Service at the church has been observed by visiting foreigners but it is debated whether the attendees present consisted of "Genuine Christians".

The church was built to showcase freedom of religion in North Korea,[3] amid international pressure concerning the issue.

[8] In 1992, when Kang Yong-sop, who acted as the chairman of the Korean Christian Federation, oversaw the church, Billy Graham paid a visit there to preach.

[5] South Korean pastor Soh Kyung-suk describes his observations during visits: "There were little signs of spontaneity during a service.

I also found no child in attendance and no Bible study groups there, and we were even banned from talking to North Korean service participants ... What was most startling was that church officials didn't even know any hymns at all.

"[5] Bradley K. Martin, author of Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader, also described his visit to the church.

Churchgoers, according to Martin, were not Workers' Party of Korea members and all of them had removed their Kim Il-sung lapel pins.

[8] The church is staffed by a head minister, a vicar, eight elders, five deacons and fourteen deaconesses.