Hosts of Nations Display Force on Day 1 at MCGI’s 3-day Thanksgiving

Forty-six countries and 130 Church chapters worldwide have assembled for the Fourth Quarter International Thanksgiving of Members Church of God, International which begins this 24th and culminates on the 26th of December this year.

Nations from the Middle East, Far East Asia, South East Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and large countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Oceania, and other island nations have gathered for one of the biggest and most-attended religious services in the world today.

Through live streaming, the MCGI members from the foreign pool of countries participated in the thanksgiving ceremonies with those in the Philippines, the host country, where the bulk of members are. Attendees included the more than 5,000 new souls who were recently added to the fold in the final quarter of 2010.

In his welcome address made on the first day of thanksgiving, Bro. Eli Soriano reported that in South America, there are now 15 local chapters established, home to pure Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking brethren. The Presiding Minister to the MCGI said these are former members of charismatic Protestant groups for quite a long time. They are the first fruits of the ministry in Latin America when Bro. Eli was forced to leave the country in 2005 due to persistent persecution against him and the organization.

Bro. Soriano has high hopes that sooner, more baptisms will follow and additional locales will be established, particularly in Uruguay to as far as India where he has many avid viewers to his religious programs. His 24/7 broadcasts, live streaming forums, and Bible Expositions continue to penetrate the mainstream scene in the religious arena and reap souls eventually.

Invitations to come to India and other countries where his broadcasts reach persistently flow through his Twitter page and e-mail.

Beginning with the first day, thanksgiving greetings have been heard and exchanged in all locale chapters or coordinating centers which were filled to the brim with members, guests, and observers alike.

An overwhelming number of praise songs, dances, and comprehensive discussions of mysteries in the Bible will dot the second and concluding days of the thanksgiving week.

Ten topics had been prepared according to Bro. Eli, but for the 3-day event, only six topics will be delivered to accommodate other thanksgiving numbers.

(Written by: Cecile Vizcaya)