ⓒ 2004 WATV

Under the long awaited gentle rain, the 43rd Annual Gyeongnam Sports Festival On May 20, the members of Zion celebrated the Ascension Day with excitement in the open air. As trees get green. the members' hope for heaven is colored deep in their hearts.

Christ showed us an example of ascension so that we might have the hope of ascension. He ascended on the Mount of Olive on the 40th day after He rose from death. On the Ascension Day, heavenly children are allowed to worship and praise God the Creator and Redeemer in the great nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

On the Ascension Day, the members around Seongnam city including the members of the New Jerusalem Temple gathered at the Hwangseoul Park and celebrated the day. Every face was filled with delight and thanks to God.

ⓒ 2004 WATV

Blessing the members with the Holy Spirit, Mother prayed heavenly children might cherish the hope for ascension and always delight in God's salvation and practice His will with mature faith. And She also requested them to deliver their heavenly hope and love to the world's people suffering in the age when all ethics and morals have fallen and love of most has grown cool.

Rev. Joo Cheol Kim emphasized that Christ requested us to preach and pray, just before He went up to heaven. "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This word became the guidepost of the early Church' apostles and they did not stop preaching anywhere and the Holy Spirit worked through their earnest prayers, so that the Church was revived greatly, said the Rev. Kim. Bearing the last request of Christ in mind again, the members were determined to spread the new covenant to the whole world.

ⓒ 2004 WATV

After the morning worship service, the members shared food and enjoyed their unity through sports games. Without being one, no one could win the games. From children to the aged, all the members became one.

Mother was very pleased to see their brotherhood and told them once again to seek for the lost heavenly brothers and sisters like the Apostle Paul did.

This reporter hope all members do not stop preaching and praying as Pauls in this last age, so that the gospel may be spread to the peoples of all nations, by the power of the Holy Spirit seven times hotter than that of the early Church.