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Heeding the call of the Church Administration that more members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) become Church officers, thousands recently took oath of office in various ecclesiastical districts in the Philippines during special gatherings that were held in September 2024.
In the Isabela South District, the oath-taking of 380 new officers during its special gathering took place at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Santiago City on September 29. Church officers, old and new, were encouraged to lead the brethren in being ever faithful to God.
“I thank the Lord God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Church Administration for I’ve been entrusted with this duty,” said Jun Nepomuceno Soriano of the Sagana Local Congregation who took oath as a deacon. “I will fulfill this my whole life through God’s help.”
The next day, September 30, the Ecclesiastical District of Bulacan East held theirs at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Area H, with district supervising minister Brother Daniel Llagas Sr. officiating. There were 251 new officers who took oath that day.
“This is another victory of the Church in our district. Not only are we active in the work of propagation but also in the work that adds more helpers to the Church Administration. We will never waver in our zeal of being united in pleasing the Lord God,” said Brother Renjamin Cruz, the district Church officers overseer.
Meanwhile, in the Ecclesiastical District of Ilocos Sur, a special gathering of Church officers was held on September 27. Brother Marco Luisito Tamayo, district supervising minister, officiated at the house of worship of the Narvacan Local Congregation, which served as the host site of 38 other local congregations linked via videoconferencing. A total of 223 new officers were sworn in.
“I’m overjoyed to receive this Church duty. I will value this God-given blessing. I will dedicate myself to fulfilling this,” expressed Sarah Georgeana Degracia, a newly-sworn assistant group overseer in the Burgos Local Congregation.
Also on September 27, there were more than 900 brethren sworn in as new officers in the Metro Manila South District during its special gathering held at the Madrigal Congregation’s house of worship. District supervising minister Brother Jerick Dela Cruz officiated the occasion that was also livestreamed to other local congregations in the district. He delivered a Bible-based homily about the must-have qualities of Church officers.
The Capiz District conducted the special gathering of Church officers and oath-taking of 238 new ones at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Roxas City on September 29. Brother Raul Alvarez, district supervising minister, presided over the gathering. He highlighted in his Bible-based homily that Church duties are blessings from God. Church officers were then exhorted to extend the concern of the Church Administration to the brethren under their care.
At the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Bantayan, Himamaylan, Isabela, Kabankalan, and Sipalay, there were a total of 288 new officers in the Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental District who took oath of office on September 29.
“I’m joyful in accepting this duty and I promise to actively fulfill this,” expressed Angel Liza Lardera, newly-sworn Children’s Worship Service (CWS) officer in the Kabankalan City Congregation.
The special gathering of Church officers and oath-taking of news ones in the Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur District was held at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Pagadian City on September 20; the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Molave, Calian, and Dimataling as remote sites.
Brother Arnel Canicosa, Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) School For Ministers president, emphasized in his biblical lesson the Church’s need for more officers who will uphold and promote obedience to God’s commands, such as unity among the members.
“My prayer to God, that my whole family be with me in fulfilling Church duties, has finally been answered,” shared Viron Stela Amad, deaconess from Pagadian City Congregation. “My husband is now a deacon and my daughter a choir member.”
In Davao de Oro District, new officers pledged their commitment before God on September 29 during the special gathering witnessed at the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Australia, Compostela, Mawab, Nabunturan, and Monkayo, the latter of which was where Brother Benjamin Pelias, district supervising minister, officiated. He preached from the Bible that the officers should dedicate themselves in fulfilling their duties as this will strengthen their and the brethren’s faith for them to be counted worthy of receiving salvation on Judgment Day.
“Being strengthened in the faith has further motivated me to continue fulfilling my duties,” said Sofia Therese Carcueva, newly-sworn in secretary from the Moria Congregation. — With reports from JP Rivera, Nathaniel Ilago II and Shaina Freya Nasol of INC News Section
