The Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental District and Negros Oriental District, both among the districts overseeing the Church’s congregations in Negros Island, Philippines recently held baptisms further increasing membership in this part of the country.

Baptismal candidates from Kabankalan City District convened at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Kabankalan City and were led by Brother Amando Bariring Jr., district supervising minister, in a baptismal gathering on June 22, 2024. Meanwhile, those from Negros Oriental District gathered at the houses of worship of the local congregations of Dumaguete City, and Bayawan City, with Brother Renato Callejo, district supervising minister, and Brother James Jasper Villanueva, assistant district supervising minister, officiating respectively on June 27.

Through the Bible-based lessons, the ministers exhorted the baptismal candidates to give great value to their membership in the Church Of Christ, for it is by virtue of their divine calling that they will receive God’s promises, especially salvation and the everlasting life. They were also reminded to remain active in their membership whatever situation they may face.

Among those baptized was Avelina Mucho, a former member of the Baptist Church, whose journey to her conversion began when she accepted an invitation “to attend a worship service in the Church Of Christ.” Having been baptized into the Church Of Christ, she is now enlisted in the Local Congregation of Hinigaran, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental District. Dandy Villanueva, deacon from the same local congregation, who was instrumental in the conversion of Mucho, expressed his “joyfulness for witnessing her baptism.”

Meanwhile, Ernesto Lañojan Jr., newly baptized in the Local Congregation of Bais City, Negros Oriental District, shared how his “life has changed upon hearing during an evangelical mission about God’s prohibition against the eating of blood and food mixed with it, and the punishment that will befall those who do not turn away from evil deeds and vices.” His attendance in the evangelical mission led him to enlist as a doctrinal instructee. He went on to complete the process of joining the Church and thus was baptized. He further stated his conviction, “I will never put to waste my Church membership and will continue serving God whatever happens in this life.” — With reports from Hexel De Asis and Mark Mansueto of INC News Section