Thanking the Almighty God for His mercy and help for the last five decades and counting, brethren from the Local Congregation of Riverside, Ecclesiastical District of Orange County, celebrated the said milestone through a special worship service at their house of worship and a musical program at Orange Terrace Library and Community Center located at 20010-B Orange Terrace Pkwy Riverside, CA, on September 7 and 14, 2024, respectively.

In accordance with the instruction of the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the brethren were led in the special worship service through videoconferencing technology from the Central Office Complex, in Quezon City, Philippines, by Brother Antonio T. de Guzman Jr., minister of the gospel.

The musical program organized by the Christian Family Organizations (CFO) officers was held a week later. It featured a photo booth and a presentation highlighting significant moments in the congregation’s history, such as its house of worship renovation, and its exterior reconstruction recognized and lauded ‘2024 Beautification Award’ by the city government.

The program also included musical performances by talented brethren, who sang Iglesia Ni Cristo original songs “The Journey,” “Together,” and “Happy Victory.” The brethren then enjoyed light conversations with each other over dinner and some games.

“It’s truly inspiring, especially for the young members, being able to look back how the congregation started, how the pioneering brethren carried on their Church duties, despite the fact that they were few back then and the distance they had to travel just to be able to attend the worship services,” Brother Hanzl De Dios, district supervising minister, said in an interview.

These celebratory events paved the way for the congregation to “remember all that we’ve gone through. It’s not at all easy. But every time we’re able to accomplish something, and overcome the trials, that’s something to reminisce,” said Disraeli Mendoza, head deacon and one of the congregation’s pioneering members.

“It’s a good inspiration to remember our roots, where we came from, as it enables us to have that additional driving force to continue on performing our Church duties,” added Ana Quintos, the KADIWA congregation president.

The Riverside Congregation was instrumental in the establishment of the Local Congregations of Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, and Victorville, all in Orange County Ecclesiastical District; and the Local Congregations of Henderson, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona, both under the supervision of the Mountain States Ecclesiastical District. — With reports from Richie Ferrera and Lindsay Reynoso of INC News Section