By Ekpor Temple
More
than a hundred non-members from their neighborhood and community received
clothes, food, cash, and free medical services from the Seventh-day Adventist
Church Mgbuoba in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, September 17, 2023.
This was done as a lead-up for the scheduled Hope channel evangelism and as
part of events commemorating the centenary celebration of the Adventist Church
in the Eastern Nigeria Union Mission (ENUC).
The
church invited indigent community members from various denominations to come to pick up welfare packages and materials in a makeshift market set up at the
church premises without paying a dime as
part of a program called "Shop for Free" that was organized by the
Sabbath School Department of the church.
In a red carpet chat with A-media PHC, the church Pastor Stephen Otola
Azikwe, said the gesture was to contribute their quote to the society.
According to him, the church is not only to preach the words of God but to
reach out to the people through charity projects, community healthcare services, and vocational skill acquisition projects for national development.
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| Pastor Stephen Otola Azikwe @A-Media PHC podium |
“"This is the first time I've
seen a program like this. And I have to admit, this makes me feel good. I am
happy that the church was able to start this project to bring smiles to many
needy families during a time of financial struggle in our country.
"What we just done is a
reflection of how Christ lived his life in sacrifice for us. Meeting the
physical needs of the community's underprivileged members is the best way to
evangelize, and that is what the church did.
This is the second edition of the program, according to the
church's Sabbath School Superintendent, Mr. Nwuzor Charles. The Adventist
church must step in as a religious organization, foundation, and corporate body
to fill the gap as the government cannot provide for all of its citizens' needs.
The Chairman of the project, Mr. Steve Nwosu expressed that this
event is an extension of the General Conference's annual community guest day
celebration that the church chose to redesign as a program aimed at reaching
out to non-Adventist acquaintances in our neighborhood. He also expressed his gratitude to the
members who gave valuable gifts, donations and sacrifices to the cause.
Some
of our friends who took advantage of the free shopping during the event spoke
with A-media PHC to express their gratitude to the church for remembering and
cheering up their families via this admirable endeavor. While others thanked
the church for consistently organizing outreach programs, they also committed
to participate in the October Hope Channel evangelism.
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Wow that great 👍 God bless your ministry
ReplyDeleteThat's great Mgbuoba SDA, more Grace to make impact.
ReplyDelete