In a heartwarming gesture of seasonal goodwill, the Women's Ministry of Gateway International Church (GIC) has brought festive cheer to about thirty widows. The special Christmas outreach program distributed essential food items and cash gifts to ease the beneficiaries' burdens during the Yuletide period.
Timely Support for Widows During Festive Season
The beneficiaries, selected from various groups within the church ministry, received their packages during a brief ceremony held last Sunday. The support packs included staples like rice and beans, cooking essentials such as vegetable oil and salt, alongside monetary gifts.
The widows expressed profound gratitude for the timely intervention. They described the gesture as both uplifting and a significant relief, offering prayers for the church leadership and its members. They specifically thanked the Lead Pastor, George Izunwa, and Dr. Manuela Izunwa, for what they called purposeful leadership and consistent teachings on compassion and service to humanity.
Driven by Compassion and Year-Round Vision
Addressing the gathering, the President of the GIC Women's Ministry, Meg Lawal, explained the motivation behind the outreach. She stated it was aimed at identifying with widows, particularly during a period often marked by heightened economic pressure and emotional strain.
Lawal emphasized that this intervention was solely driven and executed by the Women's Ministry. She highlighted that the church runs several initiatives throughout the year focused on empowerment, poverty alleviation, and community support. One of the church's flagship programs is the Random Acts of Kindness (ROAK) project. Through ROAK, various church departments, house fellowships, groups, and the entire congregation carry out humanitarian activities in communities, markets, and streets.
Prayers and Continued Commitment
Lawal said the women were motivated by a simple desire to put smiles on the faces of the widows this Christmas. She reassured them of the church's continued support and solidarity. She offered prayers for the widows and their children, asking for joy, stability, and success to remain in their homes. She also urged the beneficiaries to continue praying for those who made the outreach possible.
Following the event, executive members of the Women's Ministry paid a courtesy visit to Lead Pastor George Izunwa. They expressed appreciation for his unwavering support, encouragement, and teachings on impactful service.
In his response, Pastor Izunwa gave thanks to God and commended the Women's Ministry for its commitment and for faithfully advancing the vision of the church. He urged the women to remain steadfast in their good works and prayed for God's abundant blessings upon them and their initiatives.
