Special gatherings for local congregation secretaries were held on different dates in April 2026 in various ecclesiastical districts in the Philippines and abroad. Respective district supervising ministers and ministers constituting the district leadership led these occasions attended by the hundreds.

Philippines

In North Luzon, Philippines, the Ecclesiastical District of Lingayen, Pangasinan held the said gathering on April 24, the Ecclesiastical District of Quirino two days after, and the Ecclesiastical District of San Carlos City, Pangasinan on April 28.

The number of new secretaries who took oath after the study of God’s words were 176 in Lingayen, 100 in Quirino, and 214 in San Carlos City.

“Through this gathering, I all the more learned the importance of my duty. My desire to help the Church Administration … becomes stronger,” said Charlene Mae Pangan, head secretary of Dagupan City Congregation, Lingayen, Pangasinan District. Berna Clarizza Reyes, secretary from San Roque Congregation, Quirino District, said that the gathering “all the more intensified my zeal in fulfilling my duty.”

“I’m very glad, for there are special gatherings like this held in the Church. Through this, I truly feel the love and guidance of the Church Administration for us officers,” said Estephanie Lucero, a secretary from Macabito Congregation, San Carlos City, Pangasinan District.

In Central Luzon, secretaries from various local congregations in the Ecclesiastical District of Pampanga North flocked to the house of worship of EGM Avenue Congregation to attend such gathering on April 27, 2026. “My heart overflows with gladness now that I am a full-fledged secretary,” said Melanie De Mesa, newly sworn-in secretary from Sepung Bulaon Congregation. “From the lesson, I all the more learned how to safeguard and value my God-given duty.”

In Metro Manila, Marikina District held theirs on April 26, CAMANAVA District on April 28, at the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Concepcion and Valenzuela, respectively.

“Me and my fellow secretaries were very happy upon knowing that there’d be a special gathering intended for us,” said Andrea Mae Cabaliw, head secretary of Modesta Congregation, Marikina. “Attending the gathering all the more edified my faith. Through the lesson, I am reminded to be happy and dedicated always in performing my duty,” said Marilou Sagnip, a secretary from Tinajeros Congregation, CAMANAVA.

In South Luzon, specifically in the Ecclesiastical District of Calamian, local congregation secretaries convened at the house of worship of Coron Congregation on April 26, 2026 for their special gathering. 42 new secretaries took oath that day.

Meanwhile, in Visayas, particularly in the Ecclesiastical District of Aklan, over 800 local congregation secretaries received added inspiration in performing their duties during their special gathering held on April 27, 2026 at the house of worship of Kalibo Congregation. 102 new secretaries took oath there. In Mindanao, the Ecclesiastical District of Zamboanga del Norte simultaneously held three gatherings for local congregation secretaries on April 26, 2026 held at the houses of worship of Dipolog City, Labason, and Sindangan congregations. Over 1,300 local congregation secretaries attended, and a total of 266 new ones took their oath of office.

“During this gathering, the secretaries are taught to always perform their duties in accordance with the will of God. They are reminded to do their best in fulfilling their sacred obligations to be of help to the Church Administration in taking care of the welfare of the Church and, most of all, to please our Lord God,” said Brother Charlie Sardoma, Zamboanga del Norte District Church officers overseer.

Abroad

In the Ecclesiastical District of Greater Toronto, Ontario, Canada, secretaries from different local congregations gathered on April 19, 2026 at the house of worship of Toronto Congregation. “Throughout the gathering, I felt inspired, uplifted, and reminded of the importance of my duty. It’s a meaningful experience that helped me reflect on my responsibilities and focus to my duty,” said Maggie Oñate, head secretary of Richview Congregation.

The Ecclesiastical District of Central Valley, California  also conducted their special gathering of secretaries and induction of new ones. Attendees from every local congregation in the district convened at the house of worship of the Bakersfield Congregation on April 25.

“As the Church continues to grow, so does the need for more officers who will carry out different functions including in the Secretariat. Praises be to God that He added more secretaries in our district,” said Brother Benjie Delos Reyes, district Church officers overseer.

In an interview after the special gathering, Helen Galapon, head secretary of the Delano Congregation, shared, “When I was given the opportunity to serve as a secretary, I gladly accepted it, because I know that I can further be of service to our Almighty God and help to the Church Administration.” — With reports from Marck Angelo Delos Reyes and Districts’ Multimedia