The 5317th Worldwide Cleanup Campain, World Mission Society Church of God’s Bourke Street cleanup campaign, Victoria
December 9, 2018
On December 9th, 2018, 80 members of the Church of God rallied together to clean up the streets of Melbourne’s CBD. Between the hours of 11am and 1pm the streets of Melbourne radiated with an army of volunteers wearing bright smiles and yellow vests.
A banner was lifted high in the middle of Bourke Street. It read “Mother’s Street for 100th Birth Anniversary of Christ Ahnsahnghong”. This would be the Church of God’s 5,317th world wide cleanup campaign. Bourke Street is among the top five hotspots for crime in Melbourne. With this in mind the Church of God held this cleanup campaign for further crime reduction.
Leading the rally at the head of the campaign were the Church of God’s ASEZ youth. ASEZ empowers a group of the Church of God’s university students to develop their leadership in volunteering. Through this organisation, the Church of God’s youth have been taking centre stage at a variety of volunteer activities worldwide. Several members of ASEZ gave passionate speeches about the goal of the campaign. The goal is to bring greater safety to the population of Melbourne.
Through the Mother’s Street program ASEZ put the spotlight on crime reduction
The “Broken Window Theory” states that visible signs of crime can provoke more serious crime in the area. However, the simple act of cleaning up the area can make an impact, reducing crime. This theory was tested in the 1980’s. George L. Kelling, a criminologist and famous author of the book “Fixing Broken Windows”, worked as a consultant for the New York City Transit Authority.
Kelling decided to clean up all the graffiti in the New York Subway. Paired with stricter police action against petty crime, the graffiti removal caused both petty and serious crime rates to fall.
In the same way, the Church of God aims to help reduce crime rates within the community. By making Melbourne city a more beautiful place, one can inspire a more beautiful mind within the community. With this aim, the Church of God targets crime reduction through its cleanups.
Bourke Street has been a hotspot for criminal attacks on the Melbourne community. In light of this, the Church of God took an alternative approach to crime reduction, taking initiative to clean the streets of the Melbourne CBD.
Be the change you wish to see in the world
Serving the city of Melbourne with all their heart, the members share the great love of God the Mother. God shows us an example of humility in serving others without wanting to be served in return. Members of the Church of God are the change that many wish to see in the world. The volunteer campaigns are a great opportunity to share God’s love with people.
Through this campaign the hard work and diligence of all the members won the hearts of passers-by. Many being impressed, showed interest in the initiative, asking about the Church of God and ASEZ.
At the end of the event, members gathered together at Parliament Gardens. The litter collected filled 43 bags, weighed a whopping 270kg.
One lady gave the members a speech of gratitude and encouragement after witnessing the event.
The great love of God truly shines through the dutiful hands of the Church of God volunteers. The Church of God members continue to inspire the world through Heavenly Mother’s love, one volunteer service at a time.