[CNN] Church and Foundation Support DSWD Relief Operation

 The World Mission Society Church of God and International WeLoveU Foundation are changing the meaning of ‘volunteerism’ and uniting people from all walks of life through Mother’s love. 
 The World Mission Society Church of God and International WeLoveU Foundation join hands for the first time and brought a total of more than 1,300 volunteers to support the relief operation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on November 27 and 28 at the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 
 People from all walks of life from different parts of the metro filled the NROC on November 27 at 10:10 AM for the opening ceremony of the joint effort of Church of God and WeLoveU Foundation. The ceremony was graced by DSWD Undersecretary Angelita Medel, Standards Bureau Director Thelssa Biolena, Major Rivera, and the overseer of the Church of God, Philippines, Pastor Choi Jeongmaan (Pastor James) joined by pastors from all over the metro, and project managers of WeLoveU Foundation.
 After a warm “We Love You!” welcome, Undersecretary Angelita Medel said, “When you pray together, you are bound to be heard. And I would like to believe that prayer is not only verbal prayer it is manifested and testified through your works and acts… You will repack and clean, that’s amazing! And you will also feed other volunteers and then on top of it, you do it in love and service of your God and our God… Thank you and I really wish you the best.” 
 Major Rivera oriented the volunteers after the heartwarming welcome remarks of Undersecretary Angelita Medel. After the ceremony, more than 600 volunteers were deployed to different warehouses at NROC to repack relief goods and clean the vicinity. Both the church and foundation provided food for all the 3,000 volunteers for this two-day volunteer stint. 
 When asked about why the Church of God conducts various environmental and social welfare activities, Pastor James explained, “The World Mission Society Church of God started in South Korea. We conduct volunteer activities around the world to share the love of our Heavenly Mother. We believe in God the Father and God the Mother. In our society, we cannot deny that people are yearning for a mother’s love. In fact, the word ‘mother’ itself gives us a warmth feeling, comfort, and love. When a child is hurt, the first person he calls is his mother. Everybody needs the love of their mothers on this Earth, spiritually it’s the same, every soul needs the love of Heavenly Mother.” 
 “The church tied up with the foundation since their goal is also to share a mother’s love. The International WeLoveU Foundation started also in South Korea. In this age of globalization, where most people forget to lend a helping hand in a dire economy, the foundation wanted to stretch-out a loving hand to those who are in pain. And the only way to ease that pain is through a warm heart filled with the love of a mother,” adds Pastor James. 
 The volunteers are from various branches of Church of God in Metro Manila that includes Quezon City, Las Pinas, Manila, Paranaque, Mandaluyong, Caloocan, Marikina, Antipolo, Calamba, San Pablo, and many others. For their share of volunteers, WeLoveU Foundation invited students from different colleges such as, World Citi College (WCC), Pamantasang Lumgsod ng Pasig (PLP), Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), Montessori Professional College, Rizal Tech University, and University of the Philippines, Diliman (UP).
 The two-day volunteer activity ended with a closing ceremony. Like their opening, the closing was also attended by more than 700 volunteers from the church and foundation shouting , “We love you!” as they welcome Major Rivera on the stage to give a closing message for the volunteers. 
 Major Rivera said, “The World Mission Society Church of God and International WeLoveYou Foundation have set a new record already. Officially, for your two-day stint here at DSWD-NROC, you have gained and accomplished 20,700 food packs. Congratulations… You really have a big helping hand for us in this endeavor. Thank you for your time, energy, effort… I take off my hat and say thank you to all of you… Let’s continue praying…” 
 The feat done by the volunteers from the church and foundation was made possible by their unified concern for the victims of Yolanda. Thus showing, with one heart and one mind, everything can be done in the name of God. 
- World Mission Society Church of God[CNN]