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For other organizations with the same name, see Church of God International (disambiguation).

For other uses, see Church of God (disambiguation).

Members Church of God International Mga Kaanib Iglesya ng Dios Internasyonal
Abbreviation	MCGI
Classification	Nontrinitarianism, Restorationism
Overall Servant (formerly "Presiding Minister")	Eliseo Soriano
Region	Philippines, International
Headquarters	ADD Convention Center, Brgy. Sampaloc, Apalit, Pampanga, Philippines
Founder	Nicolas Perez (claimed predecessor) Eliseo Soriano
Origin	April 20, 1980 Registered in the Philippines as Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas (Members Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Ground of the Truth in the Philippines) Pampanga, Philippines
Separated from	Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus the Pillar and Support of the Truth)
Congregations	1,360 as monitoring/coordinating centers
Aid organization	ADD Foundation International Kamanggagawa Foundation
Tertiary institutions	La Verdad Christian College
Other name(s)	Ang Dating Daan, ADD, MCGI
Publications	ControversyExtraordinary.com
Official website	www.mcgi.org

Members Church of God International, abbreviated as MCGI, is an international Christian religious organization with headquarters in the Philippines. It started as a small group with less than a hundred believers in 1977. It is popularly known in the Philippines as Ang Dating Daan (English: The Old Path; abbreviated as ADD), the title of its flagship radio and television program and currently the longest-running religious program in the Philippines with Eliseo Soriano as its "Overall Servant" (Former title: "Presiding Minister").

Members Church of God International believes that God the Father sent his son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the Church of God, first planted in Jerusalem and preached by the Apostles. They believe that Gentile nations, including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise of eternal life, through belief in Jesus Christ and the Gospel and are not authorized by God to establish their own church, but mere members associated with the same body or the church written in the Gospel by accepting it and executing the doctrines written by the Apostles. They believe that it is the primary objective of church, as commanded by Jesus Christ, to propagate the Gospel unto all nations until the consummation of the ages, convert sinners to believe and glorify God and to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven.

Members Church of God International can be found in six inhabited continents of the world with more than 1,360established local congregations. Its flagship program Ang Dating Daan is being broadcast in more than 70 countries, in five languages over terrestrial television, radio, internet and at least seven satellites across the globe.

It has a Nontrinitarianism orientation, rejecting the traditional doctrine of Trinity mainly because of its concept that there is "one God in three co-equal persons", which for them is against the Bible. Instead, they believe that God the Father is greater than Jesus Christ as declared by Christ himself, and in fact greater than all.

MCGI is not related to the many Church of God groups that descended from the Barney Creek Meeting House revival of the late 19th century in the United States.

Church mission

In blue are countries and territories where Members Church of God International (MCGI) is present.

Members Church of God International believes that God the Father sent his begotten son Jesus Christ, instrumental in the establishment of the Church of God (Mat 16:18, 1 Tim 3:15), first planted in the city of Jerusalem and preached by the Apostles in different places of Asia Minor (2 Thes 2:14, Acts 8:1, Gal 1:22). They believe that Gentile nations, including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise, the eternal life (1 John 2:25), through belief in Jesus Christ and the Gospel and are not authorized by God to establish their own church, but mere members associated with the same body or the church written in the Gospel by accepting it (Eph 3:6, Col 1:18, 1 Cor 12:27) and executing the doctrines written by the Apostles (1 John 1:3–4). They believe that Jesus Christ delegated the task of preaching God’s Word to his apostles on a global scale (Mat 28:19–20 and fulfilling this commandment is the primary objective of MCGI, to propagate the Gospel of Christ on earth until the consummation of the ages, for only the church can teach the wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind (Luke 8:1–3, Eph 3:10, 2 Tim 3:14–17). The church believes that this effort is geared to convert sinners to believe and glorify God (Acts 2:38), who is calling His people with determination to serve Him, bringing them in His fold (1 Pet 1:15–16, 1 Thes 1:1, 1 Cor 1:9; 1:2), teaching them righteousness and to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven (Phil 1:27, Eph 2:10, Eph 4:1; 4:10; 4:14).

History

Perez started preaching

The Members Church of God International in the Philippines rooted from a similar denomination, the Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus, Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth) which was first led by Nicolas Antiporda Perez in Pulilan, Bulacan, Philippines in 1928. It was formally registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 10, 1936 by Nicolas Perez as the pioneer "Presiding Minister" with a central office in Natividad St., Pasay, Rizal (now Pasay City). Since the year the church was established, church workers were being sent to the nearby provinces around Manila. In 1963, Triunfo Soriano and Catalina Fernando, both members of the church led by Perez, brought their child Eliseo in a worship service in the locale of Pasay. The young Soriano was enlightened by the preaching of Perez and became very interested in the Bible. Three months before his high school graduation, he decided to stop attending classes to dedicate his time in reading the Bible. He pleaded Perez to baptize him as the latter deemed him too young.

Soriano became a minister

On April 7, 1964, at the age of 17, Soriano was baptized in Sineguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite. He attended ministerial classes with Perez as instructor and became a minister. He conducted his first Bible study in Guagua, Pampanga and bore 33 new brethren, thus establishing the first locale in Pampanga, the Locale of Sto. Cristo. He also supervised the Pampanga Division, the first Division in the church consisting of several local churches in the province. Soriano was the one being assigned by Perez to represent the church in doctrinal debates with pastors and ministers of other religious denominations. He was also Perez' assistant in making outlines of topics being taught in ministerial classes of church workers. In 1972, Soriano was given an identification card bearing the title "Minister" by Perez. No other worker in the church was given this proof of being a minister.

Absence of successor

In May 1975, Perez died without appointing a successor to preside over the church, a small group with less than hundred congregations during that time. In the coming months, Soriano continue preparing the outline of Biblical topics being preached to the brethren in order for them not to lose hope. Members thought it was Perez who outlined those topics before his death. Workers knew, however, that it was Soriano's work. According to the policies of SEC for corporations and religious organizations, the General Secretary of an organization shall succeed as temporary presiding officer until a new presiding officer is elected. On July 11, 1975, members of the church's Board of Trustees, including Soriano, signed an agreement that Levita Gugulan as the General Secretary, shall succeed Perez as "temporary" presiding officer until election of a new presiding officer, as the law states. However, the election did not happen. Instead, Gugulan desired to lead over the church permanently as presiding minister. Soriano countered the authority of Gugulan, a woman, based on the Biblical prohibition for women to rule over the people of God (1 Tim 2:12).

Soriano's schism

In their belief that the group formerly led by Bro. Perez already went astray in the teachings of God, Eliseo Soriano, as the only ordained minister by Perez, together with 16 other members created a schism and left the group led by Gugulan in February 21, 1976. Most of the elders who left Gugulan personally testified that they have heard Perez preach that it is strictly prohibited in the Bible for a woman to rule over the Church of God. The group was formally registered the organization called "Mga Kaanib Iglesia ng Dios kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Saligan ng Katotohanan sa Bansang Pilipinas" (English: Members Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Ground of Truth in the Philippines) with the Philippine government in 1977. Soriano claims to continue the work started by Perez and until today, he believes that Perez is an "introducer" and was used as an instrument of God to start the preaching in the Philippines. ===The rise of In 1980, missionary works started and was first done in the towns of Pampanga and then, the neighboring provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, and Metro Manila. In the last quarter of 1980, the church launched the radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD). Through the local radio station DWWA 1206 kHz, ADD was heard in many parts of the Philippine Archipelago. The program became popular in the Philippines because of its live question and answer portion. In 1983, the program kicked off its national television appearance through Intercontinental Broadcasting Channel 13. Ang Dating Daan as a program in radio made its stint in RJTV 29, PTV 4, SBN 21, and now UNTV.

In 2005, the church changed its name to "Members Church of God International". On January 7, 2006, the first live Bible exposition in the United States was held in Los Angeles, California. In 2008, Bible Expositions were conducted in the continent of Oceania bringing forth the first congregation in Papua New Guinea. In the same year, congregations were established in Ghana, West Africa as a result of a series of Bible studies in Africa. The early months of 2009 saw the Church introduced in Latin America.

International expansion

A schism in MCGI happened in 2009 when Willy Santiago, a long-time

one of the bible readers of Eliseo Soriano in his radio and TV programs had a dispute over the church leadership succession and "erratic" changes in church doctrines (such as prostrating towards the east in prayer and Sabbath). This resulted twelve MCGI members including Willy Santiago to split from the group on October 2009 and established a new religion, the Members Church of God in Jesus Christ Worldwide or MCGJCW, with membership now consists mostly of former MCGI followers.

Online publications

MCGI's foray in the internet began in 1999 when www.angdatingdaan.org was launched. It was a six-time winner in the Philippine Web Awards as the "Most Popular Website of Year" from 2002 to 2007. In 2009, MCGI launched its international website www.MCGI.org. On April 2007, esoriano.wordpress.com was opened. In 2009, it was awarded as “Most Educational to Follow” by Mashable.com in its annual Open Web Awards on December 16, 2009. On December 2009, Eliseo Soriano opened his personal Twitter account (@broelisoriano). On January 2010, online channel "The Truthcaster" had its pilot appearance in Livestream.com which allows internet users to ask questions.

International expansion

Before the new millenium, Members Church of God International already took advantage of the internet technology to expand its reach. In 1999, the first webcast and video streaming of the Ang Dating Daan program was seen in the World Wide Web via the www.angdatingdaan.org. On July 13, 2002, a live video-streamed Bible Exposition made its first foreign appearance in Singapore.

With the help of church members working and living abroad, locales were established in several countries in Asia, Australia and Europe. On January 13, 2004, Eliseo Soriano registered "Members Church of God International" with the Philippine government, the church's current legal entity name, in response to the growing membership in other countries.

In 2004, the church made its foray into satellite broadcasting by signing a contract with Globecast World TV, a direct-to-home provider of free-to-air television via satellite. On October 7, 2004, The Old Path (TOP) program, the English version of Ang Dating Daan, was aired in United States and Canada through Globecast. Subsequently, locales were established in the North American continent.

As the church and its program became more popular in the Philippines, persecution presented by other influential religious groups intensified. To silence the host, lawsuit after lawsuit were filed to hurl personal charges against Soriano. Death threats came left and right, eventually pushing him to leave the Philippines in the last quarter of 2005. The congregation, though, believed that his exit was God’s will and paved the way for more non-Filipinos to hear the gospel. Since then, the evangelization works abroad grew intensely as Eliseo Soriano continued his missionary works in other countries while his deputy, Daniel Razon helped him to establish church locales in the United States. On January 7, 2006, the first live Bible exposition in the United States was held in Los Angeles, California.

In 2008, Bible Expositions were conducted in the continent of Oceania bringing forth the first local congregation in Madang, Papua New Guinea. Also in 2008, congregations were established in Ghana, West Africa as a result of a series of Bible studies. In 2009, the church was introduced in Latin America. During the first baptism in South American continent, 263 native South Americans were converted.

In 2010, The Old Path program was aired in India and Uruguay. In 2011, the church launched its program in Argentina

As of 2010, MCGI already established 15 local chapters in South America.

Pastors of different religious groups, picked, worked together to get rid of the Ang Dating Daan from Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation, the television station where it was first aired. In 2009, its membership in South America, Papua New Guinea and Africa grew by the hundreds.

Television

In 2009, MCGI launched TV Verdade which carries the 24-hour broadcast of "O Caminho Antigo" in Portuguese-speaking countries in Central and South America.

Organization and administration

The organization is managed by the MCGI Central Administration under the MCGI Workers Ministry. It is composed of the Overall Servants (Tagalog: Aliping Pangkalahatan or Lingkod Pangkalahatan), council of Helpers of the Ministry (Tagalog: Katulong ng Pangangasiwa abbreviated as "KNP") and Church Workers (Tagalog: Manggagawa).

Overall Servants

Currently, Eliseo Soriano is the Overall Servant to MCGI (formerly called as Presiding Minister or Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan in Tagalog) and his deputy, Daniel Razon is the Assistant to the Overall Servant (formerly called as Vice Presiding Minister or Pangalawang Tagapangasiwang Pangkalahatan in Tagalog). They supervise the entire organization, implement policies and projects, teach the Helpers of the Ministry (formerly called as Assistants to the Administration, Ministers-in-Charge, abbreviated as "MIC" and Officers-in-Charge, abbreviated as "OIC") and Church Workers all the doctrines of Christ and oversee rightful execution of duties and responsibilities assigned to them, including other officials in various church ministries and organizations. The Overall Servant prepares the outline of Biblical topics (Tagalog: paksa) and preach sermons. A part of it will be delivered and discussed by his deputy. Preaching of Biblical topic is done by the Overall Servants, either live or recorded, which is being aired in all MCGI local congregations. They also personally take time to resolve spiritual and personal problems of members every Thanksgiving gathering, during the consultation period.

Daniel Razon was born inside the MCGI and Soriano's nephew. While still in high school, Razon became part of the Ang Dating Daan program, as a director and editor, since its maiden television broadcast in 1983 with his uncle as main host. Few years after graduating in college, with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications in 1987, Razon though reluctant at first, joined the church's workers ministry. Few years later, he became an Officer-in-Charge of Metro Manila Division. He conceptualized most of existing organizations inside the church and the brains behind the Ang Dating Daan Bible Exposition. In the 1990s, the church members realized the need for a deputy Overall Servant to help Soriano administer the church. Though Soriano has doctrinal right to appoint Razon, he let the members decide and choose among the Officers-in-Charge. In December 1997, Razon was chosen with the congregation's unanimous vote.

Helpers of the Ministry and Workers

Helpers of the Ministry supervise a church "Division" (Tagalog: Dibisyon) referring to a geographical region in the Philippines or group of countries in a continent such as Asia Oceania. Area Servants (Tagalog: Tagapangasiwang Pampook, abbreviated as "TP") oversee a church "District" (Tagalog: Distrito) referring to one Philippine province. Assigned Church Workers administer various church services such as Prayer Meetings, Worship Services, Indoctrination Sessions, Bible Studies, Bible Expositions, and Thanksgiving in local congregations. They are allowed to communicate official memorandum signed by the Overall Servants and preside over matters and activities concerning the local church. Brethren can personally seek spiritual or personal advice from Workers, who were trained during ministerial classes, in giving Biblical advice and recommendations.

Funding

Much of their funding is provided by voluntary contributions from members and personal donations from the Overall Servants. There is no tithing. They believe that giving tithes, or 10 percent, is not applicable during Christian era. They believe that giving tithes is a commandment under Levitical Law for the Israelites but already replaced by voluntary contributions, decided by the heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, during the time of Jesus Christ as written by Apostle Paul in 2 Cor 9:7. The church does not accept any contribution or donation from non-members based on 3 John 1:7. MCGI does not offer any religious service in return for any financial payment.

Propagation and evangelism

They believe that an important duty and obligation of the members of the church is to propagate the gospel on earth until the consummation of the ages. Eliseo Soriano began his nightly town-to-town preaching in 1970s but eventually realized that his lifetime is not enough to reach the entire Philippines. In 1980s he decided to use emerging media such as radio and television.

Radio and television

The 30-minute AM radio program of Ang Dating Daan began in 1980 followed by its television debut 1983 on IBC-13. Later, it was transferred to RJTV-29, PTV-4 and SBN-21. In 1999, the program was heard nationwide through DZRH, RMN and 100 Radyo Natin stations. In 2004, UNTV-37 became its permanent home through a blocktime agreement with the Progressive Broadcasting Corporation. UNTV-37 is a free-to-air network and also carried by major cable networks and direct-to-home providers. In 2012, UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350 kHz was launched covering Mega Manila.

TV Verdade (English: Truth TV) was founded in 2009 airing O Caminho Antigo, the Portuguese version of Ang Dating Daan through local channels in Brazil. Later, TV Verdade became the "free television arm" of Members Church of God International when it was granted a permit by Ministério das Comunicações (English: Ministry of Communications) of Brazil to build and operate its own broadcast network. Currently, MCGI operates five relay stations in Minas Gerais, the second most populous state in Brazil. TV Verdade is currently rolling out more than 20 relay stations in the state of Paraná starting with the activation of its relay station in Cornélio Procópio. In 2012, the church launched TV La Verdad (English: Truth TV), its broadcast arm for Spanish-speaking countries airing the 24/7 broadcast of El Camino Antiguo in El Salvador.

Between 2010 and 2011, the church reached the airwaves of India, Uruguay, Argentina, Bolivia and Portugal by acquiring timeslots in local television channels. To further boost viewership, it acquired a 30-minute slot in Fox Channel which is carried by 50 cable networks in Central America and South America. Later, the airwaves of Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala were reached. In 2013, the program was aired in Mexico via Gala TV. It was followed by broadcasts in Dominican Republic, Spain, Equatorial Guinea and soon in Cuba.

Satellite broadcast

In 2004, MCGI tapped GlobeCast to air the TOP Channel in United States and Canada via a direct-to-home satellite broadcast. In 2010, it was aired in the Philippines via Dream Satellite TV. Currently, MCGI programs reach more than 70 countries in six inhabited continents via TV Verdade, TV La Verdad, The Truth Channel and UNTV using the services of at least seven satellite providers.

MCGI Worldwide Satellite TV Broadcast
1	SES NSS 806 (SES 6) Channel Band Position Frequency Polarity SR TV Verdade C Band FTA 40.5 ° W 4168 MHz Left (L) 2400-2/3 TV La Verdad C Band FTA 40.5 ° W 4178 MHz Left (L) 3200-3/4 North America | South America | Europe | North Africa
2	Galaxy 19 Channel Band Position Frequency Polarity SR The Truth TV (The Old Path) Ku Band 97 ° W 12060 MHz Horizontal (H) 22000-3/4 North America USA • Canada • Mexico • Saint Pierre & Miquelon Greenland | Central America Guatemala • Belize, Costa Rica • El Salvador Honduras • Nicaragua Panama • Caribbean • Antigua & Barbuda • Cuba Bahamas • Barbados • Dominican Republic • Dominica • Grenada • Haiti • Saint Kitts & Nevis Saint Lucia • Jamaica • Saint Vincent & The Grenadines • Aruba • Trinidad • Tobago, Anguilla • Bermuda Bonaire • Martinique Monsterrat • Saba • Navassa Island • Puerto Rico
3	Eutelsat Hotbird 13D (Hotbird 6/8/9) Channel Band Position Frequency Polarity SR The Old Path TV Ku Band 13.0° E 10815 MHz Horizontal (H) 27500-5/6 North America Morocco • Algeria • Western Sahara • Tunisia • Libya • Egypt | Western Asia Israel • Lebanon • Syria • Jordan • Turkey • Iraq • Saudi Arabia • U.A.E. • Bahrain • Qatar • Armenia • Azerbaijan • Georgia • Kuwait | Central Asia | South Asia | Europe | Western Russia | Northwestern China
4	Thaicom 5 Channel Band Position Frequency Polarity SR TV Verdade C Band 78.5 3551 MHz Horizontal (H) 13333-3/4 Asia | Europe | Australia | Africa
5	Star One C2 Channel Band Position Frequency Polarity SR TV Verdade C Band 70.0° W 3947 MHz Horizontal (H) 7200-2/3 South America Argentina • Bolivia • Brazil • Chile • Colombia • Ecuador • Guyana • Paraguay • Peru • Suriname • Uruguay • Venezuela & The Territories of Falkland Islands • French Guiana • South Georgia • South Sandwich Islands
6	Measat 3A Global Channel Band Position Frequency Polarity SR UNTV Life C Band FTA 91.5° E 3705 MHz Horizontal(H) 4290-3/4 ADD TV C Band Encrypted 91.5° E 3710 MHz Horizontal(H) 2860-3/4 Asia | Australia | Middle East | Europe | Africa ADD TV is exclusive for MCGI worship services not intended for FTA broadcast

Online media

In 1999, the church joined the world wide web when it launched the www.angdatingdaan.org with video streaming feature. Its English version www.theoldpath.tv went online in 2004. The international website of the church went online www.mcgi.org in 2009. In 2007, Eliseo Soriano published his offical blogsite, esoriano.wordpress.com and another blog, Controversy eXtraordinary (CX) in 2014. CX is an expository blog, in five languages, which tackles issues about religion. It has more than 4.5 million page views as of May 2016. In 2012, the church introduced the "MCGI Broadcast App" for Google Android and Apple iOS devices where viewers can watch its programs in four languages.

Print media

The church distributes print and digital materials for free. It publishes the "TOP Magazine", "Believer Newsmagazine" and a newspaper called "Magandang Balita" (English: Good News). Soriano's online blogs are also compiled and printed as "The Blog Magazine". The church has also been acknowledged by the Philippine Bible Society as a regular donor and major distribution partner of Tagalog Bibles. Copies of full-length Ang Dating Daan episodes are also distributed in DVD format.

Name

The church teaches that the true church in the Bible is the "Church of God" and the group After a protracted court case involving donations intended for the use of its orphanages being received by other groups using the same name, the Supreme Court of Tennessee determined that it alone was entitled to use the simple name Church of God in 1953. The group's legal name in the Philippine government is Members Church of God International in order to distinguish it from other bodies that use "Church of God" in their titles.

Beliefs and fundamental doctrines

God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Members Church of God International believes in the Almighty God, the Father, the begotten Son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost) citing Mat 28:19 and 2 Cor 13:14 but it adopts a nontrinitarianism orientation. The church rejects the traditional doctrine of trinity mainly on its concept that there is "one God in three co-equal persons", which for them, is against the Bible. The church believes that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are not perfectly equal with each other. The Father is greater than Jesus Christ as declared by Christ himself in John 14:28. He is the head of Christ (1 Cor 11:3)and greater than all (John 10:29). The Father and Christ are greater than the Holy Spirit which is being sent by the Father and Christ, based on John 13:16, which says that the one being sent is not greater than the one that sent him.

The Almighty God is also called as "God of Israel" citing Exo 5:1, the creator of the universe (Acts 14:15), with his Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:1–14). God cannot lie. God is not omniscient (he does not know ahead of time all future human actions and choices), and God is not omnipresent (he created hell but is not there).

Jesus Christ is the Father's only Begotten Son (in Romanized Greek: Monogenēs theos) as mentioned in John 1:18. For them, Christ is the Wonderful, Counselor, a true and Mighty God, Prince of Peace referred in Isa 9:6. He is the only savior of mankind and the only way to the kingdom of God in heaven (Acts 14:15, 1 Cor 8:5–7, John 14:6; 14:1). He is recognized as the Apostle, High Priest (Heb 3:1) and Mediator (1 Tim 2:5) of the church. They believe that Christ descended on earth from the bosom of the Father, suffered for the redemption of sin, died on the cross, resurrected after three days, ascended to heaven and sat on the right side of God. Christ is talking and acting according to the instruction of the Father (John 12:49; 5:19; 14:10). The church believes in the pre-existence of Jesus Christ in spirit before he was born and manifest in flesh and already teaching the prophets by his spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the "comforter" John 14:26, sent by the Father and Christ to give spiritual happiness, console a believer in times of persecution and trials and to help brethren in his or her weaknesses (Rom 8:26).

Prayer

Prayer is a basic doctrine in MCGI. All church gatherings, either spiritual or socio-civic, begin and end with prayers. The church believes that it is a commandment of God to live a prayerful life based on 1 The 5:17. Members were urged to pray for all the nations of the earth based on 1 Tim 2:1–3. Praying repetitiously is prohibited. To encourage its members to pray, MCGI launched an exclusive 24/7 prayer service website on March 6, 2011, enabling access to continuous singing of praises and hourly community prayer to God. They believe that it is prohibited to pray in public just to be seen (Mat 6:5). As a discipline, they refrain from showing the act of praying on television broadcasts, either live or recorded, in public. In November 2013, MCGI launched a community prayer service on UNTV Life and UNTV Radyo La Verdad 1350 kHz. However, only the audio of the community prayer is being aired, to encourage non-brethren to join and participate in praying to God, without necessarily being seen publicly.

Bible

MCGI believes that only the Bible or the Holy Scriptures, composed of 66 inspired books, teaches the full wisdom of God for the salvation of man and that no other books should be used as basis for serving God and Jesus Christ.

Relevance of the church

Members of the Church of God International believe that the church built by the Father through Jesus Christ is relevant to salvation. They also believe that the church has a vital influence in a person's thinking, character, priorities and beliefs.

The Church of God in the Bible

Jesus Christ established the church (Mat 16:18), the "Church of God" (2 Cor 1:1, 1 Tim 3:15), not his own but of the Father (Heb 3:4). It is the congregation of the apostles, prophets, teachers and others, and was first planted in the city of Jerusalem, where the preaching of salvation started (Luke 24:47), which was later on scattered and preached by the apostles in different parts of Asia Minor (Acts 8:1, Gal 1:22).

They believe that God is "calling" those people with determination to serve him, bringing them in his fold (1 Pet 1:15–16, 1 Cor 1:9; 1:2), teaching them righteousness after baptism, for their sins to be covered by the priceless blood of Christ poured in Mount Calvary, for the redemption of sin, to make them qualify for life eternal in heaven (Phi 1:27, Eph 2:10; 4:1; 4:10; 4:14).

MCGI teaches that Jesus Christ loved the church, sacrificed and gave himself for it, and he will save the church (Eph 5:23). Christ is the "head" of the "body" or the church (Col 1:18). Inside the Church of God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles teach the pure and undefiled religion, written as thrēskeia in the Greek Bible (pronounced as thrace-ki’-ah) which means "worshipping" or the observance of something related to worship. It is where the true religion and worship is being practiced.

People of God in the last days

Members of the Church of God International believe that prophecies written in the Bible are being fulfilled in our days, and the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus (Rev 19:10). They believe that there will be God's people at the time of the end or in the "last days", citing a prophecy written in Dan 12:4; 12:9–10. For the MCGI, the advent of the preaching of the "true church" among the Gentiles, referring to all nations outside of Israel (Eph 2:11–12), including the Philippines, is a fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy in Mal 1:11 which states that the name of the Lord God of Israel shall be great among the Gentiles, and will start "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same". The people of God will offer incense, not a literal incense, but "prayers" (Rev 5:8) to the God of Israel.

They also believe that the prophecies written in Isa 24:15 and Jer 30:19–24 were fulfilled in the Philippines and the Church of God International. Prophet Isaiah mentioned about people giving glory to the Lord God of Israel in the "coastlands of the sea in the east" (Revised Standard Version) and "isles of the sea in the east" (King James Version). The MCGI says that the Philippines is a nation with 7,107 islands, geographically located in the Far East direction in the Pacific Ocean, formerly called as "Las Islas Filipinas" (English: Philippine Islands) in honor of King Philip II of Spain. According to MCGI, it is the only country in Asia that believes in the Bible and that takes the Bible as the authority of their faith. Meanwhile, Jeremiah mentioned about people of God in the last days, who will come out with praises and thanksgiving unto the God of Israel, "their nobles shall be of themselves", and "their governor shall proceed from the midst of them". They "will start from few", but God promised that "I will multiply them" and "they shall not be small". They believe that prophet Jeremiah was ordained by the Lord as "prophet unto the nations" based on Jer 1:5.

The MCGI says that aside from starting as a small group in the "east" direction, it is the only congregation in the "last days" that offers a weekly sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the "God of Israel". Further, their overall servant came from among the group he leads and did not came from any other religious group and currently in the "west" to preach the gospel.

Members of the Church of God in Bible

They believe that Gentile nations including the Philippines, are partakers of the promise of eternal life (1 John 2:25), through belief in Jesus Christ and the gospel, but are not authorized by God to establish their own church, but mere members associated with the same body or church (Eph 3:6, Col 1:18, 1 Cor 12:27) written in the gospel, by accepting and executing the doctrines written by the apostles (1 John 1:3–4). The MCGI teaches that we are commanded by God to cleave with the right group (Rom 12:9), to have have fellowship (1 John 1:3–4) with God and Jesus Christ, and to disassociate ourselves with false preachers or groups, especially to idol worshippers, as mentioned in Rom 16:17–18 and 2 Cor 6:17.

The church mission

The MCGI believes that Jesus Christ delegated the task of preaching the Word of God, on a global scale, to his apostles based on Mat 28:19–20 and fulfilling this commandment is their primary objective. MCGI aims to propagate the gospel on earth until the consummation of the ages. They believe that only the church can teach the wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind citing Luke 8:1–3, Eph 3:10 and 2 Tim 3:14–17. They believe that this effort is geared towards converting sinners to believe and glorify God (Acts 2:38).

Draft

The MCGI believes that there will be people of God at the time of the end or in the "last days" citing Dan 12:4; 12:9–10, will start from the "east", where the rising of the sun commences. These people will offer incense, not a literal incense, but "prayers" to the Lord God of Israel based on Rev 5:8. For them, the advent of the preaching of the true church among the Gentiles, referring to all nations outside of Israel based on Eph 2:11–12, including the Philippines, is a fulfillment of a Biblical prophecy in Mal 1:11 which states that the name of the Lord God of Israel shall be great among the Gentiles, "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same". For them, the verse in Malachi can refer to the Far East direction", where the Philippines is located. Their publication also mentions Zec 8:7 as another prophesy about the people of God in the east. Though they accept that there are other countries located in the far east such as Japan and Indonesia, these countries do not believe in God of Israel. In Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism are prevalent while Indonesian population practices Islam. According to them, the Philippines is the only country in the Far East that takes the Bible as the authority of their faith, with people praying unto the God of Israel. They believe that God will be using "instruments" to establish God's people in the east, in preaching the truth, a "chosen vessel" like the one mentioned in the prophecy written in Acts 9:15). They believe that it was fulfilled in the person of Apostle Paul when he was commissioned by God as front runner of Christianity among the Gentiles in the early Christian dispensation (Acts 13:46–47), in nearby areas of the Holy Land, reaching as far as Greece. They believe that the prophecy in the book of Malachi speaks of "another vessel", like Apostle Paul, someone who will preach the greatness of the name of the God of Israel among the Gentiles in east, in those areas not physically reached by the Apostle Paul.

The church also believes that the prophecy written in Isaiah 24:15 was also fulfilled in the Philippines, formerly called as "Las Islas Filipinas" (English: Philippine islands) based on its geographical characteristics. The verse speaks about people giving glory to the Lord God of Israel in the "coastlands of the sea in the east" in RSV and "isles of the sea in the east" in KJV.

The MCGI recently discussed the fulfillment of another prophecy written in Jeremiah 30:19–24. The church believes that these passages include the Philippines based on Jeremiah 1:5, which describes prophet Jeremiah as ordained "prophet unto the nations", about people of God in the last days, will come out with praises and thanksgiving unto the God of Israel, "will start from few", but will not remain as such with God's promises such as "I will multiply them" and "they shall not be small". A 2016 publication of the church discussed other details of the prophecy, their "governor" and "nobles" will come from themselves, instruments of God who will lead them to be people of God. It is their belief that this was fulfilled in the person of Soriano who was born "inside", with his parents already members of the Church of God while its members are still few, and he did not come from any other religious group. When Nicolas Perez died, Soriano took the leadership.

Church mission

Members Church of God International believes that Jesus Christ delegated the task of preaching the Word of God, on a global scale, to his apostles based on Matthew 28:19–20 and fulfilling this commandment is their primary objective. MCGI aims to propagate the Gospel on earth until the consummation of the ages. They believe that only the church can teach the wisdom of God for the salvation of mankind citing Luke 8:1–3, Ephesians 3:10 and 2 Timothy 3:14–17. They believe that this effort is geared towards converting sinners to believe and glorify God (Acts 2:38).

Other religions

The MCGI teaches that many churches and religious organizations existing today are teaching erroneous concept of worship, headed by "blind" religious leaders as referred in Mat 15:14, teaching man-made thoughts, ideas, and teachings not in accordance with the teachings of God, making their followers also "blind," worshipping in vain. They believe that it is vital to be associated and cleave with the right group (Rom 12:9) to have have fellowship (1 John 1:3–4) with God and Jesus Christ. The MCGI teaches that we are commanded by God to disassociate ourselves with false preachers or groups, especially to idol worshippers, as mentioned in Rom 16:17–18 and 2 Cor 6:17.

Salvation outside the true church

(See main article)

Members Church of God International rejects the widespread belief of other religious groups that only members of the church will be saved. Instead, they believe that members of the true church should not judge those who are outside of the church, citing 1 Corinthians 5:13, which says the "God judges those outside." The MCGI teaches that the first step to salvation actually happens outside of the true church, when sinners were redeemed or saved from the power of "darkness" or satan, and translated to "light," the kingdom of the Son, Jesus Christ based on Colossians 1:12–14. For the MCGI, baptism is the formal act of affiliation or membership in the church. After baptism, a person is considered "inside" the church. MCGI supports this belief by referring to 1 Acts 10:45–48 wherein Gentiles, during the first century common era, received the Holy Spirit even before baptism, while still "outside" the church. They refer to this as the "salvation from sins and the power of darkness or of satan" and also called as the "salvation by grace, without works." mentioned in Ephesians 2:8–9 after being buried in sins while in darkness. They believe that people in the church are "saved" people, saved from the power of darkness or satan.

After being saved from the power of darkness, Christians are waiting for the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. They believe Christ will bring salvation, other than what they have experienced when they were saved from sins, the salvation from the wrath that is to come.

They believe that salvation from the wrath to come is not exclusive to those inside the true church, citing Jesus Christ' pronouncement in John 10:16 that he has "other sheep" that are not among the flock which refers to the Church of God (Acts 20:28) and Christ will save them also.

They believe that not all people, especially the Gentiles, will hear the teachings and the law of Christ before they die, non-members of the church, but will be justified, will be saved come judgment day, because they have done the good things of the law (Romans 2:13–14). Even those non-members who have done good to the brethren of Christ in the church are considered as "other sheep" are also qualified to salvation. A great multitude of people that will be saved cannot be counted by any human.

Salvation

They believe that o

Tithing

Tithing is not imposed, the heart should decide how much to give.

Death

The MCGI believes that upon death, physical body of a dead man can do nothing. Body made of dust will perish and will return to dust. They believe that the soul is not the spirit and the spirit is not the soul. MCGI considers the union of the flesh or dust from the ground with the breath of life as the "living soul." The entire being including emotions, memory and faculties is the "soul". If someone dies, the soul will be in the hands of God and will remain under God's power until the resurrection to face judgment. The spirit of a godly man will return to God while spirit of wicked man will be imprisoned until judgment day.

Eschatology

Members Church of God International believes that it is proper to say that Christ "will come again" or "will return" (Tagalog: "muling paririto", rather than using the terminology "second coming" (Tagalog: "ikalawang pagparito") which they consider a mistake by other religious denominations. They strongly believe that Christ came to the earth in many occasions already and his return is not the "second" based on 1 Cor 10:4–5. Before Christ was born in flesh by Mary, he already came during the time of Moses. When the Israelites left Egypt, while walking in the wilderness of Sinai, they become thirsty and got angry with Moses. For them not to die with thirst, a "stone" appeared where they drank, and that "rock" who saved them is Christ, watching for the welfare of the people of God.

The MCGI believes that those "signs" mentioned in Mat 24:1–8 will happen before the return of Christ and says most are currently happening. These include the proliferation of many "false preachers", who will come in the name of Christ and will deceive many, wars and rumors of wars will be heard, nation will rise against nation, occurrence of famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places which is called the "beginning of sorrows". Soriano teaches that the return of Christ will be "very near" once the final sign happens, the "great tribulation" mentioned in Mat 24:21–22. According to them, the final sign is yet to arrive but believes that it is fast approaching, will happen on a global scope, more terrible than any trouble happened since the beginning of the world and will not ever happen again. After the great tribulation, the "sun will be darkened, the "moon will not give its light" and "stars will fall from heaven" based on Mat 24:29. Immediately after the great tribulation Mat 24:32–33, Christ will descend from heaven and those righteous, those saints who died in Christ (Rev 20:4), will be resurrected first. Those righteous who are still alive will be caught up together with the resurrected saints in the clouds, to meet Jesus Christ in the air, to be with God forever (2 Thes 4:16–17). Christ will reign with his saints (Rev 20:4) for another 1,000 years. The remaining people on earth who are still alive, those who were not caught up in the air to meet Christ, will be given a chance to salvation. After the 1,000-year period, another resurrection will occur. God will then judge all people, the living and the dead on his appointed "judgment day" or the "last day", according to what they have done (Rev 20:11–13). Those who will not merit salvation will be thrown into the "lake of fire" (Tagalog: dagát-dagatang apóy), the "second death", the eternal punishment. After the judgment day will be the earth's destruction.

then followed by the destruction Rev 14:9 Prov 1:9 All eyes will see him, even the blind Rev 20:11 At judgment day, all eyes will see him. No more

2 Thes 4:16-17

Acts 17:31 Mat 25:21–22 Mat 25:21–22 Apoc 24 – 1 Thes 4:16 Before the coming of Christ Apoc 20:11 Judgement Day will be judged according to works. Type: 1 Pedro 4:17 already started judgment inside the house of God, the Church of God. Titus 3:10 – expulsion by Apostle Paul 1 Cor 5:13 Acts 17:31 5:28-29 Juan Isa 13:11 2 Tim 4:1 will judge the living and the dead Will face great tribulation with God. Rom 8:34 Should earn love from God. John 14:23

Satan

The MCGI believes that Satan was originally an angel of God who eventually wanted his thrown to be higher than God and be like the Almighty, with other angels also sided with him. Satan was able to enter the earth when its "owners", Adam and Eve let sin enter the world when they disobeyed God. Satan can freely go to and fro and walk up and down in the earth (Job 1:6–7). He is the "accuser" of the brethren before God day and night (Rev 12:10). He is called as the "great dragon" and the "old serpent", the deceiver of the whole world mentioned in Rev 12:9. For them, satan was already judged citing John 16:11. They believe that satan and his angels will be cast down to earth from heaven based on Rev 12:10 and this event is not yet fulfilled will only happen before the 1,000-year reign of Christ.

Practices

Ethics and morality

Members were taught to religiously and conscientiously follow the fundamental doctrines for Christians and righteousness as a way of life, to be law-abiding citizens, recognizing the fundamental laws of the land they live in citing Rom 13:1–7, 1 Pet 2:13 and Prov 8:15–16. Members are required to be modest in dress and grooming. Women are prohibited from cutting their hair and wearing expensive jewelry and tight pants, and men are prohibited from having long hair. They are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, using drugs, gambling and idolatry. Members and officers should not affiliate themselves to any revolutionary movements against the church administration and teaching doctrines contrary to the official doctrines of the Church of God. Participating in any hostile or subversive movements tending to achieve downfall of the government established in any country is strictly prohibited.

Married couple is commanded to live under God's law and keep marriage undefiled until death. Intentional divorce is prohibited. Officials of the organization should be loyal to their duties, set the whole church examples of true Christian living, in all the ways as in faith, in speaking, in livelihood, in love, in cleanliness and not self-willed. Suicide including euthanasia or mercy killing is considered to be murder and a sin against God.

Membership

Baptism is a key part in their doctrines. Membership is conferred through immersion baptism of adults. They believe that baptism is the way for the sinners to be covered by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ when he offered his body as ransom for sins and part of his commandment (Acts 2:38).

To join the organization, completion of indoctrination sessions is required, where lessons concerning church doctrines are being discussed in a recorded video by the Overall Servants of the church. Beginning February 2010, indoctrination sessions which used to last for a month were shortened to two weeks.

Indoctrinees must fully accept the doctrines taught during the indoctrination before they can be baptized. The church rejects infant baptism and believes that little children belongs to heaven.

Visitors and guests who are under indoctrination and not yet baptized in the church are allowed to attend regular church services and listen to the Biblical topics but are strictly prohibited from giving any monetary contributions.

Disciplinary action

Members who are not living in accordance with the church's teachings are being admonished and suspended. A suspended member may attend regular church gatherings, allowed to hear Biblical topics, giving brethren a chance to repent, though temporarily not allowed to give voluntary contributions pending reinstatement. Those who are deemed unrepentant and continue violating the church's doctrines such as being sexually immoral, greedy, idolater, slanderer, drunkard, swindler or rebellious against the church administration, after being admonished, are expelled or excommunicated based on Tit 3:10 and 1 Cor 5:11–13.

Membership

MCGI keeps a formal number of members but does not openly reveal it. Every baptized member should be registered in the church computer database and given an official church identification card (ID) and church ID number.

Thousands of local chapters are scattered throughout the Philippines and abroad because of increasing number of membership through mass baptisms, which gained an average of 5,000 quarterly. In 2015, more than 20,000 new members were added to the church through mass baptisms in different parts of the world.

Charities and outreach

The church established the Kamanggagawa Foundation in 2007 and Ang Dating Daan (ADD) Foundation International (ADDFI) in 2012 to provide various forms of support to the needy regardless of their religious affiliation. These non-sectarian and non-profit organizations are registered with the DSWD and SEC in the Philippines.

• Free education - In March 2005, MCGI established La Verdad Christian College (LVCC) in Apalit, Pampanga and another branch in Caloocan City, Metro Manila in June 2010. In 2011, La Verdad Schools in Ghana, Africa and Liberia were established with pioneer 115 kindergarten and grade school students. It is the only educational institution that provides its scholars with free tuition fee, meals, uniforms, books, school supplies and has no miscellaneous fees from kindergarten to tertiary levels to date. Unlike other schools, poor yet deserving students, even without high scholastic records, may qualify for the scholarship grant. In 2010, the church sponsored Dunong-Gulong (English: Wisdom on Wheels) project, a mobile classroom in a bus in partnership with UNTV and the DepEd which provides basic literacy to remote communities where access to formal educational systems is difficult. Also in partnership with UNTV and TESDA, the Manibela Academy (steering wheel or manibela in Tagalog) was launched, which provides training to competent public vehicle drivers as well as educating public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers so they can acquire the government-required proficiency standard certification. On Junuary 31, 2010, MCGI held Isang Araw Lang: Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo at SM Mall of Asia, a marathon-for-a-cause attended by 50,000 participants for the benefit of Kamanggagawa Foundation's free education project.
• News and rescue - Tulong Muna Bago Balita (English: Assist First, Report Later) was launched in July 2010 in partnership with UNTV. Reporters and correspondents were trained to assist during emergency and rescue cases and prioritize saving lives and giving first aid to victims. Currently, there are 15 news and rescue mobile units on call.
• Free medical and dental services - Clinic ni Kuya (Big Brother's Clinic) and Botika ni Kuya (Big Brother's Pharmacy) provides daily medical and dental services in partnership with UNTV in 12 permanent locations in the Philippines. With the help of volunteer doctors and medical staff, the clinic provides free medical services ranging from general medicine consultation, optometry, dental, ENT, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, dental and orthopedic. It also provides free medicines, prescription eyeglasses, dentures and free ambulance service during emergency cases. A total of 110,000 patients were served in 2014 and more than 126,000 in 2015.
• Regular medical missions - the church conducts regular medical missions in local communities and remote provinces through Mobile Health Clinics. These mobile clinics are equipped with medical instruments and x-ray machine. In February 2014, a total of 20,000 indigents were served during a one day simultaneous medical mission in 15 locations in partnership with the Rotary Club of the Philippines.
• Free legal services - Law Center ni Kuya (Big Brother's Law Center) provides free legal assistance with the help of volunteer lawyers and paralegals. Mobile "Justice on Wheels" program was also launched to bring the attorneys closer to the indigents' reach.
• Free transportation and communication - In 2007, Libreng Sakay (Free Ride) program was launched initially with two (2) buses and free MRT-3 rides for senior citizens. Later, it was expanded by offering free rides on jeepneys, minibus and sea crafts in the provinces and free airfare for distressed overseas workers returning to the Philippines.
• Transient Home - located inside the church headquarters in Apalit, the transient home provides temporary shelter for church members coming from provinces to attend church services
• Centers for youth and the elderly - orphanages were established in Pampanga, Laguna and Novaliches, Quezon City for senior citizens, disabled persons and children abandoned by their immediate family or has no capacity to take care of them. Their day-to-day necessities are provided for free such as food, shelter, medical service and assistance by social workers.
• Infant Care Center - inaugurated last November 4, 2012 in Apalit, Pampanga to take care of infants deliberately turned away by their parents due to financial, physical or psychological incapacities.
• Livelihood programs - Munting Pangarap (Simple Wish) Munting Pangarap (Small Wish) is a gift-giving project to poor members of the church requesting for capital in cash and/or kind to start a small business.
• Bloodletting programs - since the 1990s, MCGI actively participates in mass bloodletting initiatives in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Blood Center. MCGI posts a record of 11,930 units of blood donations in 2012.
• Programs for the elderly - the church partnered with major Philippine government agencies such as GSIS, SSS, DOH and PNP to give free services to the elderly held last June 25-26, 2014 at the World Trade Center. On July 2014, MCGI also relocated an adoption home for the elderly gays and lesbians from Pasay City to a bigger space in Brgy. Talipapa, Novaliches in partnership with Home for the Golden Gays and UNTV. Feeding programs are also
• Environment programs - volunteer members conduct regular clean-up drives in their local communities and tree-planting activities in various locations. On October 10, 2010, the MCGI launched "ADD-a-Tree" project, a global tree-planting drive in partnership with UNTV and DENR that aims to restore a greener earth by planting 50,000 fruit-bearing trees. Planters and volunteers will take care of these seedlings and monitor their growth.
• Fund-raising concerts -

Charities and outreach

MCGI believes that it is a responsibility of the church to reach out to people and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in order to fulfill Gal 6:10. In 2005, the church established the "Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel Foundation" It was followed by the establishment of the "Kamanggagawa Foundation" in 2007 and "Ang Dating Daan (ADD) Foundation International" in 2012 to provide various forms of support to the needy regardless of their religious affiliation. These non-sectarian and non-profit organizations are registered with the DSWD and SEC in the Philippines.

Brethren welfare

The "Lingap Kapatid Committee" (English: Brethren Welfare Committee, now known as "Lingap Kapatid Department", abbreviated as "LKD") was organized and established in 1997 to help all brethren in every aspect of living such as medical and legal assistance especially for the disabled, widows, senior citizens and orphans in the congregation. The "MCGI Transient Home" was built inside the church's headquarters in Pampanga to provide temporary shelter for church members coming from far provinces to attend church services.

Public Services

Free Education

The church offers free education. In March 2005, MCGI established La Verdad Christian College (LVCC) in Apalit, Pampanga and another branch in Caloocan City, Metro Manila in June 2010. In 2011, La Verdad Schools in Ghana and Liberia in Africa were established with pioneer 115 kindergarten and grade school students. La Verdad claims to be only educational institution that provides its scholars with free tuition fee, meals, uniforms, books, school supplies and has no miscellaneous fees from kindergarten to tertiary levels to date. Poor yet deserving students, even without high scholastic records, may qualify for the scholarship grant. On Junuary 31, 2010, MCGI held the Isang Araw Lang: Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo at SM Mall of Asia, a marathon-for-a-cause attended by 50,000 participants for the benefit of Kamanggagawa Foundation's free education project. In 2010, the church sponsored Dunong-Gulong (English: Wisdom on Wheels) project, a mobile classroom in a bus in partnership with UNTV and the DepEd which provides basic literacy to remote communities where access to formal educational systems is difficult.

Free medical and legal services

The church supports poor fellowmen with renal disease by providing free dialysis support. The church supports Clinic ni Kuya (English: Big Brother's Clinic) and Botika ni Kuya (English: Big Brother's Pharmacy) in providing daily medical services, ranging from general medicine consultation, optometry, dental, ENT, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, dental and orthopedic for free. It also provides free medicines, prescription eyeglasses, dentures and free ambulance service during emergency cases. With the help of volunteer doctors and medical staff in 12 permanent locations in the Philippines, a total of 110,000 patients were served in 2014 and more than 126,000 patients in 2015. The church also conducts regular medical missions in local communities and remote provinces through Mobile Health Clinics. These are equipped with medical instruments and x-ray machine. In February 2014, a total of 20,000 indigents were served during a one day simultaneous medical mission in 15 locations in partnership with the Rotary Club of the Philippines. The Law Center ni Kuya (English: Big Brother's Law Center) provides free legal assistance with the help of volunteer lawyers and paralegals. Mobile "Justice on Wheels" program was also launched to bring the attorneys closer to the indigents' reach.

Programs for childen, elderly and the handicapped

Orphanages were established in Pampanga, Laguna and Novaliches, Quezon City for senior citizens, disabled persons and children abandoned by their immediate family or has no capacity to take care of them. The church also launched the "Very Important Disabled Persons" or "VIDP's" which provides care and vocational training for the physically challenged. In 2004, the church launched "Lingap sa Kapwa Project", a program to feed more than a thousand poor and malnourished children in Payatas Elementary School in Quezon City. Later, it was expanded to children at the Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila. In November 2012, MCGI's Infant Care Center was inaugurated in Apalit, Pampanga to take care of infants deliberately turned away by their parents due to financial, physical or psychological incapacities. The church also partnered with major Philippine government agencies such as GSIS, SSS, DOH and PNP to give free services to the elderly held last June 25-26, 2014 at the World Trade Center. In July 2014, the church relocated an adoption home for the elderly gays and lesbians from Pasay City to a bigger space in Brgy. Talipapa, Novaliches in partnership with Home for the Golden Gays and UNTV.

Free transport services

In 2007, MCGI and UNTV launched Libreng Sakay (English: Free Ride) program, initially with two (2) buses in Metro Manila, and free rides in MRT-3 for senior citizens. Later, it was expanded by offering free rides on jeepneys, minibus and sea crafts in the provinces and free airfare for distressed overseas workers returning to the Philippines.

News and rescue

The Tulong Muna Bago Balita (English: Assist First, Report Later) was launched in July 2010. UNTV reporters and correspondents were trained to assist during emergency and rescue cases and prioritize saving lives and giving first aid to victims. Currently, there are 15 news and rescue mobile units on call. In August 2015, UNTV and MCGI launched "911-UNTV" or "911-8688", a new hotline for emergency situations with hundreds of new UNTV rescuers a

Disaster relief operations

Immediately after the Philippines was struck by super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), MCGI set-up the ADD and UNTV Camp to provide ready-to-eat food and relief packs for typhoon survivors in Tacloban City, Leyte. The church administration sent six generator sets including fuel to power the camp's operations.

Livelihood programs

MCGI supports the Munting Pangarap (English: Simple Wish) gift-giving project to poor members of the church requesting for capital in cash and/or kind to start a small business. The program also encourages its successful beneficiaries to also extend help to other brethren.

Bloodletting programs

Since the 1990s, MCGI actively participates in mass bloodletting initiatives in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Blood Center. MCGI posts a record of 11,930 units of blood donations in 2012.

Environment programs

Volunteer members of the church conduct regular clean-up drives in their local communities and tree-planting activities in various locations. On October 10, 2010, the MCGI launched "ADD-a-Tree" project, a global tree-planting drive in partnership with UNTV and DENR which aims to restore a greener earth by planting at least 50,000 fruit-bearing trees. Planters and volunteers will take care of these seedlings and monitor their growth.

Charities and outreach v3

The church has been active in humanitarian aid through its charitable institutions. In 1997, the Lingap Kapatid Committee (English: Brethren Welfare), now known as Lingap Kapatid Department, to provide assistance to needy members of the church. In 2005, the Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel Foundation was established. The Kamanggagawa Foundation was registered with the Philippine government in 2007. The church also registered the ADD Foundation in 2012. These non-sectarian and non-profit organizations provide various forms of support to the needy. The church also launched the Munting Pangarap (English: Simple Wish) livelihood program, where brethren can request for initial capital to start a small business. It also provides special care and vocational training for the physically challenged. Built inside its headquarters is a "transient home" which serves as temporary shelter for brethren coming from far provinces.

Education

In March 2005, La Verdad Christian College (LVCC) was established in Apalit, Pampanga. It claims to be the only educational institution with no tuition and other miscellaneous fees aside from free meals, uniforms, books and school supplies from kindergarten to college. In 2010, LVCC branch was inaugurated in Caloocan City while La Verdad schools in Ghana and Liberia in Africa were opened in 2011. To support this endeavor, MCGI held the Isang Araw Lang: Takbo para sa Libreng Kolehiyo at the SM Mall of Asia grounds on Junuary 31, 2010, a marathon-for-a-cause attended by more than 50,000 participants.

Medical and dental services

MCGI offers free dialysis support to patients with renal diseases. It has established clinics in 12 permanent locations, offering daily medical assistance for free such as general medicine consultation, optometry, gynecology, pediatrics, dermatology, orthopedic and dental services. Free medicines, prescription eyeglasses, dentures and ambulance services are also provided. It reported more than 110,000 patients served in 2014 and more than 126,000 patients in 2015. The church also conducts regular medical missions in local communities and remote provinces through Mobile Health Clinics. These are equipped with basic medical instruments and x-ray machine. In February 2014, a one-day simultaneous medical mission held in 15 locations served more than 20,000 indigents, in partnership with Rotary Club of the Philippines. The church also provides free legal assistance with the help of its volunteer lawyers.

Programs for children and the elderly

The church also runs orphanages in Pampanga, Laguna and Quezon City for senior citizens, disabled persons and children who were abandoned by their immediate family. In 2004, a continuous feeding program for malnourished children were launched in Payatas Elementary School in Quezon City and Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila. In November 2012, MCGI's Infant Care Center was inaugurated in Apalit, Pampanga to take care of infants deliberately turned away by their parents. In July 2014, MCGI also turned-over a bigger adoption area for the elderly gays and lesbians in Talipapa, Novaliches in partnership with Home for the Golden Gays and UNTV-37.

Transportation and rescue services

The Libreng Sakay (English: Free Ride) program was started in 2007, initially with two buses in Metro Manila. It also offered free rides for senior citizens in MRT-3. It was expanded by offering free rides on jeepneys, minibus and sea crafts in the provinces and free airfare for distressed overseas workers returning to the Philippines. In July 2010, Tulong Muna Bago Balita (English: Assist First, Report Later) advocacy was launched in partnership with its broadcast media arm, UNTV-37. News reporters and correspondents were trained to assist during emergency cases and prioritize saving lives and giving first aid to victims rather than reporting it first. Currently, the station has 15 news and rescue mobile units on call. The program was expanded in August 2015 with additional rescuers and a new hotline number "911-UNTV" or "911-8688" for emergency cases.

Disaster relief operations

Immediately after the Philippines was hit by super typhoon Haiyan also known as "Yolanda" in 2013, the church immediately set-up a campsite to provide ready-to-eat food and relief packs for the typhoon survivors in Tacloban City, Leyte. In 2014, MCGI teamed up with Equinet Architectural and Engineering Support, Inc. for the construction of deep well systems in 100 locations in the Visayas heavily-damaged by the typhoon.

Bloodletting programs

Since the 1990s, MCGI actively participates in mass bloodletting programs in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Blood Center. The church is a recipient of the Dugong Bayani Award for its record of 11,930 units of blood donations in 2012.

Environment programs

The church conducts regular clean-up drives and tree-planting activities in local communities. On October 10, 2010, the "ADD-a-Tree" project was launched in partnership with UNTV and DENR. The event successfully planted more than 50,000 fruit-bearing trees.

Worship and church gatherings

The congregation meets at least three sessions each week. Meetings are held at MCGI convention centers and monitoring centers, which are typically functional in character, and do not contain religious symbols except for the church logo and reminders for non-members that are prominently displayed. Gatherings are opened and closed with congregational singing of hymns led by the choir and brief prayers. The subject matter for most meetings is the same worldwide. Brethren kneel in prayer while guests are free to stay in their seats. They believe that Christian believers should always attend religious gatherings.

Prayer meeting and worship service

Prayer meetings are held midweek and worship services are held during weekends. In 2011, a Bible-reading segment was added where a chapter or two of the Bible is being read. Meetings are devoted to the study of a Biblical topic, divided in portions, and will be continued in succeeding meetings. Once a month, the congregation gather for a "special" prayer meeting, where a Biblical topic is discussed in full. The prayer meeting has the same format with the worship service except that there are no voluntary contributions during prayer meetings.

Thanksgiving and special events

The church offers a weekly "Thanksgiving to God" (Tagalog: "Pasalamat sa Dios"). Brethren who have prepared themselves to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving will be singing songs of praises live on stage at the ADD Convention Center or at the nearest local church. A Biblical topic will be delivered in full by the Overall Servants followed by a consultation period during food breaks. Every quarter of each year, the congregation gather for a three-day "International Thanksgiving to God (ITG)", also known in Tagalog as "Pasalamat ng Katawan (PNK)" (English: "Thanksgiving of the Body"). It has a similar format with the weekly thanksgiving except it allows more time for the Biblical topic and the consultation. In 2014, South America served as the host country of the church's quarterly event. The church celebrates "Christian New Year" with a special thanksgiving every first of Nisan, using the Hebrew calendar, which falls around April. The church also commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus Christ every 13th of Nisan.

Places of worship

Main article: ADD Convention Center

The 10-hectare Ang Dating Daan (ADD) compound in Apalit, Pampanga is MCGI's headquarters in the Philippines. It houses the ADD Convention Center where major church gatherings are held and the chapel, a multipurpose venue for the community prayer, indoctrination sessions, prayer meetings and worship services. Other structures inside the compound include the baptistry, administration office, museum, transient home, orphanages, mini-hospital, dormitories for church officers and volunteers, houses for church ministers and workers and school buildings of La Verdad Christian College.

As of 2015, MCGI has established more than 1,360 local congregations, up from 1,280 reported in 2014. It is where the brethren meet to attend church gatherings and host indoctrination sessions. These venues are also called the Ang Dating Daan Coordinating Centers or MCGI Satellite Monitoring Centers. Most of the sites are rented spaces in urban and rural communities in the Philippines and abroad. Equipped with C-band satellite dish antenna and high-speed broadband connection, these sites are able to receive real-time broadcast feeds emanating from the headquarters. Assigned church workers and officers oversee activities at the locale and receive queries regarding membership in the church. In 2012, a mobile coordinating center was launched. A bus transformed into a cozy venue with roof, chairs, television screen and satellite receiver, can accommodate guests in remote areas during Bible Expositions.

Criticism

Main article: Conflicts between Iglesia ni Cristo and Members Church of God International

Since 1980, there have been doctrinal conflicts between Philippine religious organization Iglesia ni Cristo ("Church of Christ" or "INC"), established in 1914, and the Members Church of God International, when MCGI Overall Servant Eliseo Soriano started his radio program Ang Dating Daan (ADD). On this program, Soriano discussed biblical issues, "exposed" what he believes are wrong doctrines of other religious groups, and spontaneously answer random questions from the audience, including those related to INC's doctrines. In 2001, after 21 years of reticence, the INC launched its own radio and television program, Ang Tamang Daan (English: The Right Path), as a direct response for the first time to the Ang Dating Daan. The program hosted by INC ministers tackled the issues raised by Soriano in his program by airing video clips and recordings of previously-aired ADD episodes. Numerous libel cases were filed by the INC against Soriano. Some were already resolve while some are still pending in courts. In 2005, Soriano placed a full-page advertisement in the national newspaper, The Manila Times, formally asking INC's Executive Minister then, Eraño G. Manalo, for a formal doctrinal debate in their respective television stations for a closure. However, the INC formally declined through their program Ang Tamang Daan, stating that their Executive Minister will face Soriano with the condition that Soriano have to debate first with the head of the Roman Catholic Church's then, Pope Benedict XVI.

In 2005, televangelist Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was irked by the

Records

The Ang Dating Daan Chorale of the MCGI officially broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the Largest Gospel Choir category on October 12, 2015 with 8,688 choir members. The ADD Chorale render songs of praises during the 35th anniversary of MCGI's Ang Dating Daan religious program at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The previous record holder was the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Centennial Choir with 4,745 participants during the INC centennial celebration at the Philippine Arena held on July 27, 2014.

External links

• Official website of Eli Soriano
• Official website of Ang Dating Daan TV program
• Official website of Daniel Razon

Category:Christianity in the Philippines Category:Nontrinitarian denominations Category:Religious organizations established in 1977 Category:1977 establishments in the Philippines