ⓒ 2004 WATV

On September 23, KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) recorded a program, "KBS Nationwide Song Contest" on video tape at the edge of the water of the Nakdong River in Chilgok-gun from 1pm to 3pm. About 30 members of the Church of God, who were at the telerecording scene, voluntarily cleaned up the area after the recording and received an unexpected plaque of thanks from the Chilgok County Headman.

At first, the KBS program was planned to be recorded on Saturday, September 18. As known, the Church of God keeps the Sabbath on every Saturday and the Church members in Waegwan could not attend their village festival because of their worship service. But suddenly the program's telerecording schedule was changed to September 23, and the Church members could participated in their village's big event with gladness so that they could be a help to their neighbors.

The telerecording was finished at 3:20 pm. As the audiences left, the place turned out to be a huge trash can. Of course, officially hired rubbish gatherers were supposed to be put into the spot. However, the Church members could not just see the waste. They voluntarily began to pick up the thrown waste. From a woman member carrying her baby on her back to a child, all the members cleaned the spot, smiling brightly.

Concerned officials, watching them in a distance, came to know that they were the members of the Church of God, and one of them promised to give a prize to a woman member who diligently picked up the trash with her baby on her back.

However, the woman member refused her prize, saying, "I've only practiced God's teaching. It is not worthy of a prize." Hearing her, the government decided to give a plaque of thanks to the Church which the thirty members belonged to.

ⓒ 2004 WATV

On October 4, a plaque of thanks was given to the Church of God in Waegwan through a awarding ceremony, in which about 500 Chilgok county officials took part including County Headman. This awarding ceremony was held to present plaques of thanks to those who contributed to the development of the county. On behalf of the Church and the members, Pastor Gi Dok Kim received a plaque of thanks from the Chilgok County Headman Sang Do Bae, on which it is written, "This Plaque of Thanks is given to the Church of God in Waegwan for the Church has contributed to the development of the county and strengthened the unity of the county people by promoting the KBS program, "KBS Nationwide Song Contest"

The County Headman Bae repeatedly expressed his thanks to the Church during the ceremony and afterwards he sent a letter of thanks. It was not only for the Church members' good deeds at the KBS program, but for their warmheartedness towards the seniors suffering Alzheimer's and paralysis; the members delivered detergents to a home for these seniors.

The Church of God in Waegwan ever received a letter of thanks from Eu Geun Lee the Governor of Gyeongsang North Province for their good deeds of visiting the home for seniors, and at that time the Director of the home thanked the members, saying, "Nowadays helping hands are rare. No one brings even a diaper. Thank you very much for your warm hearts and gifts."

These are not all of the secret good deeds of the Waegwan Church. In June, they helped a family whose house was burnt down; they provided a place the family could live in and every household utensil and electric appliance.

Pastor Kim said, "We give thanks to God for giving us opportunities to reveal God's glory by our small good deeds. This Plaque of Thanks could be given to us by the counsel of God who supervises all things of the world. We think God allowed this award to encourage us to continue to serve our neighbors. We will love our neighbor in need and deliver the aroma of Christ to them."