Thanksgiving, rooted in a Christian perspective, traces its origins to the Pilgrims who, seeking religious freedom, landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Grateful for surviving a harsh winter, they held a feast to thank God. Today, Thanksgiving for Christians symbolizes gratitude to the Almighty for blessings, faith, and the gift of community.
As the church networks of the World Olivet Assembly, its members inherits the gratitude for the same for God has also blessed it with blessings, faith and the gift of community. Church members gathered together, ruminating on all that God has done this year: the expansion of the gospel frontier, the witnessing of numerous souls coming to Jesus Christ, and people devoting their lives to the Kingdom of God - and giving all the glory to God who is the author and sustainer of all things.
WOA General Office emphasized to ministers across the U.S. the passage: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:16-17 NIV)
This Thanksgiving, churches across the United States embraced these principles, celebrating not only with festive dinners but also through service before God that reflected the teachings of Jesus. The shared spirit of thankfulness resonated in both word and deed, as congregations united in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father for the blessings of the year.