The Church of God’s Community Service Activities: Difference between revisions

The activities performed by the Church of God are broad, including emergency relief, poverty and hunger alleviation, health and hygiene support, water and sanitation, promoting well-being, educational support, environmental preservation and other areas. Recently, the church has been making more efforts to support pandemic prevention as the world has been suffering from COVID-19. These activities are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs], a list of common goals to support the international community.<ref>[https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/ 17 Goals to Transform Our World], SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS, ''UN''</ref> The SDGs are the agenda that the international community has resolved to achieve by 2030 at the UN General Assembly. It is composed of 17 goals and 169 targets for the sustainable development of humankind under the slogan “'''Leave No One Behind'''.”<ref>[https://www.un.org/en/desa/leaving-no-one-behind Leaving no one behind], ''United Nations''</ref> The Church of God is working together to achieve the UN SDGs by carrying out various activities in each country. For this, the church plans forums, seminars, and signature-seeking campaigns and draws people into participation and raise their awareness.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://asez.org/summit2019/ |title=ASEZ Global Summit 2019: A Quantum Leap for Change towards Zero Crime|website=ASEZ.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>[https://asez.org/sign-asez/ ASEZ Proposal for UN SDGs], ''ASEZ.org''</ref>

The Churches of God around the world make efforts to save people’s lives in the event of accidents and various disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, and heavy snow. The church set up a free meal camp for those who were grieving at the time of the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014 and kept the camp until the end. They not only took care of the victims’ families, but also public officials, volunteers, and media workers by providing meals for 15,000 people for 44 days.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Culture/article/all/20160713/79165977/1 |title=[World Mission Society Church of God] They were there where pain was |website=The DongA Ilbo |publisher=  |date=July 14, 2016 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> When a great earthquake struck Nepal in 2015, the church members took the lead in lifesaving and recovery efforts, risking the aftershocks, and delivered food by helicopter 14 times to isolated residents in high areas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://woman.donga.com/3/all/12/2409706/1 |title=Warm Support to Overcome COVID-19, Making Brighter Future in Global Community |website=Woman DongA |publisher=  |date=February 1, 2021 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>As a school was destroyed by the earthquake, the Church of God reconstructed the school building through the Mother’s School Campaign for the students who were continuing their studies in temporary tent classrooms. In July 2015, the Church signed an MOU with the Ministry of Education of Nepal for the reconstruction of schools damaged by the earthquakes and established Mother’s Schools I and II in Sindhupalchowk and Kavre respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/social/content.asp?idx=45059&page=2 |title=Completion Ceremony for Shree Bhawani Primary School Building in Nepal |website=English WATV.org |publisher=  |date=November 28, 2016 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>

{{quote |When we were in a very difficult situation due to the earthquake, the Church of God came to the site of the earthquake earlier than the government of Nepal and any other organizations and set up a school. I am happy thanks to the Church of God’s support and love for the students and their parents.|Rudra Hari Bhandari, Head of Education Dept. in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal  <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/839335/1 |title=Humanitarian Work Came From Mother’s Heart |website=Shindonga |publisher= |date=February 2, 2017|year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>}}

One of the representative activities for health and hygiene that the Church of God is carrying out is blood drives to save lives. So far, more than 1,000 blood drives have been held; approximately 203,100 people participated and 85,700 participants successfully donated blood. Considering that one person’s blood donation saves the lives of three people, it is equivalent to saving the lives of 255,700 people. This activity clarified myths and brought awareness in each country about the importance of donating blood and helped support the blood supply shortage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/blood-donation-relay/ |title=‘Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover’ Was Held Over 1,000 Times |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date=June 20, 2021 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>In addition, former and current medical workers in Mexico, Ecuador, and Colombia visited vulnerable communities in disaster-stricken areas to provide them with dental treatment, medical procedures, emergency treatment, comprehensive checkups, prescriptions, and other medical support. The church is carrying out various activities for the health of people around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/news/content.asp?idx=11673&page=2&menu=O |title=The Church of God in Mexico City, Mexico, carried out a volunteer medical service with the "love of Mother" |website= English WATV.org |publisher=  |date=July 8, 2012 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.watv.org/over/content.asp?articleid=o20121223569 |title=Healing Even the Hearts of Local People with Love |website= WATV NEWS |publisher=  |date=December 23, 2012 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.watv.org/over/content.asp?articleid=o20121227209 |title=Sharing Medical Heart with Mother's Love |website= WATV NEWS |publisher=  |date=December 27, 2012 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.watv.org/over/content.asp?articleid=o20121230125 |title=For Those Who Need Mother's Love |website=WATV NEWS |publisher=  |date=December 30, 2012 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

In Korea, the church urgently donated 30,000 face masks (KF94) to Daegu city, which was declared a special disaster area, and donated 230 million KRW to Korea Disaster Relief Association for disease prevention.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://monthly.chosun.com/client/mdaily/daily_view.asp?idx=12251&Newsnumb=20210412251 |title=Church of God Supports and Gives Hope for "Global Family" in Africa |website= |publisher=Monthly Chosun  |date=April 14, 2021 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> In Mongolia, the church donated 18,000 face masks to the Ministry of Health and fire stations, and gave donations and food to local governments for people in need. The church delivered 966 sets of encouragement gifts to medical institutions and government offices, 657 sets of groceries to vulnerable communities in Argentina, and provided 160 temporary lavatory facilities and disposable towels to 77 public schools in Ghana. In Venezuela, church members walked 5 kilometers to donate water to people suffering from water shortages amid severe economic difficulties. [[ASEZ|ASEZ University Student Volunteer Group]] and [[ASEZ WAO (Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group)|ASEZ WAO Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group]] of the Church of God encouraged medical staff and public officials, who are on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention, by delivering handwritten, heartfelt letters and snacks to them through the Cheer Up Campaign and the [[The Heart-to-Heart Campaign|Heart-to-Heart Campaign]]. They also provided vulnerable communities with face masks, daily necessities, and living expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.donga.com/news/Economy/article/all/20200709/101892556/2 |title=Church of God's Active Support for COVID-19 Masks Across Korea |website=The DongA Ilbo |publisher=  |date=July 9, 2020 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/news/culture/view/2020/07/679175/ |title=Church of God Supports with COVID-19 Response in Peru, Venezuela, Nepal and Other Countries |website=Maeil Business Newspaper |publisher=  |date=July 2, 2020 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/3114766/1 |title=3.3 Million Church of God Members Talk About the ‘Path of Hope in Our Global Village' |website=Shindonga |publisher=  |date=January 3, 2022 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/23909933#home |title=Church of God Donated 30 Million KRW as 2nd Donation to Hope Bridge to Overcome COVID-19 |website=JoongAng Sunday |publisher=  |date=November 2, 2020 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>

The church also contributes to improving sanitation which worsens due to severe water shortages worldwide. The Church of God installed nine water pumps in Cambodia for those who were suffering from water-borne diseases due to insufficient drinking water caused by drought or environmental pollution.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.watv.org/over/content.asp?articleid=o20121231142 |title=Donated 9 Water Pumps to Cambodia Kandal’s Region with Water Shortage |website= WATV NEWS |publisher=  |date=December 31, 2012 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>

The Church of God provides support for growing children and adolescents such as donating school supplies, rebuilding disaster-stricken schools, and improving school facilities. The church also provides opportunities for foreign students to experience Korean culture, including Hangeul (Korean language) education.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://english.watv.org/social/content.asp?idx=41263&page=3 |title=Building Completion Ceremony of Shree Primary School in Nepal |website= English WATV.org |publisher=  |date=March 2, 2016 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> By organizing events for students such as character education and volunteer activities with their parents and friends, the church helps them build up their character and improve their social skills.<ref name="신동아 2019. 6.">{{Cite web |url=https://shindonga.donga.com/3/all/13/1752139/1 |title=World Mission Society Church of God Opens the Age of 3 Million Saints on 55th Anniversary |website=Shindonga |publisher=  |date=June 7, 2019 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

The Church of God’s activities transcend national boundaries, race, language, and culture and have contributed to the friendship and unity of people around the world. The church organized Aurah Supporters to carry out activities such as cheering for each country’s athletes, interpreting, and welcoming them to and from the country at international competitions such as the Busan Asian Games, the Busan FESPIC Games, the Universiades in Daegu and Gwangju, and the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup, contributing to the success of the competitions. The activities of sharing warmth and love across national borders became an example of transnational peace and unity. In addition, the church supported various international events, expanding cultural exchanges, and helping to achieve communication and harmony between countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://weekly.donga.com/3/all/11/1247154/1 |title=Setting an Example for the World with Humanitarian Work |website=Weekly Donga |publisher=  |date=March 13, 2018 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>

The Church of God has carried out environmental cleanups more than 9,000 times in many regions and countries to preserve the global environment. The church has had more than 790,000 people participate, contributing to raising a sense of global community and awareness of environmental protection. ASEZ WAO, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, carried out the [[The No More GPGP Campaign (Reducing Plastic Use)|No More GPGP (Reducing Plastic Use) Campaign]] around the world, and it was also introduced as the participation of civil society in the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit, and received attention from all walks of life.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://jmagazine.joins.com/monthly/view/334213 |title=[Religious Topic] Church of God Young Adults Call Themselves as "Enivronmental Evangelists" with Confidence |website= |publisher=Monthly JoongAng  |date=June 17, 2021|year= |author= |author링크= |author2= |author링크2= |쪽= |series= |언어= |번역title= |issn= |quote= }}</ref>  

{{quote |The Church of God has helped the underprivileged, given joy to the elderly in many nursing homes, and opened a new chapter by improving the urban environment. This group (the Church of God) truly engenders happiness.|Paul Denby, an examiner when the Church of God received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the U.K.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://monthly.chosun.com/client/mdaily/daily_view.asp?Idx=7661&Newsnumb=2019087661 |title=“Mother’s Heart,” The Secret of Global Communication  |website=Monthly Chosun |publisher=  |date=August 14, 2019|year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref>}}

The Church of God has been carrying out regular activities in various fields such as environmental protection and disaster relief in cooperation with governments, local authorities, organizations, and people from all walks of life for the bright future of the global village. At the 2018 ASEZ Climate Change Response Conference, Duberli Rodriguez Tineo, who served as the Supreme Judge of the Judicial Power in Peru, visited Korea and gave a lecture. In June 2019, futurist Jerome C. Glenn, the CEO of The Millennium Project, attended the ASEZ Conference and discussed the sustainable future with university students.<ref name="신동아 2019. 6." /> Jerome Glenn promised to give generous support and feedback by promoting the activities of ASEZ members online.<ref>[https://asez.org/jerome1st-2/ ASEZ Conference with Jerome C. Glenn], ''ASEZ.org'', May 19, 2019</ref><br>More than 57,000 people from many different fields, including Ban Ki-moon the former UN Secretary-General, and Robert Huber the Nobel laureate in Chemistry agreed to support and cheer on the volunteer activities of the Church of God young adults.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://weekly.donga.com/3/all/11/1948497/1 |title=A Step to World’s Happiness for Family, Neighbors, and Whole Mankind |website=Weekly DongA |publisher=  |date=January 16, 2020 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref> ASEZ is carrying out environmental protection activities in cooperation with government agencies and local governments in 168 countries and with 226 civic groups and international organizations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news4trafford.co.uk/2021/11/17/church-group-that-cleans-up-old-trafford-wins-international-environmental-award/ |title=Church group that cleans up Old Trafford wins International Environmental Award |website= |publisher=News4Trafford  |date=November 17, 2021 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>

The Church of God has received more than 3,300 awards, including the order of merit, citations, and certificates of appreciation from many countries in recognition of its wide range of social contributions. The church received the Presidential Group Citation, Medal of Merit, and Presidential Citation from three governments of the Republic of Korea and received The President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold: highest honor for a group) 48 times from the U.S. In 2016, the Church of God in the U.K. received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, which was unusual for a religious group, which gained attention from the media at home and abroad. The Church of God has also won The Green World Award and The Green Apple Award, international environmental awards, for carrying out environmental protection activities around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2021/11/135_319380.html |title=Church of God members win Int'l environmental awards |website=The Korea Times |publisher=  |date=November 24, 2021 |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote=}}</ref><br>Local governments such as the Atlanta City Council in the U.S., Municipality of Huancayo in Peru, and Municipality of Esmeraldas in Ecuador issued proclamations or resolutions commending the activities of the Church of God. The cities of Denver, San Diego, and Charlotte in the U.S. have established anniversaries related to the Church of God to raise members’ spirits and encourage citizens to participate in volunteer service.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://watv.org/award/#:~:text=Proclamation%20of%20the,its%20volunteer%20services. |title=Proclamation of the Church of God Day |website=WATV.org |publisher=  |date= |year= |author= |쪽= |series= |isbn= |quote= }}</ref><br>