdl-access=free }}</ref>

== History ==
The first Good News church was established in 1972 by Ock Soo Park and became a mission when the missionary school was established in 1976, taking over the existing missionary school in place of the returning orthodox evangelical missionaries.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goodnews.or.kr/info/mission02 |title=기쁜소식선교회 태동 |access-date=20 June 2024 |publisher=Good News Mission }}</ref> In the early years, Park conducted vocation Bible schools for the youth in the nearby villages, served as a spiritual counselor at Suwon Prison, and went on witness trips to leper colonies. In the early 1990s, the mission sent its first missionaries to [[Germany]] and [[the United States]]. Missionaries sent to [[Kenya]] in the mid-1990s faced problems with religious registration as foreign groups were denied such registration unless sponsored by a native Kenyan church. Eventually, religious registration was granted to them. In the early 2000s, missionaries were dispatched to [[South Africa]], [[Brazil]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Dominican Republic]], [[Turkey]], and [[Uzbekistan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ospark.pe.kr/rb/?r=pst&c=5/32|title=박옥수목사 홈페이지 - 50주년|website=ospark.pe.kr|access-date=2019-02-07}}</ref>

According to the church webpage, it currently has 170 churches in South Korea and 838 international churches.<ref>{{cite web
  | url        = http://goodnewsmission.net/?page_id=41
  | title        = Who We Are
  | publisher        = Good News Mission
  | date        = 
  | accessdate        = 14 June 2014
  | archive-date        = January 20, 2015
  | archive-url        = https://web.archive.org/web/20150120053621/http://goodnewsmission.net/?page_id=41
  | url-status        = dead
  }}</ref>

== Doctrine ==
=== Antinomianism (Rejection of the Law) ===
Good News Mission teaches that the law was abolished at the cross, and therefore, those who are saved no longer need to be bound by or feel guilty about following the law. As a result, they reject practices such as observing the Sabbath, tithing, fasting, early morning prayer, and even a regular prayer life, considering these to be part of the law that no longer applies to believers. They claim that once saved, believers are completely free from the law's requirements, citing Romans 7 as their basis. This antinomian doctrine is considered a clear heresy with numerous issues. Without the law, sin itself cannot be defined. Consequently, they teach that there is no need to repent even if one sins. This leads to a life of licentiousness, where sin is no longer regarded as sin. Furthermore, without the law, the pursuit of sanctification (a holy life) is rendered meaningless. Sanctification is based on the law; thus, if the law is abolished, sanctification is effectively abolished as well.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jin|first=Yong Sik|title=구원파의 율법 폐기론의 문제점|trans-title=Problems with Good News Mission's Rejection of the Law|url=https://www.kportalnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=13067|access-date=4 September 2024|newspaper=Kportal News|date=10 September 2014}}</ref>

== Controversies ==
=== Lies and Deceptive Proselytism ===
In 2011, 400 volunteer English teachers, including a number of young college students, were led to believe that they were recruited to teach English in [[Mexico]]. The preparatory meeting, called "English Camp", included religious lectures on the topic of sin, which took place in ballrooms guarded by security personnel that discouraged members from leaving. Participants who were considered "tardy" were subjected to [[physical punishment]] such as being made to do [[squat-thrust]] exercises. One of the college students attending the event said, "I was the victim of a scam."<ref>{{cite web
  | last1      = Dwyer
  | first1     = Jim
  | title      = Traveling to Teach English; Getting Sermons Instead
  | url        = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/nyregion/traveling-to-volunteer-but-it-wasnt-what-they-expected.html?_r=0
  | work       = New York Times
  | accessdate = 26 July 2015
}}</ref>

The organisation's activities in [[Nagaland]], India, as well as in [[Uganda]] where religious material from the Good News Mission has been used in public schools, have also been questioned.<ref>{{cite web
  | title      = "NBCC cautions on 'Good News Mission'"
  | url        = http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMTg1Njg%3D-ITV3kfEFmyQ%3D
  | work       = Nagaland Post
  | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160415090812/http://www.nagalandpost.com/ShowStory.aspx?npoststoryiden=UzEwMTg1Njg%3D-ITV3kfEFmyQ%3D
  | archivedate = 15 April 2016
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | last1      = Okoth
  | first1     = Josue
  | title      = "International Youth Fellowship: Is it a cult or form of religion?"
  | url        = http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/International-Youth-Fellowship-cult--religion/689364-4075866-5bbs11z/index.html
  | work       = Daily Monitor
  | accessdate = 19 April 2018
}}</ref>

=== The Ink Attack Incident on ''Hyundae Jongyo'' ===
Members of the Good News Mission were apprehended by the police and eventually fined after carrying out an ink attack on Hyundae Jongyo, a magazine specializing in cult issues. On October 18, 2018, four men stormed into the Hyundae Jongyo office, throwing eggs and splashing black ink and red liquid, causing a shocking scene. Among them, one man, unable to control his anger, shouted, "I'll go to jail, you bastards!" while wreaking havoc in the office. As a result, they were held legally accountable, facing both civil and criminal charges.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Yong Phil|title=이단 전문 매체 ＜현대종교＞, 먹물·계란 투척 봉변|trans-title=Hyundae Jongyo, a Media Outlet Specializing in Cults, Faces Ink and Egg Attack|url=http://www.newsnjoy.or.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=220503|access-date=26 August 2024|newspaper=News&Joy|date=22 October 2018}}</ref>

=== Incheon High School Girl Death Incident ===
A high school girl was killed due to abuse by Eun-sook Park, the director of the Gracias Choir affiliated with the Good News Mission. The girl was sent to the church by her mother after being persuaded by the choir’s offer to take care of her mental health treatment. The girl endured severe mistreatment, including being deprived of sleep, confinement, and being monitored by church members. Over a period of five days, the girl was forced to transcribe the Bible and repeatedly climb stairs for an hour, leading to severe physical deterioration. She eventually lost control of her bodily functions and was unable to eat. After losing consciousness, she died four hours later.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Jung Soo|title=기쁜소식인천교회 사망 여고생, 5일 잠 못 자는 등 가혹행위 당해|trans-title=High School Girl from Good News Incheon Church Dies After Enduring Five Days of Sleep Deprivation and Severe Mistreatment|url=http://www.hdjongkyo.co.kr/news/view.html?section=22&category=1007&no=20019|access-date=27 August 2024|newspaper=Modern Religion Monthly|date=25 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Oh|first=Myung Ok|title=이렇게 잔인할 수가... '기쁜소식선교회' 신도들 맹신이 부른 참극|trans-title=How Could It Be This Cruel... Tragedy Brought by the Blind Faith of 'Good News Mission' Followers|language=ko|url=http://www.churchheresy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1469|access-date=19 September 2024|newspaper=Church and Truth|date=13 September 2024}}</ref> Eun-sook Park, director of the Gracias Choir and daughter of Pastor Ock Soo Park, denied any involvement in or connection to the events leading to the death of the high school student.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title="여고생 신도 사망 과정에 박은숙 그라시아스 합창단장 개입 지시 없다" 주장|trans-title="No Involvement or Directives from Gracias Choir Director Eunsook Park in High School Student's Death," Claims Assert|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20492|access-date=5 September 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=4 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=박옥수 딸 박은숙 그라시아스합창단 단장, "숨진 여고생 학대 경위 잘 모른다"|trans-title=Park Ok-soo's daughter, Park Eun-sook, the director of the Gracias Choir, says, "I don't know much about the circumstances surrounding the abuse of the high school girl who died."|language=ko|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20565|access-date=25 September 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=24 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Oh|first=Myung Ok|title=한참 생각 멈추게 하는 ‘종교범죄’의 잔인성... 인천 구원파교회 여고생 사망 건|trans-title="The Disturbing Cruelty of ‘Religious Crimes’ That Leave You Speechless... High School Girl’s Death at Incheon Salvation Sect Church"|language=ko|url=http://www.churchheresy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1483|access-date=14 October 2024|newspaper=Church and Heresy|date=12 October 2024}}</ref> At the sentencing hearing held on November 25, 2024, the prosecution sought life imprisonment for Park Eun-sook and 30 years in prison for her accomplices.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Dae Woong|title=검찰, 인천 구원파교회 여고생 학대살해 합창단장에 ‘무기징역’ 구형|trans-title=Prosecution Seeks Life Imprisonment for Choir Director in Incheon Salvation Sect Church High School Student Abuse and Murder Case|language=ko|url=https://www.christiantoday.co.kr/news/365130|access-date=26 November 2024|newspaper=Christian Today|date=25 November 2024}}</ref> Park Eun-sook and her accomplices were each sentenced to four years and six months in prison at the end of their first trial.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Hyun Bin|title=기쁜소식인천교회 여고생 사망사건, 박은숙 등 3명 실형|trans-title=Good News Incheon Church High School Student Death Case: Park Eun-sook and Two Others Sentenced to Prison Terms|language=ko|url=http://www.hdjongkyo.co.kr/m/content/view.html?section=22&category=1007&no=20245|access-date=10 December 2024|newspaper=Modern Religion|date=9 December 2024}}</ref> At a second trial in September 2025, Park Eun-sook was sentenced to 25 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death. In January 2026, the [[Supreme Court of Korea]] upheld her conviction from the second trial.<ref>{{cite news |author1=이나라 기자 |title=인천 교회 여고생 학대 사망, 대법 ‘아동학대살해’ 확정…상고기각 결정 |url=https://www.incheonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1315876 |access-date=February 21, 2026 |work=incheonilbo.com |date=January 29, 2026 |language=korean |trans-title=The Supreme Court upholds the death of a high school student at an Incheon church as "child abuse and murder," and dismisses the appeal.}}</ref>

===Controversy over kimcheon university's new theology department===
Kimcheon University announced that it will establish a theology department and start admitting new students for the 2025 academic year. Concerns have arisen that this Christian private university may become a training ground for a sectarian group. Yoon Jong-soo, appointed as head of the theology department, is also the senior pastor at Good News Kimcheon Church. The university stated that there are no administrative issues, as Pastor Yoon has received approval to hold both positions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cho|first=Min Ki|title=김천대학교 신학과 신설, 교수진에는 기쁜소식김천교회 담임!|trans-title=Kimcheon University Establishes New Theology Department, Faculty Includes Head Pastor of Good News Kimcheon Church|language=ko|url=http://www.hdjongkyo.co.kr/m/content/view.html?section=22&category=1007&no=20192|access-date=12 November 2024|newspaper=Modern Religion|date=11 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Hyun Bin|title=김천대, 구원파 교육 본격화|trans-title=Kimcheon University Launches Salvation Sect Education Initiative|language=ko|url=http://www.hdjongkyo.co.kr/m/content/view.html?section=22&category=1007&no=20291|access-date=8 January 2025|newspaper=Modern Religion|date=7 January 2025}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Christianity|South Korea}}
* {{Official website|http://goodnewsmission.net/}}

{{Christianity in Korea}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Christian new religious movements]]