ⓒ 2015 WATV

After receiving the Presidential Citation, the World Mission Society Church of God received another award—the Citation from the Minister of Public Safety and Security of Korea, on June 4. The Ministry of Public Safety and Security of Korea explained that it awarded the Church of God because “the church contributed greatly to flood relief efforts in Geumjeong-gu, Dongrae-gu, and Gijang-gun in Busan when there was a heavy rain in August, 2014.”

The record-breaking rain poured down in August 25, last year, and it caused considerable damage in Busan. The streets were covered by earth and sand, and the stores and houses were flooded. Starting on the 26th, the day right after the rain, until September 3, the church members in Busan of around 2,900 man-days willingly volunteered for the flood relief efforts. They shoveled sand, cleaned household goods of the flood victims, and helped tidy up the mess. The members also donated goods to community centers and shared their neighbors’ pain.

This citation was given to the church through the active recommendation of the volunteer center in Gijang-gun that took notice of the members’ hard work. “It was quite impressive that the members not only helped restore the flood damage but also brought their own lunches in order not to cause the victims any inconvenience. I appreciate their sincere volunteer services,” said Jeong Deok-suk, the Head of the Gijang Volunteer Center.

While the members in Busan were putting all their strength to restoring the flood damage at the southeast end of Korea, the members in Jeonnam Province were making their best efforts to serve free meals to the families of the Sewol ferry accident victims and volunteers at the southwest end of the nation. As the church members all around the world carry out volunteer services with their utmost sincerity, regarding their neighbors’ pain as theirs and following the teachings of God Elohim, the Church of God continues to receive awards from governments, local municipal corporations, and various organizations of many nations as well as of Korea.