The Church of God in South America

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The Church of God members in and around Lima, Peru

The Church of God’s mission to spread the gospel in South America began in Peru in the late 1990s.Since then, the good news has spread rapidly to neighboring countries throughout the continent. Currently, churches and worship places have been established in most South American countries including Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, and Paraguay. There are also locations in the Amazon rainforest and even in the villages of the Andes Mountains. Many churches have also been established in Central America, including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, and Costa Rica.

The members of the Church of God in South America preach the gospel with fervor and spread the love of God in various regions through different types of volunteer services. In Brazil, members of the Church of God University Student Volunteer Group [ASEZ] were invited to the Presidential Palace to celebrate National Volunteer Day.

Overview of the Church of God in South America

The first overseas mission in South America began in Peru, and the first church was established in 1998. In the early days, it was difficult for the Korean missionaries to communicate with the people there due to the language barrier. They were only able to greet the members in Spanish, saying, “Dios lo bendiga mucho.” Despite various difficulties such as the weather, widespread diseases, and the language barrier, the missionaries cultivated the land and established a church, only relying on the words of the Bible, “You will be My witnesses in Samaria and to the ends of the earth."[1][2][3]
In South America, there are 12 countries, including Peru, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. In total, there are 33 Latin American countries which includes Central America that connects North and South Americas.[4] Due to the European influence, Catholicism is deeply rooted in society, such as the economy, politics, and culture. Despite this, the love of God the Mother and the truth of the Passover of the new covenant resonates strongly in the hearts of the members. The members who established their faith in the Church of God spread the gospel of the new covenant across national borders, including Bolivia and Argentina.[5] As a result, the Church of God has been established in major cities in each country, and also in various other places such as Ushuaia in Argentina, the southernmost city near Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, and Taruma in Brazil, located in the Amazon rainforest. One tribal chief in the Amazon rainforest expressed his sentiment, saying, “No one has ever come here to preach God’s word. The Church of God was the first.”

Present Status

In Central and South Americas, where the Mayan, Aztec, Inca, and Andean civilizations bloomed, various cultures and customs coexist even in this present time. The local Church of God members, regardless of race, ethnicity, language, or culture, share affection with one another like a family and respect each other through the medium of God’s love. The selfless nature of the members comes from a faith that puts into practice the examples of Jesus Christ such as humility and consideration, and the Teachings of Mother. Nancy Espitia (Bogota, Colombia), who visited Korea as a member of the 74th Overseas Visiting Group, said, “I'm trying to put into practice the love of God through a smile and good deeds by following the Teachings of Mother such as giving love and having a beautiful mind.”[6] The gospel is spreading rapidly as the pastoral staff and members serve one another with one mind, and are working together in unity with passion which South America is known for.

Volunteer Services

The Worldwide Blood Drive to Give Life Through the Love of the Passover held in Peru

The church members in South America care for their neighbors as themselves, as Christ requested, and are devoted to helping those in need. They find the areas that need support in their communities, discuss the concerns with Headquarters, and carry out volunteer services in a swift and systematic manner. The members willingly take the lead in promoting well-being so that no one is left behind and everyone lives a happy life. They promote this by supporting child welfare facilities and visiting nursing homes for senior citizens and government offices. The members have also held blood drives which have positively influenced their communities who are unfamiliar with the practice and have spread the importance of blood donation throughout various countries in South America.[7]
Disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, fires, and floods shake the foundation of people’s lives in a moment. With the earnest desire to deliver Mother’s love, the church members carry out disaster relief activities such as providing meals and health care services to victims to help them return to their daily lives.[8][9][10] In 2017, when there was an 8.1-magnitude earthquake in Mexico, the members provided supplies and services to support the victims.[11] When the El Niño flood hit the coast of Peru and a state of emergency was issued to half the country, the members made various efforts to help the flood victims. They traveled to where the victims were impacted and carried out recovery and relief efforts and held blood donation campaigns and concerts.[12] When the Church of God provided free meal services to the fire victims in Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru, one of the victims said to the members, “You have made me realize that we are not alone. While receiving help that I never expected, I felt that the world is helping each other. Thank you for not neglecting us.”[13]
ASEZ and ASEZ WAO members in South America regularly carry out environmental protection activities.[14][15][16][17][18] They host global forums[19][20] and conferences[21][22][23][24][25] with experts and influential figures from various fields to discuss practical ways to help solve the climate change crisis and raise awareness among local residents.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the churches have complied with government guidelines and are making efforts to stop the spread of the virus by providing personal protective equipment [PPE].[26][27][28] In Caracas, Venezuela, which has been experiencing economic hardship and social and political turmoil for many years, residents suffered from having no water for two months due to the aftermath of the pandemic. Even in the hot weather, the church members walked 5 km to deliver water to those in need.[29]

ASEZ members are invited to the Presidential Palace in Brazil

Responses From Organizations and the Media in Different Countries

Government officials from different countries participate in various events held by the Church of God and support the efforts of the members to deliver courage and hope to humankind.[30][19] Duberlí Rodriguez Tineo, former President of Peru's Supreme Court, sent a message of encouragement to the church. It said, “I consider this activity that the young university students are doing to save the earth from A to Z as very important. I’d like to congratulate the young university students that are doing voluntary work in different places to save our planet earth.”[31] In Brazil, the President invited ASEZ members to the Presidential Palace for National Volunteer Day and expressed his gratitude and appreciation for their dedication.[32][33]
The local media has also expressed interest and reported on the activities of the Church of God.[34] The Peruvian public broadcaster, ATV , reported through a visit to Korea and an interview with the Church of God, “As the basis of their faith, the members have more love for others than they receive. Love, and God above all, is the background that made all of these social activities, such as helping neighbors and preaching the word, possible.”
In Peru and Chile, “Our Mother” Writing and Photo Exhibition was held to shine the value of Mother’s love and to inspire others.[35] The Head of Chile Government Affairs Bureau who visited the exhibition, said, “It is a very valuable exhibition that makes you think deeply about the existence and role of mothers.”[36] The “Our Mother” Writing and Photo Exhibition was first held in 2013 at the Church of God in Gangnam, Seoul, Korea, and more than 750,000 people visited it. The exhibition was then expanded to many countries around the world.
For their volunteer services that helped many different regions and countries, the Churches of God in South America received many awards from local governments and public institutions. This includes a citation from the Speaker of the Chilean Parliament, a medal from the Chairman of Piura of Peru[37], a citation from the Mayor of Huaraz, Peru[38], an award certificate from Sergipe Parliament House, Brazil[39], a resolution from the Mayor of Esmeraldas, Ecuador[40], and a citation from the Mayor of Pilar, Argentina[41].

External links

References

  1. ↑ "World Mission Society Church of God Opens the Age of 3 Million Saints on 55th Anniversary". Shin DongA. 2019. 6. 7. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ↑ "Children Who Are Faithful in a Very Little Thing". English WATV. 2006. 6. 1. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ↑ "The Latter Rain of the Holy Spirit Wets a Barren Land". English WATV. 2003. 11. 1. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ "Latin America and the Caribbean". Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  5. ↑ "We Are Going to Heaven (Vamos al Cielo)". English WATV. 2004. 1. 1. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ↑ "74th Overseas Visiting Group Visit Korea". Sisa News. 2019. 5. 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ↑ "The World Takes Note of God the Mother". MEDIA CAST. 2019. 5. 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ↑ "Free food service to help the victims by the fire in Villa El Salvador". MEDIA CAST. 2017. 3. 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ↑ "For the One Who Need Mother's Love". WATV News. 2012. 12. 30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ↑ "We wish to help the victims by embracing with warm Mother's love". WATV News. 2012. 12. 13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ↑ "Earthquake Relief Activity in Mexico". WATV News. 2017. 9. 13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ↑ "Setting an Example for the World with Humanitarian Work". Weekly DongA. 2018. 3. 13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ↑ "Free food service to help the victims by the fire in Villa El Salvador". MEDIA CAST. 2017. 3. 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ↑ "[Peru Beach Cleansing Activity] Let's Overcome El Niño Climate Change Crisis with Environmental Cleanup". MEDIA CAST. 2017. 8. 1. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ↑ "Jornada de concientización y limpieza en la ribera del río Luján". Lujan Hoy. 2020. 1. 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ↑ "Jóvenes fomentan limpieza de calles con campaña ambiental". LA NACION. 2019. 4. 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ↑ "Universitarios coreanos participaron en minga de limpieza en Atacames". La Hora. 2019. 1. 22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ↑ "Realizan trabajo de de limpieza y acondicionamiento del área verde". Hoy. 2018. 2. 4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Let's Make the World Beautiful ASEZ Global Forum in Peru". MEDIA CAST. 2019. 7. 16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ↑ "2018 ASEZ Global Forum on the Implementation of UN SDGs". ASEZ.org. 2018. 10. 17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ↑ "JÓVENES VOLUNTARIOS REALIZARÁN CAMPAÑA AMBIENTAL CON LA MUNICIPALIDAD PROVINCIAL DE HUAURA". Municipalidad Provincial de Huaura. 2020. 1. 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ↑ "Talk with the Minister of the Interior of Uruguay for Creating an Environment Conducive to Sustainable City". ASEZ.org. 2019. 8. 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ↑ "Multilateral Partnership for Sustainable Argentina". ASEZ.org. 2019. 1. 31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ↑ "ASEZ Holds a Conference to Build a Partnership with Minister of Justice and Human Rights and Vice Minister of Justice and Human Rights". ASEZ.org. 2019. 1. 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ↑ "Novo Airao City signed an MOU with ASEZ for constant cooperation". ASEZ.org. 2019. 1. 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ↑ "Donation and Service Relays to Combat COVID-19". WATV.org. 2020. 7. 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ↑ "San Isidro: Campaña "De corazón a Corazón" de ASEZ WAO Entrega de kits de apoyo al personal médico que lucha contra la COVID-19". NorteOnline. 2020. 12. 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ↑ "Iglesia de Dios Sociedad Misionera Mundial entrega apoyo al Regimiento N°21 Coquimbo". La Voz del Norte. 2020. 9. 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ↑ "Church of God Help All Countries of the World". Ilgan. 2020. 7. 2. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ↑ "Blood Donation Campaign with Peru's First Lady". MEDIA CAST. 2017. 7. 4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ↑ "World Citizen's Messages to ASEZ". MEDIA CAST. 2020. 2. 17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ↑ "Brazil's President Invites Church of God University Student Volunteer Group ASEZ to Presidential Palace". Aju News. 2018. 9. 3. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ↑ "ASEZ, the World Mission Society Church of God University Student Volunteer Group, Was Invited to the Presidential Palace of Brazil". ASEZ.org. 2018. 8. 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ↑ "South America". WATVPRESS.
  35. ↑ "'Hometown of Heart' A Touching Exhibition Full of Mother's Love". Weekly DongA. 2018. 9. 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ↑ "[Special Feature ● Luther's 500 Years of Religious Reformation - Church of God and Truth in the Bible] 2.7 Million World Mission Society Church of God Saints' 'Grand Chorus'". Monthly JoongAng. 2017. 11. 17. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ↑ "María Cecilia Torres Carrión, CEO of the Piura Regional Government". WATV Award. 2017. 10. 5. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ↑ "Vladimir Antonio Meza Villarreal, Mayor of the Provincial Municipality of Huaraz". WATV Award. 2014. 1. 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ↑ "State of Sergipe Legislative Assembly". WATV Award. 2014. 7. 22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ↑ "Lenin Lara Rivadeneira, Mayor of Esmeraldas". WATV Award. 2019. 3. 15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ↑ "Nicolás Ducoté, Municipal Mayor of Pilar". WATV Award. 2018. 8. 10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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