MP Chen says “great work” of INC congregation and volunteers shows meaning of “true compassion”
(Eagle News) — A member of Parliament of Canada, representing Scarborough North, recently commended the “great work” being done by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) after witnessing first hand food drive done by the Church in the Greater Toronto Area on April 19, 2019.
Shaun Chen, the Member of the Canadian Parliament for Scarborough North, said “the great work being done by the (INC) congregation, by the volunteers… really shows what the meaning of true compassion is.”
MP Chen personally witnessed the humanitarian efforts of INC in the Aid to Humanity Food Drive held on April 14 which was done through the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation.
INC volunteers in the Greater Toronto Area helped gather 250 boxes of non-perishable food items such as canned goods, baby food, fruit juices, and other necessities for the less fortunate to donate to the North York Harvest Food Bank.
“It’s so beautiful because we know that there are families that go hungry. There are people who work hard and are facing unfortunate circumstances,” MP Chen said in an interview.
“That we can come together and give back and support one another, and that is something that we should all be so incredibly blessed to experience. So I thank all the volunteers, and all those who have given to this food drive. It is just such a wonderful, wonderful thing for our community,” he said.
A representative of the North York Harvest Food Bank also thanked the INC and its volunteers for their help to the food bank.
“You’re letting us know that hey we’re here to help you. We know that you’re helping the community, we’re here to support you,” said Henry Chiu, the Marketing for the North York Harvest Food Bank.
The North York Harvest Food Bank is the “primary food bank in Northern Toronto.”
“We have about 40 member agencies. We raise food, we raise funds, so that we can distribute food to our member agencies to look after the people in need in our area,” Chiu explained.
“When our organization raises this much food… it helps us to serve the people… This food will [really come in] handy,” he added.
This effort is one of many ongoing outreach projects of the INC held in communities which it serves. This need to service both the spiritual and basic needs of its neighbors is reinforced by the INC Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, according to an INC-PIO release.
It said that just last April 9, the INC leader, Brother Eduardo Manalo, emphasized in a homily delivered at a special worship service how important it is to always remain obedient to God’s commands and to “not extinguish the flame of the holy spirit,” citing a verse in the Bible, Thess. 5:19, Plain English Translation.
“In that same gathering marking the INC International Officers’ Day, the INC Executive Minister also stressed that members of the Church Of Christ should continue to possess the spirit of helping and caring for others, — both our fellow Christians and all our neighbors,” the INC release said.
This special worship service was attended by more than 55,000 INC officers at the Philippine Arena which was the main site, while thousands more participated in the gathering through live streaming in more than 1000 remote sites scattered in more than 150 INC ecclesiastical districts worldwide.
“Indeed, INC members in 151 countries are unequivocally united in their obedience to God’ commands one of which is to ‘help those who are in need’ (II Cor. 8:13-14, Good News Translation),” said the INC release.
(with an INC-PIO release)
