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The baptism and ‘Welcome, My Brethren’ that the British Columbia Ecclesiastical District conducted on September 16, 2024 have given inspiration to the newly baptized members as they start a new chapter in their life, that is, becoming full-fledged members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ).
Brother Glendo Baitan, district supervising minister, led the baptismal gathering that was held at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Burnaby. In the Bible-based lesson, he emphasized the importance of receiving baptism and remaining active members of the true Church until the end.
Afterwards, the would-be members took their oath of membership with Brother Almer Vargas, district secretary, leading them, and the former’s actual immersion into the water.
“Receiving the true baptism in the true Church is important because through this we can fulfill God’s command that people be baptized in the one body of Christ that is the Church,” shared Brother Churchill Ibasco, district Light of Salvation overseer. “And we become true disciples of Christ who will receive the forgiveness of our sins, and most of all, to attain the promised salvation.”
Right after the baptismal gathering was the ‘Welcome, My Brethren’ likewise held at the same house of worship. As the name suggests, the said activity aimed at allowing newly baptized members, as well as doctrinal instructees, candidates for baptism, and guests, feel the warm welcome of members of the Church Of Christ.
The activity’s program included informing the newly baptized about the Christian Family Organizations (CFO) they respectively belong, that is, Buklod, if they are already married; KADIWA, if unmarried, 18 years old and above; and Binhi, if they are 12 to 17 years old. The presidents of each CFO present in the activity were introduced to the new members.
Brother Rennel Romero, district CFO overseer, relayed the CFO activities set to be conducted this year. Then, a picture taking was conducted and refreshments given, paving the way for the Church members to personally greet their newly baptized brethren.
“I feel really blessed today,” enthused newly baptized Roxanne Soronio of the Burnaby Congregation. Through her dad, she was introduced to the Iglesia Ni Cristo. “My conversion began with wanting to learn about the biblical teachings the Church upholds. I’ve proven to myself that that these do come from the Bible,” she added. — With reports from Kathleen Cruz Gaw and Rhonda Salvani of INC News Section
