December 29, 2017
Ang Dating Daan Turns 37: Why Does MCGI Do All of Its Public Services?
“Why are you doing this help to other people, even to those who are non-members of the Members Church of God International (MCGI)?”
An elderly Muslim woman from Singapore asked the said question to Bro. Eli Soriano during the Worldwide Bible Exposition of MCGI, one of the key events marking the 37th anniversary in broadcasting of the religious program, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), on December 15th of this year.
Bro. Eli then read the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ written in Luke 6:35 and 1 John 3:18 about loving one’s enemies and showing it not in words but by deeds, respectively.
“This love is not of us. It comes from our faith in our God who told us to love all people and to do all good to all people in every opportunity we have. (Gal. 6:10)”
After his answer, Rajimalama Binted Abdhula said to Bro. Eli, “Thank you so much.” The 61-year old is one of the regular recipients of the elder care program that MCGI has in Southeast Asia as well in countries from the Philippines to Brazil.
An International Effort
While many usually associate MCGI with its flagship radio-television show, for the many people whose lives it touches daily, the Church is also known for its various charity works all-year round:
- A tuition-free college with meals, books and uniforms through La Verdad Christian College in Apalit, Pampanga and in Caloocan City
- Free bus rides for daily commuters, and even ship and airfares for distressed fellowmen in other countries
- Feeding programs that last from weeks to months
- Quarterly blood donation drives nationwide and abroad
- Cleanup drives in parks, beaches and rivers
- Tree-planting activities in denuded forests
The main bulk of MCGI’s regular charities are in its home country, but the programs extend to parts of Asia, Africa, South America, North America, Europe, and Australia.
Coinciding with the anniversary theme of the longest-running religious program in the Philippines — “God’s Word Revealed in Good Works” — MCGI dedicated an extra string of charities in service to God and the people. Among the said services were:
- MCGI youth volunteer to help homeless in Chicago
- Gift-giving for homeless in Melbourne, Australia
- Handing winter coats to Syrian refugees in Ontario, Canada
- Feeding and livelihood programs in Batangas
- Feeding activity for persons with Disability in Zamboanga
- Medical mission in Cainta, Rizal
- Medical and dental services in Davao
- Medical mission in Apalit, Pampanga
- Free services for those living under bridges in Bacolod City
- Free rides and medical mission in Silang, Cavite
- Senior citizens receive free services in Pasig City
The La Verdad Auditorium and Diagnostics Center
On the same day, MCGI also held the opening ceremony of the La Verdad Auditorium.
It is the newest facility of the La Verdad Christian College Pampanga, the college established by Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel to give poor but deserving youths full scholarship grants, including free meals, lodging and books.
The auditorium served as one of the venues of the Bible Exposition on the night of the anniversary. As it regularly does on Fridays, the live biblical symposium entertained questions from guests in remote points connected via MCGI’s internet and satellite systems.
Public officials from four different countries also sent their questions to Bro. Eli, tackling various areas of concern like the solution to the global terrorism problem and how to ensure that the poor aren’t left behind during nation-building.
Amongst its different forms of public services however, MCGI considers spreading the good news of salvation its foremost priority, taking to heart the words of the Lord in Matthew 28:19-20 as basis.
In truth, it has been the only religious group from the Philippines that has 24/7 global broadcasts via satellite in different languages.
MCGI also unveiled the La Verdad Diagnostics Center in the Church’s Philippine headquarters in Apalit, Pampanga. It is equipped to help those needing laboratory tests be it blood analysis or full-body xrays.
As with the other public services of MCGI, the center is open to all, their race or religion.
Written by: Rigor Arellano
