Edification works of the Church in 2021
Compiled by Vince T. Basco
Date Posted: December 30, 2021
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) has continued its edification endeavors with undiminished fervor in the second year of the 2019 coronavirus plague. Despite the crises the pandemic as well as other disasters wrought, the Church Administration, through the leadership of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister, untiringly led and exhorted the brethren to remain active and steadfast in their faith. In the spirit of Christian unity, Church members enthusiastically participated in all the works of the Church.
The activities in the field of edification include the establishment of group worship services (GWS), extensions, and local congregations, the holding of special gatherings, oath-takings, anniversary celebrations, among others.
Established GWS, extensions, and local congregations
This year new GWS, extensions, and local congregations were established. These are some of them:
Brethren in Manyatseng held their first worship service as a full-fledged local congregation on August 28, 2021.
On September 5, 2021, the Siena Local Congregation of Italy South District held its inaugural worship service at the Four Points by Sheraton Siena Hotel.
At the inaugural worship service of the Local Congregation of Versailles, France on October 24, 2021, Western Europe District supervising minister, Brother Marvin Adriano, preaches God’s words.
Church members from Naucalpan GWS, in Mexico, listened to God’s words during the inaugural worship service on October 23, 2021.
On January 27, 2021, at the inaugural worship service of Pundakit Extension, Brother Rodrigo Reyes district supervising minister, led the preaching of God’s words to the brethren.
Brethren in Buenos Aires, Masbate witnessed the inaugural worship service of their new GWS on April 8, 2021.
The first worship service of Mambalayong Extension, Kabankalan City District at their new chapel on October 14, 2021.
The barangay chapel of Barucboc Local Congregation, a recent addition to the Ecclesiastical District of Nueva Vizcaya on November 3, 2021.
Special gatherings
Aside from the worship services, special gatherings held for particular occasions such as anniversaries or held by certain group within the Church such as CFOs or Church officers, also bring spiritual upliftment to the attendees through the words of God. Here are some of the special gatherings held his year:
Church overseers in the Cavite South Ecclesiastical District received spiritual guidance in a special gathering on January 8, 2021.
Binhi brothers in Malaysia Ecclesiastical District attended a special gathering tailored for them on February 14, 2021.
A special gathering for Korean brethren on March 28, 2021 through videoconferencing.
Choir members in Bulacan South were reinvigorated in the faith through a special gathering on July 5, 2021.
A member of the Christian Employees Association (CEA) in Washington, D.C. listens during the homily at the special gathering for the 35th anniversary of their organization.
Oath-takings
In all ecclesiastical districts, many brethren accepted additional responsibilities so as to be of help to the Church Administration in shepherding the growing number of brethren. They firmly believe that Church duties are gifts from the Lord for the edification of the body or Church Of Christ and also for the duty holder’s further spiritual advancement.
New officers took oath for the technical support for videostreaming (TSV) in Davao del Sur District on May 9, 2021.
During a special gathering, additional Church officers in Nagoya, Japan District swore to God to wholeheartedly fulfill their duties on October 3, 2021.
Mediterranean District added new officers in a special gathering through videoconferencing on October 31, 2021.
New officers take their oath of office in the place of worship of Hamilton Local Congregation, Southern Ontario District.
Anniversary celebrations
To commemorate a year of God’s blessing to ecclesiastical districts, local congregations, and other organizations in the Church, the brethren united in various activities that showed their gratefulness to God and their zeal in serving Him. These are some of the anniversary commemorations this year:
A special gathering was held in the Bulacan Ecclesiastical District on August 16, 2021 in commemoration of their 89th anniversary.
Through videoconferencing, brethren from the Local Congregation of Hamilton, New Zealand celebrated their milestone anniversary through an online event on September 24, 2021.
Brethren in Gingoog City District commemorated the 2nd year anniversary of their district through a special gathering on October 17, 2021.
Other edification activities
To foster the spiritual zeal of the brethren, other activities kept them occupied such as choir day, INC Museum Virtual Tour, film showing activity, “Welcome, My Brethren,” among others. These were some of those activities:
Choir members in Southern Ontario District gathered virtually for a choir day on March 21, 2021.
Binhi members from Bologna Congregation, Italy North District watched the Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum Virtual Tour to learn more about the Church’s history on June 11, 2021.
A brother in Taiwan District watched the short film “Perfect Timing” in a film showing activity on June 15, 2021 that highlighted Christian values for the young members.
The Malacampa Congregation, Paniqui, Tarlac District, Philippines conducted a “Welcome, My Brethren” activity for new members of the Church on August 8, 2021 at Oriendo’s residence in Barangay Malacampa, Municipality of Camiling.
As the Church members continue fulfilling their duties even in these challenging times, the body of Christ, which is His Church, grows and is strengthened in the faith. Knowing that the day of the fulfilment of their redemption is truly near, Church Of Christ members vow to remain firm and steadfast in the true faith, active in all the works of the Church, so as to be worthy of receiving salvation. — With reports from INC News Section
