MANILA, Philippines — The religious group Jesus Is Lord (JIL) Church Worldwide celebrated its 41st founding anniversary yesterday at the Rizal Park in Manila with the theme “One in Christ” that was attended by thousands of church members and some politicians.
JIL founder and House Deputy Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva urged their brethren and the public to act as one and be united with Christ.
“Let us all be one in Christ,” said Villanueva, representative of the CIBAC party-list.
Those who attended the anniversary included Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Joel Villanueva, Mayor Joni Tugna of Bocaue, Reverend Mike McKinney and JIL representatives from 60 countries.
In her welcome remarks, Tugna greeted thousands of JIL followers as she assured them of a strong foundation of their church and the overflowing blessings from Christ.
Rep. Domingo Rivera, also of CIBAC party-list group, read a draft resolution of the House of Representatives commending their contribution to the Philippines and holistic commitment to the Filipino people all over the world.
Senator Villanueva also read a Senate resolution commending and recognizing their 41st founding anniversary.
Villanueva cited Sotto, whom he called a fighter who fought against the passage of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) bill.
“When it comes to moral issues, he does not compromise God’s will for our beloved country. Remember the SOGIE bill last Congress? We really debated,” Villanueva said in Engish and Filipino.
Shortly after reading the resolution, the elder Villanueva prayed over Sotto and offered prayers for the strong foundation and unity of the three branches of government.
Sens. Sonny Angara and Sherwin Gatchalian also extended their greetings and congratulations to the JIL for reaching 41 years of serving the people and honing the country’s moral values.
Villanueva founded the JIL in 1978 when he was a professor of the Economics at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and started spreading the word of Christ, first to a group of 15 students until the numbers reached hundreds of thousands.
On Sept. 9, 1978, Villanueva’s group was named Jesus is Lord Fellowship and started spreading the word of Christ and his ministry became an instrument of miracles and instantaneous healings.
Since then, JIL’s membership has expanded to more than 60 countries with chapters in Europe, Australia, the Americas, Middle East, Africa, and other neighboring Asian countries.
JIL is also reaching out to millions of their followers through its television networks (Light TV and God’s Channel of Blessing), radio stations, literature, video ministries, social media platforms and through its I-Care and the JIL Christian School campuses, JIL Colleges Foundation, Inc.