The Church of God in Oceania

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In Oceania, the Church of God began its missionary work in Australia and New Zealand. As long-term and short-term mission teams actively preached the gospel, the truth of the new covenant spread and the church was established in the two countries and the South Pacific Island nations as well. In Oceania, where various ethnic groups coexist, the church members make every effort to unite with faith in God Elohim, obey the words of the Bible, and live a godly life as Christians. Local citizens and various organizations have paid attention to the members, who resemble God of love and diligently volunteer for their neighbors and the environment. 

The Church of God in Sydney, Australia
The Church of God in Sydney, Australia
The Church of God in Christchurch, New Zealand
The Church of God in Christchurch, New Zealand
The Church of God in Dunedin, New Zealand
The Church of God in Dunedin, New Zealand





Overview of the Church of God in Oceania

The Church of God members in Sydney, Australia
The Church of God members in Sydney, Australia

There are many countries in Oceania that are known for their beautiful, natural scenery. The Church of God’s missionary activities began in Australia and New Zealand around 2004 to teach people about the Kingdom of Heaven where there is eternal salvation and happiness for all those who live there. The two countries have an open immigration policy, and many people from the South Pacific Islands live there. There are members of various nationalities in the Church of God in regions such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in Australia, and Christchurch and Dunedin in New Zealand. As the Bible says, “You will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth,” they have been preaching the gospel in various ways, not only in their home country but also in neighboring countries. The number of people who received the truth in small island countries of the South Pacific such as Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and others, increased as members preached the truth of the new covenant to their families in their hometowns either through phone calls or visiting them. Korean members also actively preached the gospel in these countries through short-term and long-term mission trips.

Online channels such as the Church of God’s official website and Media Casts, periodicals such as the Elohist, and various videos about the truth are also playing an important role in helping members build up their faith and stay united in the same mind.[1]

Present Status

It is no exaggeration to say that the Church of God in Oceania is a “miniature version of the earth” as there are members of various ethnicities. Their appearances, lifestyle habits, and greetings might be different, but under the faith that follows God the Father and God the Mother, the members make efforts to unite in love, consideration, and sacrifice. The members greet one another first, learn Zion's culture of respect and consideration by presenting themselves well and being prudent in speech and action, and share God’s grace.[2]
The members visit Korea to learn more about Mother’s love and the truth of the new covenant. Grainne O’Boyle (from Australia), who visited Korea as a member of the 62nd Overseas Visiting Group, expressed her joy in experiencing Mother’s love. She said, “It seems that Korean culture is full of warmth and humility. Through the members I met in Korea, I learned a lot about kindness, servanthood, and humility.”[3]

Environmental Protection Movement

The 5,457th Worldwide Environmental Cleanup in Chelsea Beach, Melbourne, Australia
The 5,457th Worldwide Environmental Cleanup in Chelsea Beach, Melbourne, Australia

As the global village is suffering from global warming and a climate crisis, the Oceania continent, which is well-known for its favorable environment, is no longer a safe zone. The rapid climate change and the rising sea levels have led to a submergence crisis in the islands at low altitudes. Some observers say that the island countries such as Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, and Kiribati will disappear from the map before the year 2100.[4] In 2021, Simon Kofe, the Minister for Justice, Communication, and Foreign Affairs in Tuvalu, delivered a speech, standing knee-deep in seawater to inform the international community of the seriousness of the submergence crisis.[5] Also, the large-scale bushfire that occurred in Australia in the autumn of 2019, burned more than 11 million hectares (110,000 sq km or 27.2 million acres) of bush, forest, and parks across Australia; it is also a climate disaster caused by global warming.[6][7]

The members in Oceania took the initiative to help protect the environment. They carried out various activities such as cleaning up streets, forests, and beaches, planting trees, removing bushes, removing graffiti, and leading environmental campaigns. This has had a positive effect on raising citizens’ environmental awareness.[8][9][10][11] A member who participated in environmental cleanup activities in New Zealand said, “If cleanups are carried out in all streets of the world, the world will become bright and beautiful.” He said he would continue to deliver hope and happiness to the world through the good deeds that have Mother’s love.[12]

Keep Victoria Beautiful [KVB], which is Australia’s educational, non-profit environmental organization, presented the Church of God with the Sustainable City Award in 2016.[13] At the awards ceremony held at State Library Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, it was also announced that the Church of God received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the U.K. All the attendees were amazed and poured out congratulations and praises on the Church of God.

Cleanups were also consistently carried out in Christchurch, New Zealand, where the environment was damaged by major earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker, who participated in the event, expressed gratitude to Heavenly Mother who taught the members to love one another,[14][15] and presented the Church of God with a certificate of appreciation.[16] He said, “The church members who are helping their neighbors with a pure heart without expecting anything in return are a gift from Heavenly Mother.” In addition, the Mayor and a City Councilor of Brisbane,[17][18][19] the Mayor of Blacktown in Australia,[20] the Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand,[21] and the Prime Minister of Tonga[22] sent certificates and letters of appreciation to the Church of God.

Tree planting in Titan Place, Auckland, New Zealand
Tree planting in Titan Place, Auckland, New Zealand

Sharing Love With Neighbors

Flood recovery efforts in Wallarong, New South Wales, Australia
Flood recovery efforts in Wallarong, New South Wales, Australia

The church members in Oceania willingly give a helping hand to their neighbors, regarding their difficulties as their own. Whenever an unexpected disaster such as a flood or earthquake occurs, they visit the affected areas and help with recovery efforts.[23] The residents of Wallaroo in Sydney, Australia, where the members carried out flood damage recovery efforts, said, “You came to us when everyone felt exhausted and thought that it would be impossible to do all the recovery work. We are overwhelmed with tears, and we cannot fully express gratitude to you all for the work you’ve done.”[24]

The members have volunteered in various fields such as educational support, blood donations, and supporting vulnerable communities. They donated the proceeds from charity events to youth sports facilities where there was an urgent need to change old sports equipment,[25] and also sent donations and gifts to the children’s hospital to encourage the children to continue in their recovery. The local communities greatly welcomed their activities.[24] The blood drives that the members regularly held contributed to resolving the blood shortage and helped encourage others to donate blood.[26]

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the members continue to volunteer in strict accordance with the pandemic prevention regulations. They provide COVID-19 prevention supplies, groceries, and daily necessities to neighbors who are suffering from a prolonged pandemic,[27][28] and also pack and deliver lunch boxes with delicious food to them.[29] ASEZ WAO the Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, and ASEZ the University Student Volunteer Group encourage frontline medical staff and related workers with handwritten letters and snack packs. Police officers in Doncaster East, Melbourne, Australia, who were busy supporting pandemic prevention and managing public order, expressed gratitude to the young adults for the gifts.[30] 

The 830th Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover in the Church of God in Auckland, New Zealand
The 830th Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover in the Church of God in Auckland, New Zealand

Support From People From All Walks of Life

Certificate of Appreciation from the Prime Minister of New Zealand
Certificate of Appreciation from the Prime Minister of New Zealand

The Church of God in Oceania, which contributes to the development and harmony of their country and community, receives support from people from all walks of life. At the Global ASEZ Summit 2019 held at the New Jerusalem Temple in Pangyo, Korea, Ryan Smith, Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, and Dot Haynes of Manningham City Council in Melbourne gave a congratulatory celebration to ASEZ members around the world for finding ways to create a crime-free society.[31]

When ASEZ WAO visited Blacktown City Hall in Australia and delivered the message, “Climate disaster is a joint assignment that must be overcome together,” Mayor of Blacktown Stephen Bali expressed his respect, saying, “I am humbled in front of young people,”[32] and the city councilors supported the young people while acknowledging the positive effects of the activities ASEZ WAO had done throughout the world.[33][34]

The blood banks in Australia and New Zealand presented the Church of God with awards in recognition of making efforts to save the lives of people and informing the world of the importance of donating blood.[35][36][37]

External links

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ten Times More Blessings for Those Who Have Become One". English WATV. May 29, 2012.
  2. ↑ "God's Mighty Work for His Children in Unity". English WATV. July 20, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Church of God Introduces Korean Cultural Heritage and filial piety". The Incheon Ilbo. April 20, 2015.
  4. ↑ "As oceans rise, are some nations doomed to vanish?". The Japan Times. October 13, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Tuvalu minister to address Cop26 knee deep in water to highlight climate crisis and sea level rise". The Guardian. November 8, 2022.
  6. ↑ "CSIRO study proves climate change driving Australia's 800% boom in bushfires". The Sydney Morning Herald. November 26, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Seoul National University Finds the Cause of Australia's Big Forest Fire". News Penguin. April 6, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Continuous environmental cleanup leads to local development," Scoop, October 29, 2018
  9. ↑ "Mountains of rubbish collected in Papakura Children's Forest," Stuff, February 19, 2018
  10. ↑ "Spirit of cleanliness," Otago Daily Times, April 29, 2013
  11. ↑ "Politicians pitch in at big cleanup," Stuff, January 30, 2012
  12. ↑ "Tidying up public spaces with Mother's love," Stuff, December 21, 2017
  13. ↑ "The Church of God Wins Australian KVB Sustainable Cities Awards". English WATV. July 15, 2016.
  14. ↑ "I Support the Church of God". WATV.org.
  15. ↑ "94th Sacred Birth Anniversary of Christ Ahnsahnghong, Overseas". WATV MEDIA CAST.
  16. ↑ "Christchurch City Council Mayor's Appreciation Letter". WATV AWARD. October 10, 2013.
  17. ↑ "City of Brisbane Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation". WATV AWARD. March 3, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Brisbane City Councillor's Certificate of Appreciation". WATV AWARD. March 1, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Brisbane City Councillor's Certificate of Appreciation". WATV AWARD. September 25, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Blacktown City Mayor's Letter of Appreciation". WATV AWARD. August 10, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Christ Church Mayor's Certificate of Appreciation". WATV AWARD. November 4, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Tonga Prime Minister's Letter of Appreciation". WATV AWARD. May 4, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Church of God's Warmth Embraces Neighbor's Pain". Aju News. December 20, 2017.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "With Mother's Heart, With Mother's Love!". WATV MEDIA CAST.
  25. ↑ "We Cheer for Youth's Dream". WATV News. December 23, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Church of God Runs Over 1000 Worldwide Blood Drives for 15 years". Monthly Chosun. July 12, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Church of God Provides Masks to Mongol, U.S., Brazil, etc". Seoul Newspaper. July 13, 2020.
  28. ↑ "3.3 Million Church of God Members Talk About the 'Path of Hope in Our Global Village'". Shindonga. January 3, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Church of God Provides Masks in Countries of Peru, Venezuela, Nepal, etc". Sisa News. July 6, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Church of God University Students Conducted 'Overcoming COVID-19 Relay' in Australia". The Joongbu Ilbo. June 21, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Global ASEZ Summit 2019 Congratulatory Messages". WATV MEDIA CAST. July 15, 2019.
  32. ↑ "ASEZ WAO'S Making Sustainable World". WATV MEDIA CAST. December 20, 2019.
  33. ↑ "World Citizens' Messages to ASEZ". WATV MEDIA CAST. February 17, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Save the Earth with the Heart of a Mother!". WATV MEDIA CAST. August 2, 2021.
  35. ↑ "The Australian Red Cross Blood Service's Recognition". WATV AWARD. April 27, 2017.
  36. ↑ "The Australian Red Cross Blood Service's Recognition". WATV AWARD. April 21, 2021.
  37. ↑ "The New Zealand Blood Service's Recognition". WATV AWARD. May 23, 2018.
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