Shinceonji Church of Jesus, a global church with branches in more than 100 countries, recently held a successful blood drive in Gqeberha in partnership with the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). The initiative was part of the church’s ongoing commitment to community service and development.
Shincheonji’s Gqeberha branch, located in North End, comprises over 600 members, many of whom participate in the church’s volunteer group, Shincheonji Volunteers.
This dedicated team has been involved in a range of community service projects, including distributing sanitary towels in informal settlements, donating stationery packs to Ben Sinuka Primary School, and providing food parcels to Sinethemba Children’s Care Centre.
The church has a history of promoting blood donation, and even holds a Guinness World Record for having the most people sign up as blood donors online within 24 hours. This commitment was evident in their recent blood drive, when church members and the public gathered to donate blood at several locations throughout Gqeberha, including Walmer Park Shopping Centre, The Bridge, The Boardwalk, and Provincial Hospital.
According to church leaders, the blood drive was a major success, attracting both experienced and many first-time donors. The latter credited their involvement in Shincheonji’s volunteering work with helping overcome their fear about donating blood.
An SANBS staff member present at the event remarked on Shincheonji’s commitment to supporting the blood drive.
“Shincheonji has been one of the most amazing places that I have been to in my line of work. I think Shincheonji has done an outstanding job with regard to helping people, and the SANBS, to get blood.”
He also encouraged the church to continue its efforts to support and save lives.
Looking ahead, Shincheonji Church of Jesus plans to expand its collaborations with other organisations and local community leaders.
The church is eager to support additional community development projects and initiatives, and it hopes to inspire other groups in Gqeberha to get involved in supporting the less fortunate.
