Changwon city introduced in its newspaper the Church of God's support activities at the 42nd provincial athletic meeting held in Gyeongsangnam-do from May 1 to 4, with related photos. This paper reported that Changwon city won the victory thanks to the unequaled supporters of the Church of God; this was the city's third victory in succession.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

The reason why the members of Church of God supported 700 athletes of Changwon city was because of the city's request. On April 22, Changwon city officially requested that Church of God support her to win three consecutive games. Church of God in Gyeongsangnam-do area granted this request willingly in the thought of participating in a big event of the society.

The athletic meeting is yearly sport event for the unification of the provincial inhabitants; athletes from all cities in Geongsangnam-do province gather and build friendship through sports. For such an important event Changwon city hoped Church of God would support them, for they knew the support activities of the Church of God at the last Busan Asian Games and the FESPIC Games. As that time, several events were held in Changwon city and they observed the Church of God's enthusiastic support that enlivened the stadium. This year, Changwon city felt keenly the necessity of the Church of God's help to achieve its goal and officially requested them.

Over 300 members volunteered to support the city for 2 days, even altering the church schedule. Changwon city supplied the supporters with meals, transportation and cheering instruments, and the church prepared placards, pickets and cheering uniforms.

On that day, the supporters' systematic cheering made an deep impression on the officials from the other cities as well as Changwon city staffs; an amateur football team of Changwon city was encouraged by the supporters and won the unexpected victory by the score of 2 to 1.

ⓒ 2003 WATV

Now, it is said that Changwon city are receiving a flood of letters from various groups asking for Church of God's support.

Seok Ho-yeong, Pastor of Church of God, who led the supporters, said, "We positively participated in the Athletic Meeting, for we are also members of the city. We wanted to show that our church shares all things with our neighbors." And he added, "It is important for believers to show good examples to neighbors and society by godly and faithful life."