Criticized, slandered, persecuted, ridiculed, imperfect, made mistakes in trying to get it right… yet I owe my life and happiness to its work. I’m not a fanatic, nor do I put the institution above my relationship with God (after all they taught me what’s right.) But it was through the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, in 1985, that I found God and since then I became whole. On July 9^th, 2012, The UCKG completed 35 years of existence. I decided to write my manifesto of 35 reasons (though I could add more) of why I love this church.

Here goes:

1. From the moment I needed it, from the first Friday that I stepped into The UCKG in Lapa, Sao Paulo, it always had its doors open to me. Every day.
2. Because I wasn’t discriminated for being catholic when welcomed me
3. Because they gave me a word of hope when there I had none
4. Because their Pastors literally give their lives for people
5. It’s truly a University of Life – things I found there I didn’t find anywhere else
6. Through it my family found salvation
7. For the fearless fight it puts up against evil forces, in the front line, every day
8. Because it doesn’t accumulate riches but invests in advertising the gospel
9. Because it teaches the truth whether people like it or not
10. Because it’s not after church with the most members, but Christians of quality
11. Because it esteems people’s salvation above everything
12. Because its Pastors are brave and not don’t scare off
13. Because it learns through its mistakes and moves forward getting better everyday
14. Because it doesn’t tolerate bad pastors that are dishonest with God and with their sheep
15. Because it is always one, wherever it goes there is: one spirit, one faith, one God, one idea
16. Because it teaches intelligent faith
17. It doesn’t cheat people through emotions
18. Because it’s active 24 hours, saving souls somewhere, serving God in some way
19. Because its leader doesn’t seek glory, but seeks God
20. Because it believes in people’s potential
21. Because it doesn’t live off blah, blah, blah, but demands results of its faith
22. Because it’s not afraid to go to the hardest places, or save extremely lost souls
23. Because it’s innovative, a pioneer in everything it does
24. Because it teaches to sacrifice without fear, instead of announcing an easy and cheap gospel that doesn’t save anybody
25. Because it trains people about eternity, not to simply feel nice in the meeting
26. It’s where I learned about all the elements that create a foundation to a happy marriage
27. I found my beloved there
28. The millions of assistants and volunteers that work tirelessly for it
29. It is what it is, no make-up or hypocrisy involved
30. Because it’s hated by some and loved by those who truly know it
31. Because it is today what the 300 of Gideon was in past
32. Because a rich man is treated the same as a poor man
33. Because it’s impossible to belong to it and be complacent in your faith
34. Because the word taught in it changes the lives of those that practice it
35. Because it’s really busy doing what it always does, even on July 9^th, a day to celebrate its’ Birthday.