‘Apocalyptic Christian cult’ Shincheonji using ‘special force teams’ to spread across the country

Published January 16, 2026 By admin

A former follower of a fringe Christian organisation says “special force teams” are recruiting members in Ballarat, Bendigo, Darwin, Geelong and Melbourne to expand its church’s reach.

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has been described as an “apocalyptic Christian cult”, with the ABC previously uncovering members being brainwashed, spending as much time as possible recruiting others out of fear and the belief that they are doing God’s work.

Followers believe Jesus’s return is imminent and that only true believers who have heard God’s word through the group’s founder, 94-year-old Lee Man-hee, will be saved from the apocalypse.

Shincheonji is growing, with its website claiming to have churches in more than 100 countries and a congregation of more than 300,000 members.

Cassie, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, left Shincheonji four months ago after being a member for almost three years.

Read more https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-16/apocalyptic-christian-cult-shincheonji-spreads-across-australia/106202480

Content retrieved from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-16/apocalyptic-christian-cult-shincheonji-spreads-across-australia/106202480.