Below is content posted on the Naver Cafe Korean Church Victims Association:

[Content excerpted from the testimony of Pastor Kim Jung-wook, a former board member of the World Mission Society Church of God’s "Seven Elders." It sheds light on how Kim Joo-cheol manipulates his members, providing insight into his methods.]

General Assembly President,

Our church has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, founded upon the steadfast belief in apocalyptic teachings held by our members. From around 1990, in just two decades, our church’s development has been extraordinary. What began with only rented facilities and a focus on the heavenly kingdom has now expanded to include the Jerusalem Temple in Imae-dong, Bundang, the General Assembly building in Sunae-dong, Elohim Training Center, and Okcheon Training Center, as well as numerous church-owned buildings across major cities.

Our membership exceeded 200,000 attendees, with 1.7 million baptized members worldwide. The church now operates over 2,000 branches in more than 100 countries. Annual offerings are estimated to exceed 200 billion KRW, and the church’s real estate assets amount to trillions of KRW.

This extraordinary growth seems unparalleled in religious history, and the General Assembly has managed this significant divine work admirably. I believed all these accomplishments from 1985, following Ahn Sahng-hong’s ascension, until 2012, were the fulfillment of God’s prophecy and His work, supported by Mother Zhang Gil-ja as your mentor. These achievements were made possible by the blood, sweat, and sacrifices of pastors and members alike, motivated by the understanding of the spiritual Mother, the zeal to enter the glory of the 144,000, and faith in the 2012 prophecy of temple completion. Of course, your sermons served as a central driving force behind this unity.

The "One-for-Four" Movement: A Highlight of Leadership

I cannot forget your notable leadership in the "One-for-Four" movement, initiated around 1995. At that time, there were fewer than 50,000 baptized members. Your sermons, emphasizing that if each member brought just four new members to baptism, we could achieve 144,000, inspired us all. Your conviction that we could complete the last gospel work within the year and enter heaven was deeply moving. This led to a doubling of membership and remarkable growth for the church.

However, when the baptized membership surpassed 140,000, your sermons began to shift. The goal was redefined, moving from baptized numbers to those who observed the Passover. Later, it changed to those attending Sabbath services, and finally to those who attended services at least four times monthly. Despite these shifting goals, members did not question them, as the 2012 prophecy loomed large, much like the inexorable passage of time.

Rising Doubts Around the 2012 Prophecy

By the early 2000s, aspects of your sermons and church policies began to deviate from what members understood. The contradictions raised questions about your true stance on the 144,000 and the 2012 prophecy.

In 2009, a pastor called you to ask whether it was acceptable to preach about the 2012 prophecy of Ahn Sahng-hong in connection with temple construction. At the time, the 2008 blockbuster movie 2012 was gaining widespread popularity, and church leaders were organizing group viewings for all members, which many perceived as a way of endorsing the prophecy. However, you reportedly rebuked the pastor, insisting that the prophecy should not be publicly preached. You justified this by saying it was not due to disbelief in the prophecy but to avoid unnecessary external criticism and persecution, while focusing on saving more souls.

Aftermath of the 2012 Prophecy’s Failure

When nothing occurred in 2012, disappointment spread among members. By May 2013, many were disillusioned by the inconsistency between your teachings and actions. The prophecy regarding the completion of the heavenly Jerusalem temple had been pivotal in uniting members and driving the church’s growth. However, your response—blaming members’ insufficient faith and character—has caused widespread disillusionment, as it shifts all responsibility onto the congregation.

Source: Naver Blog - Cheongkim