On December 13, 2016, the World Mission Society Church of God became the first church to be invited to a high-level conference of the United Nations. The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UN CERF) hosted its 2017 High-Level pledging conference, where General Pastor Kim Joo-Cheol of the Church of God delivered a speech and introduced the church.
“The Church of God believes in God the Father and God the Mother in the Bible, and keeps the new covenant truth established by Jesus Christ,” General Pastor explained.
“The Church of God, which has 2.5 million members in 175 countries, has actively responded to various relief efforts. Through these activities, the Church of God was honored with the awards from the United States and Korean presidents, and, this year, the Queen’s Voluntary Service Award along with the title of MBE [Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire] from the Queen of the United Kingdom. All these Church of God humanitarian activities originated from the heart of Mother.”
General Pastor spoke to an audience of representatives from 29 countries. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon opened the conference, followed by a high-level panel discussion moderated by CNN anchor Jake Tapper. The panel included Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr. Stephen O’Brien, Uganda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Sam Kahamba Kutesa, Minister for Development Cooperation of Denmark H.E. Ulla Tornaes, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Filippo Grandi, and UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda Ms. Rosa Malango. They discussed the need for funding to enable UN CERF to serve the global community affected by conflict and crises. Thirty-three donors at the conference pledged approximately $273 million to support the Fund’s emergency response to disasters around the world.
Helping Nations in Need Through Good Deeds
Last month, the Church of God in Denver, Colorado, held a charity concert that successfully raised $50,000, which the Church donated to UN CERF to aid Haiti after Hurricane Matthew.
The Church of God first collaborated with the United Nations in 2010, after donating funds to aid victims of the Haiti earthquake. Again, in 2015, the Church of God provided aid to victims of the Nepal earthquake.
In his speech, General Pastor pointed out, “The world is now experiencing the devastating effects of wars, famines, earthquakes, and climate change. Although much has been done, we now need to do even more.”
“These disasters are not isolated to just one country. Therefore, the Church of God regards all seven billion people in the global community as our family and cares about them.”
“With the heart of Heavenly Mother, the Church of God will continue to support the UN CERF as well as other entities of the United Nations to provide aid to those in need.”
