The Church of God Honored With the Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic of Peru

The Church of God has been honored with the Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic of Peru (Medalla de Honor del Congreso de la República del Perú). This accolade is awarded to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the country’s development and progress. Among the five grades of the Peru’s Congressional Medal of Honors, the “Comendador” (Commander) grade awarded to the Church of God is the highest grade an organization can receive.

On July 25 at 3 p.m. local time, the Peruvian Congress held a Medal of Honor Award Ceremony at its building in Lima. The event was attended by President of the Congress Alejandro Soto Reyes, various congressional members from different parties, and pastoral staff members from the Church of God in Peru and neighboring countries. During his speech, Mr. Reyes lauded the Church of God for its altruistic efforts, remarking, “The Church of God has been dedicated to social volunteer service across Peru for over 20 years, playing a crucial role in our society.” Following the address, Mr. Reyes presented the medal and certificate to the Church of God General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol, eliciting a standing ovation from the audience.

General Pastor Kim expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am profoundly thankful to God Elohim, the Congress and the people of Peru for this significant honor.” He continued, “For 60 years, the Church of God has embodied the love of God the Father and God the Mother, extending love and hope to communities worldwide. We will continue to strengthen our mutually beneficial relationship with Peru and, in solidarity with communities worldwide, work toward achieving sustainable development and a peaceful future.”

Following the award ceremony, the Church of God Messiah Orchestra, which came from Korea, delivered a celebratory concert with its choir as part of a cultural exchange initiative. Attending members of the Congress also offered their congratulations. Congressman Jose Williams Zapata commended the church for its noble efforts, stating, “The Church of God has partnered with various regions in Peru to support vulnerable communities and continues its commendable work.” Congresswoman Francis Jhasmina Castro echoed these sentiments, adding, “The Church of God has made invaluable contributions to Peru. In addition to celebrating this award, we honor its 60th anniversary and support its mission to share the love of God the Father and God the Mother with not only Peru but all of humanity.”

The Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic of Peru undergoes a rigorous public review by the committee that includes the President and Vice Presidents of Congress, and must receive approval from a majority of Congress members to be awarded. Since its inception in 1964, the medal has been granted to a variety of distinguished individuals, including former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, several presidents, Nobel laureates, and former Presidents of the Peruvian Congress. This marks the first occasion that a religious organization has been honored with this prestigious award.

Since its establishment in Peru in 1998, the Church of God has been a proactive force in supporting communities during both crises and normal times. Their assistance has extended from the capital, Lima, to remote villages in the Andes, addressing needs arising from events such as the El Niño floods, the Ubinas volcano eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past 25 years, the church has organized approximately 1,350 social voluntary service activities, including emergency relief, blood drives, environmental protection, and support for underprivileged groups, involving nearly 110,000 participants as of June 2024.

The recent award of the Congressional Medal of Honor to the Church of God highlights the broad acknowledgment of its efforts in advancing volunteerism. The honor was conferred following recommendations from three sitting members of Congress and 82 mayors and district heads who have witnessed the church’s impactful activities. Furthermore, the Church of God has accumulated over 200 commendations from the Peruvian government, local authorities, and private organizations. These include awards from the President of Congress, various legislators, ministers, mayors, and honorary medals from municipalities.

The Church of God has garnered over 4,700 awards from governments, institutions, and non-governmental organizations worldwide. These include prestigious honors such as The Presidential Awards from three Korean Administrations, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service from the UK, The President’s Volunteer Service Award from the U.S., and The Legislative Merit Medal of Brazil. These accolades underscore the global recognition of the church’s significant contributions. In celebration of its 60th anniversary, the Church of God plans to intensify its global outreach through its “Global Hope Challenge,” aiming to broaden its volunteer activities and further exemplify the love of God Elohim.

카카오톡 공유하기