JESUS IS LORD CHURCH WORLDWIDE TURNS 41
Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (JIL) celebrated its 41st anniversary with millions of its followers -- from chapters in almost every province and city nationwide, and 6o nations worldwide -- at the Luneta Park yesterday.
When there is unity, God will do bigger and greater things through and in the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (JIL), Deputy Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva said in an interview yesterday at JIL’S 41st anniversary held at Luneta Park, Manila where hundreds of thousands of JIL members and supporters from across the Philippines and overseas gathered.
Cong. Bro. Eddie, speaking on the event’s theme taken from the Book of Galatians 3:26-29, passionately urged the multitude of congregants, and the netizens watching the livestream, to “be united with and in Christ, not with vices and sin.” He urged believers to set aside race and status, age and gender, educational status and family background, and be one in Christ. This will help us help our country, he said.
“If we are of the same heart, our genuine and passionate love for God will enable us to help our nation. Without this, we cannot contribute to the rebuilding of the Philippines. The nation cannot succeed without a people united in loving God and country,” Cong. Bro. Eddie said.
He said that with rampant shaming, bullying, and discrimination everywhere, there is truly a need to unite in demonstrating God’s love, and added that our differences as a people need not lead to dispute and disagreements. “There is no need to inflict pain, and damage the hearts of other human beings just to prove that we are right. Our Lord Jesus Christ asks us to banish thoughts of hatred and violence; to shun the darkness of the soul.”
He emphasized the mightier force of many, as against one: “One faithful Christian is powerful enough, but a multitude of faithful Christians working together would turn the world upside down for Christ.”
JIL’S mission is “to bring all peoples to the kingdom of the living God regardless of race, status, belief and religious affiliations through the saving, healing, delivering, and transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The core values that are weaved into its biblical teachings include integrity, faithfulness, and excellence, in addition to passionate love for God (“an intimate and wholehearted devotion, reserved to GOD alone, that is steadfast and unparalleled, evidenced by absolute submission and obedience to GOD’S will and commands”) and fellowman. Indeed, For 41 years now, JIL has been faithfully sharing the Word of God, resulting in the transformation of men and women who then became great contributors to community development.
This phenomenon has caught the attention of no less than the Philippine Senate. Recently, it issued Resolution 13 signed by Senate President Vicente Sotto III to commend JIL for its “continuous contribution to the country’s moral and spiritual recovery, and for its vibrant work in community development and nation-building.”
Stories of change, healing and freedom from vices, among many others, demonstrate how effective the ministry of JIL has been. Amazing transformations are experienced by JIL followers. Rehabilitation of character does happen among those who are taught with JIL biblical values. It proves that lessons gleaned from the Bible shape people for the good, in a way that no other kind of conditioning or training can do.
In other words, yesterday’s gathering was attended by men and women who were once lost and confused, and are now on the road to success in life here on earth, and salvation from the eternal hell fires in life hereafter.
JIL has chapters in almost every town, city, and province here in the Philippines, and in different areas in 60 countries worldwide.
Cong. Bro. Eddie’s principles in ministry have greatly helped in JIL’S growth. He would always tell his audiences JIL was born from the very heart of God and that no human being is indispensable in the ministry and no one should be forced to serve in the ministry. He is of the firm belief that all JIL pastors and leaders must be seekers of God and His will, and they must be living models of God’s principles, people who are visionary, and intentionally faithful.
Cong. Bro. Eddie believes no one should seek money, fame or power in the ministry. If a person decides that these three are the most important components in life, he should not be in ministry. Integrity in money and worldly possessions is a trait Cong. Bro. Eddie would want to see in a fellow ministry worker.
No wonder JIL has come this far and is now entering its 42nd year in service to God and country.
A special prayer for the nation was one of the highlights of the celebration. Sen. Joel Villanueva, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva-tugna and Rev. Mike Mckinney graced the affair, together with long-time friends of Cong. Bro. Eddie and his wife, Sis. Dory Villanueva.