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The members of the Local Congregation of Cubao, Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City were graced with a pastoral visit from Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ). From the house of worship of Cubao as the host site, the momentous occasion, which was also an ordination of new ministers, was livestreamed to local congregations and ecclesiastical districts celebrating their respective milestone anniversaries.
During Brother Eduardo Manalo’s homily, he underscored the tests of faith that God’s people face, emphasizing that these challenges extend beyond natural calamities. He reminded the congregation that life’s trials may take various forms, but their faith should not be swayed by them, but instead be unwavering.
The Executive Minister reminded the attendees that God, Who is Almighty, knows their struggles and understands their needs. Thus, God will always guide them along the best pathway for their lives.
These teachings resonate profoundly in the hearts and minds of God’s servants while living in a world fraught with uncertainties and hardships. The Bible’s message taught by Brother Eduardo serves as a beacon of hope for those who find themselves grappling with adversity. It is a reminder that members of the Church Of Christ are never alone in their struggles.
One of the key takeaways from the lecture was the importance of entrusting one’s life entirely to God. In a world that often demands self-reliance and self-sufficiency, the Executive Minister urged the congregation to cast their anxieties and fears to the Almighty, that is, placing their complete trust in Him.
Before the sermon, the prayer was led by Brother Virgilio del Rosario Sr., the district supervising minister. The closing prayer after the lecture was led by Brother Romer D. Galang. The Executive Minister ordained 36 new ministers and, afterwards, Brother Arnel R. Canicosa led the prayer. Brother Ernesto V. Suratos led the offertory prayer and Brother Angelo Eraño V. Manalo said the benediction.
Brother Eduardo Manalo’s visitation in the Local Congregation of Cubao left a lasting impression in the hearts of the brethren. His message of resilience, unwavering faith, and complete trust in God resonated with every attendee in all the connected sites. In the face of life’s trials, a true servant of God understands that losing hope and becoming discouraged is not an option. Such a servant knows that the best recourse is to place his entire life in God’s hands and follow His divine will and plan. It is a path marked by faith, courage, and unshakeable conviction that, with God’s guidance, he can weather any storm. Here are some life stories of some of the attendees as they prove such conviction:
God is always on our side
Cubao, Quezon City
By Kate Russel G. Mabale
The Church Administration always reminds Church members to continue holding on to their faith, fully obey God’s commands, and fervently pray, especially in these troubled times.
Having been all the more inspired by the words of God taught by Brother Eduardo Manalo, Sister Lani de Jesus, a deaconess and finance officer, recalled the moments when the doctors told her that her cancer cells miraculously disappeared. “Every time I’m asked how I got through that kind of trial, I always answer that it is all because of God’s love and kindness,” she said.
It was in 2021 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “When I heard it from my doctor, I felt like my world stopped and all I wanted to do was cry. I had to undergo an operation to determine the cancer stage and remove the tumor. It was emotionally draining because our business was affected by the pandemic. We were struggling to make ends meet and, suddenly, I got diagnosed with cancer even though there’s no history of such disease in our family,” she added.
Aside from breast cancer, she also has comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension, making the operation riskier. “All the laboratory exams and diagnostic procedures were all abnormal. That’s why it was necessary for me to undergo an operation.”
This is a situation that would easily make a person lose hope and give up. But for Sister Lani, she said, “We know that God is always on our side. He will always help and guide us to pass tests and I believe that our Almighty Father is the only One true God and the greatest healer.”
Although Sister Lani was given a bad prognosis on her condition, instead of wallowing in despair, she and her family decided to entrust her condition to God. Aside from their family’s devotional prayers, she and her husband earnestly pray in the house of worship every night. “Every time I pray to God, I feel so strong. I can feel that God already healed me.” She also asks her husband, who is a head deacon, to always anoint her with oil. Even the day before her operation, she still fulfilled her duty as a finance officer.
With such conviction and firm hope on what God can do, they were not disappointed—God worked a miracle. Despite all the abnormalities found in her lab exams, it was a miracle during her operation that there were no signs of cancer anymore. Even her doctors couldn’t believe it. Also, all their hospital bills were settled. “We prayed to God to help us in paying our hospital bills and He blessed us with more than what we asked for,” she said.
Sister Lani was able to recover and continue to fulfill her duties in the Church. She also accepted a duty as a deaconess a week after her operation. She said, “Whatever problems and difficulties we might face, we will remain steadfast in our divine election. That’s why I’m so grateful to the Church Administration for his love and concern for the Church. He always reminds us through our worship services to be more prayerful and confidently place our hope in God. We just have to completely rely on Him, that all our prayers will be fulfilled.”
God protects those who please Him
Luacan, Bataan
By Revelyn B. Antonio
In a momentous celebration, the Local Congregation of Luacan in the Ecclesiastical District of Bataan marked its 90th anniversary during the livestreaming worship service officiated by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Church’s Executive Minister. This joyous occasion brought immense excitement and gratitude among the Church officers as they were given the privilege to participate in this historic event.
Among the jubilant attendees was Brother Romeo M. Torno, one of the congregation’s oldest deacons. Despite facing the challenges of being partially paralyzed due to a stroke, he fervently prayed for the opportunity to serve as a deacon in this special worship service. His prayers were soon answered, as he was included in the list of deacons chosen.
Brother Romeo’s life has been a testament to unwavering faith and dedication to his membership in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Raised in a simple yet faithful family in the Church, he learned from his mother, a deaconess, the importance of remaining steadfast in fulfilling one’s duty as a Church officer even in the face of adversity. Like her, he is also committed to instilling Christian values in his children.
However, the path to spiritual perfection is not without trials. He and his wife, Sister Noemi, have faced financial hardships. To make ends meet, he peddled fish in their neighborhood and nearby areas. The challenge lay in balancing his Church responsibilities with the demands of providing for his family.
Through sheer determination and dedication, Brother Romeo eventually acquired a secondhand tricycle, which made selling fish easier. But his aim for economic stability still remained elusive, especially with the growing needs of his family. To supplement his income, he also worked as a tricycle driver.
A significant turning point in their lives occurred when Brother Romeo and Sister Noemi opened a fruit stall at the public market in their area. Their business thrived, propelling them to become one of the leading fruit suppliers in Dinalupihan. Despite their newfound success, they never wavered in their commitment to their membership in the Church and they continued to faithfully serve as a deacon and deaconess.
However, their family faced a grave trial on December 30, 2019, when Brother Romeo collapsed due to severe exhaustion and was diagnosed with a stroke. His world was forever altered as he became half paralyzed, unable to perform many physical tasks. Yet, his faith remained unshaken.
Still, Brother Romeo’s case―with 11 brain artery ruptures, blood clots, and blockages―was considered a medical miracle. Throughout his ordeal, he never fell into a coma and he remained conscious and responsive. When asked about his perspective during this challenging period, he calmly replied, “I firmly clung to the hope that God protects His faithful servants.”
Reflecting on the impact of Brother Eduardo Manalo’s biblical teaching during the worship service, Brother Romeo expressed a deep sense of peace and belief that God had answered his prayers. He cherished the opportunity to serve as a deacon while Brother Eduardo Manalo officiated at the worship service, considering it a great blessing and a testament to God’s mercy. He shared, “I continue to pray for God to grant me strength to fulfill my duties to Him until the final days of my life.” With these words, he radiated a profound sense of contentment, finding solace in the loving embrace of God.
