MCGI Launches Free College Project

“It is more excellent, my countrymen, brethren, scholars, that you also learn the Word of God that we have learned which made this institution possible.”

This was the challenge of Members Church of God International Presiding Minister Bro. Eli Soriano in his brief speech at the inaugural of the Caloocan branch of the La Verdad Christian College.

The inaugural of the newest educational branch is a significant realization of MCGI’s continuous humanitarian service efforts, aside from mainly spreading the Gospel throughout the world. The latest endeavor is consistent with the Church’s aim to spread goodwill to all, regardless of creed or religion.

It can be remembered that in August 2009, Bro. Eli Soriano expressed his desire to put up a school that would help poor youths acquire college education and eventually get a decent job. “Youths will have the opportunity to hone their skills and be assets, not liabilities to the country,” Bro. Soriano said.

In his speech, Bro. Eli mentioned countless sacrifices he and Bro. Daniel had to go through to push the project. He hopes that the “students who will benefit from the project will make sincere efforts also.”

Bro. Eli has faith that through proper education, which he considers a good foundation for the children, the underprivileged Filipino youths could enjoy free education and that the intelligent Filipino race will not end up as miserable domestic helpers of other people.

Bro. Soriano further explained that free basic education is useless if one cannot pursue college. He regrets to hear of parents who have worked hard for the education of their children whose skills learned in elementary and highschool were wasted away because most could not avail of higher education.

“We have spent much to establish this school, and much is to be spent still to sustain it. But we do not look at the amount, just as it is written in the Bible. Money answers for many things. [But] Money is no god. Money should not be loved. [Yet] It is a sign of those who profess they are of God to understand the needs of their poor fellows, as we can read on I John 3:17 that if you see your brother in need and you have something to share but you shut up your mercy, how will the love of God dwell in you?

“So for God’s love to dwell in a man he must have the ability to understand the needs even of those who do not ask. That is why Bro. Daniel and I thought of helping deserving students who could pass the [entrance] exam and enjoy free college education, which includes free meals. None asked this of us. This is our mandate from knowing the truth in the Bible. Students do not owe this to us. They owe it to God.”

Bro. Daniel Razon, President of the La Verdad College, plans for the expansion of the school to a full-fledged university in the near future.

(Written by: Cecile Vizcaya)