Manny Pacquiao at Fellowship
On July 21, 2019, eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao beat Keith Thurman by split decision at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and successfully defended his WBA world title. This fight was the 71st professional fight of his career; and after the fight, 40-year-old Manny was clear about what he was doing next.
“I think my next fight will probably be next year. After this fight I am going back to the Philippines to start work again in the Senate.”
Since 2016, Manny has been a Senator of the Philippines, and has made a contribution to recognizing the Filipino community living outside of the country. Many Filipinos leave their home in the Philippines in search of better work opportunities, and the United Arab Emirates is a country in the Middle East that employs approximately 650,000 Filipino expatriates.
When Manny arrived in Dubai at the end of September, he stated:
“We consider overseas Filipino workers as the country’s modern-day heroes, so it’s only fitting that we give it back to them.”
Manny and his wife Jinkee arrived with the intent to provide an outlet of entertainment and fun to the Philippine community living in Dubai. On September 27th, he headlined a two-day basketball tournament for a semi-professional basketball league Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) at Hamdam Sports Complex in Dubai.
But Manny and Jinkee did not want to leave Dubai without having the opportunity to share their faith. While the United Arab Emirates is governed by Islamic law, it is also a country that celebrates tolerance and allows for expatriates to practice non-Islamic beliefs.
So on September 29th, thousands of expatriates, mostly from the Philippines, gathered at Jumeriah Madinat Arena to hear what Manny had to say at Fellowship, the largest evangelical church in Dubai. Manny shared how his life has been changed by faith, and that the true champion is what Jesus has done to change his life.
“We came from nothing into something for a purpose and I think that purpose is to glorify His name.”
Manny opened up on how he left a life of drinking, gambling and infidelity when he came to have a personal relationship with God. He shared from his heart the Bible passages that have impacted his life to fight temptations at work. Jinkee also shared practical advice to single women living in the UAE. The pastor Jim Burgees ended the service challenging the congregation to choose between living for themselves or for God.
Listen to Faith Collides episode break on Manny Pacquiao at Fellowship:
Watch the full service with Manny Pacquiao at Fellowship: