(Eagle News) — The Iglesia Ni Cristo launched its new theme for the activities and projects of the Church on Sunday, October 30, at the Philippine Arena which was seen live via video feed in more than 40 sites here and abroad.
The theme, “I am proud to be a member of the Church of Christ,” was highlighted in the event on Sunday with a video presentation of the INC featuring the Church’s “role and relevance to humanity.”
A bible exposition, first preceded the video presentation, that aimed to better inform people who are not INC members on what the Church is, especially as it has spread far and wide across the globe in recent years.
INC spokesperson for the event, minister Edwil Zabala, said that the Church has spread to 130 countries and territories around the world, and the event today will better give people awareness and information about the 102-year old Church that was first registered in the Philippines in July 1914.
“As a religion, they ask what this Church can contribute to the communities wherein you find its congregations. We hope that the projects and activities under this theme will help the people understand what we’re all about,” Zabala said in an interview.
-Rapid expansion worldwide –
“From the 124 countries and territories where we were previously found, the INC is now in 130. This expansion took place in just a few weeks this year. We expect to reach even more places in the coming weeks,” he said.
In the past few months, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has established more locales and congregations in South Africa and Asia, and all across Europe, America and the South Pacific areas.
Last August, no less than INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo officiated worship services dedicating the house of worship in Johannesburg (August 20) and Capetown (August 27) in South Africa.
More recently, on September 10, Brother Eduardo also officiated the dedication of a new worship building in Gunma, Japan – the first INC house of worship that was built from the ground up in the “Land of the Rising Sun.”
“It’s beautiful, exceptional, marvelous. It’s very distinct from other buildings in Japan, and very appealing too. It’s not the same style as other buildings in Japan which is why at first glance, it’s striking,” said Shitaro Shinogi, a resident of Gunma, who noticed the new INC house of worship in their area.
Indeed, for those outside the country, who have seen for the first time the unique architecture of the INC house of worship that stood out in their landscape, questions about what the “Iglesia Ni Cristo” or Church of Christ are frequent.
In South Africa, for instance, the INC is rapidly expanding with more and more South Africans joining the Church.
“I know for a fact that now that we’ve got a house of worship, people’s curiosity will grow. They will want to know what is this Church of Christ,” said Potlako Sokokotano, a South African who became an INC member.
The same is happening in other areas across the globe, with many amazed that a church that was first registered in the Philippines would manage to expand and build churches in their areas.
Zabala said this is why the Church is launching the theme to answer this need. It would also serve to strengthen INC members here and abroad.
“Here in the Philippines, where the Church celebrated its centennial year two years ago, it is also reaching places where there used to be no INC congregations. Evidence for this are the 530 new places of worship that we dedicated from July 2015 to July 2016, with many of these worship buildings situated in remote areas,” he said.
– INC members highlight pride in the Church –
The theme, “Ikinararangal ko na ako ay Iglesia Ni Cristo” (I am proud to be a member of the Church of Christ), also highlights the feeling of the INC members around the world.
“I am proud to be a Japanese, but I am even more proud to be a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo,” said Mayumi Sugihara, a young member of the INC in Fukuoka, Japan.
“Through different activities, we will show that we are a Christian religion that serves God in the manner taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles,” Zabala said.
“We strive to lead people to live moral and spiritual lives; as far as we are able, we extend material help to our fellowmen; and we promote respect for the law,” he said.
Through these activities, the Iglesia Ni Cristo will show the world, its members are proud to follow God’s words. (Eagle News Service)
