By: Fransen Mariano Esteban
EFC-Iloilo believes that sharing food is one of the effective paths to share God’s message. As they looked around the city, they found a strategic street where there were lots of children playing every Sunday afternoon. The Ybernas Street, situated right at the heart of Iloilo City Proper.
The church’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Benjamin Chavez took the matter to the leaders of the church at once, “Our goal is to feed the children both physically and spiritually, by providing meals, teaching, nurturing, encouraging, and loving these children in the name of Jesus Christ we are taking an active part of the great commission”. The leaders wholeheartedly agreed and started the planning of the activity immediately.
Accordingly, they launched the First EFC-Iloilo Children Feeding Program at Ybernas Street on March 24, 2019. The church’s Women’s Department helped to oversee and prepare healthy meals while the Youth Department prepared the games. About 60 thrilled and eager kids were accommodated. After nourishing them with a delectable meal, the kids enjoyed the games and activities prepared just for them. Thereafter, the love of God through a Bible Story was shared to them by the Children’s Church Teachers. All kids present received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“It is our hope and prayer that these children will be a conduit to bring their family to Salvation” according to one of the volunteers. “By making a difference in the child’s life, one at a time, eventually we can reach the world”, he added.
A passage taken from the book of James, chapter 2, verses 15 & 16 encouraged the entire team “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”
Everyone chorused in praising God for His goodness and faithfulness. He alone deserves the glory for the success of the activity!
