On July 12, 2024, the Ecclesiastical District of Queensland, Australia, held its first baptism. Brother Orlando Macayan, district supervising minister, officiated the historic gathering at the house of worship of Brisbane, where a number of baptismal candidates were gathered. The rest of the candidates for baptism were at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Mackay, more than 900 kms. away.

Brother Macayan emphasized in his preaching that true baptism can only be received inside the true Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ). Such baptism grants its recipients the forgiveness of sins and, ultimately, salvation on Judgment Day.

The message rang clear not only to those in Brisbane but also those in Mackay as they were connected via a videoconferencing platform. Brother Erick Rufo, minister of the gospel, and Brother Mark Reniel Kiseo, resident minister of Mackay, conducted the baptism at the said venues, respectively.

“I’m so happy and so blessed having received the true baptism. I’ve been waiting for this day to come. I know that I am sure of being saved. I feel inspired and renewed in my faith,” said Miao Yin Tian, one of the newly-baptized members from Brisbane.

“I finally found the true peace in my life inside the body of Christ, the Church Of Christ. I will continue to uphold a Christian way of living to ascertain my salvation,” said Clifford Newmarch, also a new member from Brisbane. — With reports from Recil Montejo of INC News Section