Strong and zealous faith that would help Filipinos promote and exercise strong faith in God to help the government become judicious, righteous, virtuous, nation-loving, people-loving, and just in governance.
This was the heart of the message of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in the 32nd anniversary celebration of the Jesus Is Lord Church in Luneta Friday evening.
Addressing the mammoth crowd that filled the Luneta grounds, Enrile said: “Bigyan kayo ng Panginoon natin ng mas matibay at masigasig na pananampalataya upang matulungan pa ang ating mga kababayan upang isulong at pairalin ang matibay na paniniwala sa Panginoong Diyos dito sa ating bansa. Nang sa gayon ang ating gobyerno ay maging matino, matuwid, malinis, makabayan, makatao, at makatarungan ang kanilang pamamahala.”
Earnest prayers were said during the height of the event in Luneta, site of the bloody August 23 hostage-taking incident that killed eight Chinese nationals.
“Let the curse be broken in our land,” said JIL founder and spiritual director Bro. Eddie Villanueva as he claimed healing and peace for the families of the victims of the said tragedy.
Aside from the Senate President, Villanueva was also joined in prayer by other government officials including Congressional Representatives Justin Mark Chipeco of the 2nd District of Laguna, Rey Umali of the 2nd District of Oriental Mindoro, CIBAC Partylist Representatives Chona Gonzales and Sherwin Tugna, and Kalinga Partylist Representative Abegail Ferriol who read the House Resolution commending JIL for its 32 years of service to the Filipino people. League of Governors of the Philippines president, Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn were also present.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director General Joel Villanueva and Bocaue Mayor Eduardo Villanueva Jr., sons of Bro. Eddie were also in attendance.
Respected heads of different religious organizations also joined in the celebrations including Roman Catholic Bishop Deo Iniguez of the Archdiocese of Caloocan, Bishop Leo Alconga of the International Bible Society, Bishop Dan Balais of Philippines for Jesus Movement, Pastor Ed De Guzman of Intercessors for the Philippines, Pastor Paul Chase of Alabang New Life in Christ, Apostle Renato Carillo of Jesus Our Shield Worldwide Ministries, Pastor Art Ferriol of Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ, Pastor Emilio Henares of River of Life in Bacolod, Pastor Joshua Bontogan of Life Touchers Ministry, Pastor Entoy Sintos of Jesus Miracle Crusade, and Bro. Danny Navales of Ang Dating Daan.
Other highlights of the program included the giving of love gifts to 32 non-JIL churches and pastors from other Christian denominations. The churches and pastors were selected by the ministerial heads in Metro Manila.
“Ipanalangin nyo pong higit na marami pang mga simbahan at mga manggagawa ng Diyos ang ating mapagpala,” said Villanueva.
The iCare Compassion Ministry of JIL also gave away gift boxes to 3,200 children and grocery items to 3,200 families. They were represented on stage by 32 children and mothers.
The selected children and families were from Parola, Capulong, Aroma, Sunod-Apog, Raxabago in Tondo and from various places in Metro Manila including Tambunting, Sampaloc, Baseco, Paco, San Andres, Sta Ana, Leveriza, Malate, Pembo, Mandaluyong, Nueve De Pebrero, San Juan, Taguig-Pateros, Kaunlaran, and Malabon.
The program ended in a parade of flag featuring the 44 countries where JIL churches are currently planted and the 36 countries JIL is set to reach in the next ten years.
Today, JIL is in five continents. It has reached 44 countries and has planted churches in 875 cities. It regularly conducts 11,589 worship services worldwide.
“This is all for the glory of God,” said Villanueva. ###