More Service to Brethren and Fellowmen, Highlight of MCGI’s 3-Day International Thanksgiving to God 

Apalit, Pampanga –New Bible-based studies, heightened welfare services to all, and consultation with Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon served as high points of the second quarter International Thanksgiving to God of the Members Church of God International last July 5-6 this year.

The international event was joined by more than 1,360 remote points in the Philippines alone. Members abroad, including brethren who are natives of Latin and Central America, were also connected via satellite and internet facilities.

Heightened Service to Brethren and Visitors

Following last quarter’s historic Thanksgiving set in South America, this quarter’s International Thanksgiving to God continued the 50th year celebration of Bro. Eli’s service to God. In line with this, new and intensified services were rendered to ITG attendees.

To attend to the spiritual needs of the brethren, the regular consultation hours assigned per International Thanksgiving were also reformatted. An initiative introduced by Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel as part of Thanksgiving program, the consultation sessions gives members the opportunity to ask the MCGI Leaders to ask questions and air their sentiments.

This ITG, the consultation activity featured Bro. Daniel venturing into the crowd of thousands upon thousands gathered at the ADD Convention Center in Apalit, Pampanga instead of letting members queue to ask their preachers.

The Vice-Presiding Minister was also aided by the Katulong ng Pangangasiwa (Helpers of the Ministry) in seeking out from the crowd those who need counsel.

Aside from tending to the brethren’s spiritual concerns, the Church leaders also emphasized on addressing the attendees’ health necessities.

The ADD Infirmary and Alternative Clinic housed volunteer doctors and medical specialists who devoted most of their break hours to attend to the needs of brethren and visitors alike giving free health and dental checkups and medical services.

Visitors and guests were also welcomed and accommodated during the three-day gathering. To accommodate guests, the ADD Compound houses a Transient Home for visitors and brethren alike who do not have lodging during the three-day event.

Aside from this, Bro. Soriano makes sure that those without money to buy food be given free meals, not just during the three-day event but also during regular Thanksgiving to God events held every Saturday.

Visitors from Different Sectors

The members of the Golden Gays community graced the three-day activity to personally express their gratitude to Bro. Eli for providing a new home for the elderly gay community.

In partnership with UNTV and the Happy Christian gay group of the Church, the MCGI has relocated the adoption home for the Golden Gays from Pasay to a bigger area in Novaliches, Quezon City.

In the reformatted consultation, they also lauded Bro. Eli’s wise answer to their sensitive question regarding whether members of the LGBT community can go to heaven.

(Written by Yanna-Faye Ferrera)