South Korean religious leader
Zahng Gil-jah (Korean: 장길자; also romanized as Chang Gil-jah) is the religious leader, as God the Mother, of the World Mission Society Church of God,[1][2][3] and the honorary chairperson of the International WeLoveU Foundation, a social welfare organization.[4][5][6]
Religious activity
The World Mission Society Church of God, a Korean new religious movement, teaches that Zahng and Ahn Sahng-Hong (1918–1985), a South Korean Christian minister regarded by his followers as Christ, are to be jointly regarded as God. Church members may call her "God the Mother", "Mother Jerusalem", "New Jerusalem Mother", "Heavenly Mother", or simply "Mother".[7] Her followers believe she has fulfilled all prophecies of the Bible.[1]
In 1985, following the sudden death of Ahn Sahng-Hong, 11 out of the 13 churches of the Church of God agreed to recognize both Ahn and Zahng as God. The two congregations that refused became the New Covenant Passover Church of God.[8] Despite her status in her church, Zahng's media outlets—such as her YouTube page—tend not to reference the claim in their content.[9] Instead, they focus on her activities as chairwoman of her foundation.
The Korean Christian community has generally agreed that the teachings of Ahn and Zahng go against Christian beliefs.[10] Members of the Witnesses of Ahn Sahng-Hong have been known to visit college campuses in the U.S., often without permission, and approach students with their teachings about Zahng being "God the Mother".[11] The Ahn Sahng-Hong movement is sometimes thought of as a religious cult.[12]
Social activities
In addition to her status in the World Mission Society Church of God, Zahng is the chairperson of the International WeLoveU Foundation, which changed its name from New Life Welfare Foundation in 2007.[13][14][15]
In spite of her involvement with the Ahn Sahng-Hong movement, Zahng has met with high-ranking political leaders, including Gabonese president Ali Bongo and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.[16][17]
See also
References
