WMSCOG Newsweek Feature: Love Your Neighbors with Mother’s Heart

“The word Mother brings us a common sentiment, and it is another name for love. The Church of God resolves to give peace and warmth to all people who need a mother’s love, and gives hope to the whole world as a church that works in our daily lives. The church members say that their view on life has changed as they received the gospel of the new covenant. At their steps that change even their neighbors, many governments including the U.S. express their gratitude to the Church of God.”

Jung Hyun Seo wrote the third piece of her May 16, 2016 Newsweek Korea feature on the love the World Mission Society Church of God has for its neighbors. She describes in detail that the members of the Church of God are able to accomplish so much for our community because we try to resemble Heavenly Mother’s heart.

“The Church of God members learn how to consider others better than themselves.”

Heavenly Mother gave us a set of teachings to help us be exemplary citizens in society. These 13 teachings guide us closer to understanding the heart of Heavenly Mother and they serve as a foundation for our lives. We try our best to put these teachings into practice in our everyday lives and it especially shows through our volunteer efforts.

“Such volunteer services are moving the world. ‘In Germany where volunteer service is inactive, many people show their interest in our environmental cleanups. Some encouraged us, saying that they used to drop litter but would never do that again. I’m happy and thankful to have a good influence on others through our activities,’ Kai Hertting (45), a German members said about local people’s reaction to their volunteer service.”

Saving Lives Through Blood Drives

“One of the major volunteer services by the Church of God is blood drive[s]. All the church members around the world roll up their sleeves to save patients whose lives are in danger due to blood shortage. In August last year, the members in the U.S. held [a] blood drive on a large scale in New York, and a record number of 1,414 people out of 1,630 participants could successfully donate their blood. As the church has steadily held blood drives, blood centers in various parts of the States constantly ask for blood donation[s]. […] This year, more than 30,000 members took part in the worldwide blood drive held to celebrate the Passover.”

Giving Hope Through Disaster Relief Efforts

“They also take the lead in disaster relief efforts. In the U.S., the members helped the victims of hurricanes, tornados, heavy snow, and floods.”

Click to read more about the Church of God’s efforts following Hurricane Sandy’s destruction on the East Coast of the United States.

“[..] In April last year, the church provided the [Nepal] earthquake victims with about 100 million Korean won (90,000 USD) worth of relief goods such as tents, bottled water, food, and daily necessities; and 150,000 man-days from the church carried out relief and recovery work in 700 damaged areas. The members’ volunteer services did not stop even […] a year after the tragedy. They proceeded with the project, ‘Mother’s School,’ which was to reconstruct fallen school buildings for the primary school students in Sindhupalchok, the most damaged district by the earthquake. They put up a new strong school building with four classrooms and donated school supplies.”

Healing Broken Hearts Through Art & Music

“Among the volunteer services for [the] community held y the Church of God, we cannot leave out the Messiah Orchestra Concert and ‘Our Mother’ Writing & Photo Exhibition.”

Not only does the Church of God carry out volunteer efforts by donating blood, being first responders or even picking up litter from the streets, but Seo explains that the Church of God also serves neighbors through art and music. The Church of God has held several concerts, including Concerts for Foreigners in Korea, Charity Concert to Help Earthquake Victims in Thailand, and many more.

The Church of God in Korea also hosted the “Our Mother” Writing & Photo Exhibition to display the immeasurable love and sacrifice of mothers. In Korea alone, the Exhibition received more than half a million visitors over the past three years. Seo explains:

“In April last year, Edith C. Escama Vice Mayor of Real, Quezon, Philippines, visited the Church of God in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, to see the exhibition, and recalled, ‘All the works were very moving, and I was reminded of my mother while looking around the works. I hope this exhibition will be held in the Philippines, too.'”

The Exhibition was also held in Chile and in New York City, the Church of God is hosting the exhibition as “Mother’s Love Art Gallery. After launching in November 2015, the Gallery has received thousands of visitors, who have been moved to tears as they realize the love and sacrifice of our mothers. Mother’s Love Art Gallery was awarded a Citation from Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Seo quotes him saying, “I thank you for allowing the Gallery to positively impact the lives of others in our great borough and beyond.”

Click to read more about Mother’s Love Art Gallery in New York City.

The Church of God has positively impacted the lives of millions of people around the world through its numerous community service activities. In every region the Church of God is located, its members are attentive to the needs of that. And numerous governments across the globe – whether local or national – have recognized the achievements of the Church of God.