Pacquiao Leads Celebration of His Christian Group’s Third Anniversary

Davao City(PNA) — The Word for Everyone Movement Inc., the Christian group formed by eight-division world boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, celebrated its third year anniversary Sunday (Oct. 11) in General Santos City.

The celebration was attended by more than 1,000 members including those from Davao and Digos City. It was held, however, at their “small” church along Mercado St., Aparente Avenue (Dadiangas Heights). It is located near the group’s two-storey church building that is still under construction and at the back of the MP Hotel.

Pastor Rexcel Neri, younger brother of Pacquiao’s assistant trainer and dietician Nonoy, led the praise and worship during the program.

Major Amir Tsarfati from Tel Aviv, Israel was the guest speaker while Bishop Noel Pantoja, national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, gave a congratulatory message.

Pacquiao, already an evangelist, led the communion together with Rev. Dr. Bautista “Boy” Buan. Pacquiao also gave his own message and the closing prayer before he left for New York aboard a private jet plane to receive his award in the 2015 Asia Game Changer Awards Dinner and Celebration on October 13 at the U.N. Headquarters.

He also had just arrived from Doha, Qatar to grace the on-going AIBA World Boxing Championships at the classy Ali Hamad Al Attiya Arena. His wife, Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao and their children also rendered a special number during the celebration of their church anniversary.

The still under construction church building, which will have a Bible sanctuary, a tennis court and picnic grounds, is expected to be completed this December. At least 1,000 to 2,000 people can be accommodated.

Pacquiao, a re-elected Representative of Sarangani Province, earlier left the Catholic Church for Evangelical Christianity. His new found faith has changed his life in many ways and now seeks God’s will in all of his endeavors and lives in accordance with the Bible’s teachings.

Pacquiao was once quoted as saying that he used to pray a lot even before he was born again but he was still doing many wrong things such as drinking, committing adultery and gambling.

He said the Bible taught him to follow God’s commandments and how he can achieve eternal life.

Pacquiao earlier said that he was happy with his new found faith. “I found the right way, salvation, being born again,” he said.

“Christ said unless we are born again, we cannot enter the kingdom of God, so it’s very important to me,” he said. (PNA) LAP/LCM/LOLITO T. DELOS REYES/LDP