With the start of the month-long observance of National Blood Donor Month, the Pentecostal Missionary Society of Christ (Fourth Watch) or PMCC (Fourth Watch) reaffirmed the importance of blood donation at its National Bloodletting Event last July 8. The importance of saving lives.
The blood drive was launched at the Philippine Red Cross Headquarters in Mandaluyong, and was held in Cavite, Quezon, Mindoro, Aklan, Bacolod, Davao and Metro Manila in the Philippines on 30 occasions. locations simultaneously. A total of more than 4,000 blood bags were collected from these provinces during the nationwide campaign.
Bloodletting has also been performed around the world in cities across North America, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.
Church Chief Executive Minister Apostle Arsenio T. Ferriol and Deputy Executive Minister Bishop Jonathan Ferriol with Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang (Gwendolyn Pang) together led the launch of the national bloodletting campaign. Local government units and advocates also expressed support for the church’s blood drive.
Bishop Ferriol underlined the Church’s important responsibility to improve the lives of everyone in the community. “As PMCC (Fourth Watch), we strongly believe that churches play a vital role as partners within the community, committed to bringing about positive change and meeting people’s needs,” he said.
For its part, PMCC (4th Watch) has formed partnerships with local governments, community leaders and organizations such as the Philippine Red Cross to strengthen the church’s nationwide outreach efforts. The Church also opens its outreach activities to the public, regardless of religion.
“Our goal is to unite Filipinos in working together to create a healthier and more vibrant community that highlights the values embodied by Jesus Christ, including compassion, service and community,” Bishop Ferriol explained.
Then-President Fidel V. Ramos proclaimed July National Blood Donor Month under Proclamation No. 1021, signed June 9, 1977, to raise awareness of the importance of blood transfusions and encourage more Many Filipinos donate blood.
Bishop Ferriol noted the link between the life-giving nature of blood donation and the transformative power of the Gospel. “The aim of both these efforts is to bring new life, whether through spiritual nourishment from the Word or physical rejuvenation through blood transfusions,” he explained.
The church’s blood drive is also part of its ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, which include another series of medical missions to underserved communities in the Philippines, as well as a number of prayer and healing events around the world. It will culminate with the International General Assembly and Golden Anniversary Celebration on August 27 at the new Clark City Track in La Capaz.
Bishop Ferriol insisted, however, that the church’s milestones are no reason to boast. “It reminds us of our responsibility to give back to the communities that have supported us and worked with us over the years,” he said.
