Haere mai, Afio mai, Welcome! Here you can meet the team behind "Pathways" / Shincheonji New Zealand's bible studies, online classes and 1-to-1 mentoring sessions.
Not sure about your Instructor, Evangelist or Mentor's background or credentials? We’re a bunch of Kiwis with first-hand experience of Shincheonji in New Zealand. Contact us to find out without judgement or shame.
(Note: This page outlines information about the background of your Pathways Shincheonji Instructor, Evangelist or Mentor. For the real NZQA-accredited Pathways College run by followers of Jesus, visit here.)
Instructors and Evangelists
Each course offered by Pathways Shincheonji is facilitated by a SCJ member called an “Instructor” or “Evangelist”, and supported by other assistants. SCJ’s teaching staff change from time to time, but as of 2024 include the following members:
- Aimee (Auckland)
- Aleisha (Auckland)
- Alice (Auckland)
- Charlotte (Auckland)
- E K (Wellington)
- Grace
- Jade (current Trustee of Rakau O Te Ora Trust / Shincheonji NZ)
- Janice (Wellington)
- Joni (Auckland)
- Joy (Samoa)
- Katie (Auckland)
- Kirsty
- Kris
- Mark (founding Trustee of Rakau O Te Ora Trust / Shincheonji NZ)
- Ruta
- Sarah B
- Sarah V
- Siona / “Zion”
- Tahlita
- Ula (certification officer for Rakau O Te Ora Trust / Shincheonji NZ)
- Wendy (Auckland)
- Yunyee (Wellington)
To the best of our knowledge, none of these “theology instructors” or “evangelists” have any formal theological training from any accredited Bible College in New Zealand or elsewhere. Rather, their main “credentials” are that they personally completed Shincheonji’s program themselves as “fruit”, and have since been promoted within the organisation based on their loyalty and service to SCJ.
Jade is a Trustee of Rakau O Te Ora Trust, and shares his side of the story here.
Mark was a founding Trustee of Rakau O Te Ora Trust, and is asked to speak regularly at Shincheonji events.
Note: You can hear more about Mark’s life-changing story here.
Although Pathway SCJ instructors claim to have extensive understanding and knowledge of the Bible, former students share how they were primarily taught to read Bible passages out of context and apart from any genuine understanding of the original setting. This is despite Jesus Himself demonstrating that the right way to teach the Bible is to explain, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Pathways NZ’s use of lying and “wisdom” during the recruitment process is also deeply concerning, especially since the Bible teaches that “…we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Cor. 4:2)
Overall, Pathways Shincheonji’s various Bible courses are aimed at gradually convincing students to believe that only their founder Lee Man-Hee is the fulfilment of the prophecies in Revelation and elsewhere. In what they teach and how they do it, neither Pathways SCJ nor their instructors can reliably claim to be a light to your path.
Unsure about your "theology instructor", evangelist, Bible study leader or mentor? Our team can help you work out who they represent and what they teach. Contact us here.
Center heads
Shincheonji New Zealand, the group behind Pathways NZ’s free online bible studies, operates under a complicated structure with senior leadership assigned by its headquarters in South Korea. There are two “Centers” in NZ: Auckland and Wellington, with rented premises where weekly services are held.
The current Head of the New Zealand branch is Christie. She is supported by Jade R (Head of Auckland Centre) and E K (Head of Wellington Centre), whom you might see from time to time as Instructors for Pathways NZ’s problematic bible studies.
In other news
Occasionally, Shincheonji NZ members are instructed to appear on mainstream media. Here are some team members in action. Please contact us if you spot any other Pathways / Shincheonji NZ members in the media and we’d be happy to help spread the word.
Shincheonji members Ula, James and Joy appear on PMN Cook Islands for a guest spot to share their problematic interpretation of the Bible. (Source: Stuff NZ)