1. The Founding of Ahn Sahng-hong and the First Turning Point

The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) was founded by Ahn Sahng-hong in Busan in 1964. Ahn, a former Seventh-day Adventist, broke away to develop his own doctrines. In 1971, he predicted the end of the world—a prophecy that failed and sparked accusations of him being a false prophet.

2. Eom Su-in — The Origin of the 'Mother God' Doctrine

In 1978, a follower named Eom Su-in published God Who Came in the Flesh, proclaiming Ahn Sahng-hong as the Second Coming of Jesus and herself as “God the Mother.” Ahn officially acknowledged the doctrine that identified him as the Second Coming, but rejected the elevation of Eom as God the Mother. Eom continued to persuade followers to believe in her, but in 1983, Ahn publicly denounced the idea of a female God as “madness” and officially expelled Eom from the church.

3. The Rise of Jang Gil-ja and Internal Power Shifts

Jang Gil-ja, born in 1943, joined the church with her husband, Mr. Kim. After divorcing him in 1983, she secretly married Ahn Sahng-hong on May 18, 1984. After Ahn’s death, Jang leveraged their secret marriage to claim she was the “true bride,” consolidating power within the church.

4. Division After Ahn Sahng-hong’s Death

When Ahn died of a stroke in 1985, Jang Gil-ja and Kim Joo-cheol emerged as new leaders by promoting the “God the Mother” doctrine. Existing members, particularly those from Busan, resisted, but tensions were temporarily eased after Kim Joo-cheol signed a pledge not to idolize Jang Gil-ja. However, a new church was soon established in Dapsimni, Seoul, and the denomination split entirely.

5. Factions, Controversy, and the Current Reality

After Ahn’s death, various factions arose in Busan, Seoul, and Songpa. The World Mission Society Church of God, led by Jang Gil-ja and Kim Joo-cheol, elevated Jang as “God the Mother” and remains active to this day. Issues such as forged pledges, doctrinal corruption, and the idolization of Jang Gil-ja have continually surfaced, leaving a legacy of internal conflict and scandal.

6. Church Faction Chart (Summary)

7. Conclusion

Since its founding, the World Mission Society Church of God has been plagued by doctrinal disputes and power struggles. The death of its leader and subsequent schisms have resulted in multiple denominations, each with their own doctrines and leaders, continuing the cycle of confusion and conflict to this day. Outwardly, the church emphasizes service and expansion, projecting a glamorous image, but internally it is beset by relentless turmoil and disputes. Ultimately, all that remains in this church’s history is chaos and conflict.