Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) officers from local congregations in various ecclesiastical districts located in Luzon and National Capital Region (NCR), in the Philippines, attended special gatherings at their respective houses of worship on March 31, 2024. A highlight: the oath-takings of new officers who had completed their seminar-trainings.

Metro Manila Districts
In the Ecclesiastical District of Central, among the houses of worship wherein the said gatherings were held were that of the Local Congregation of Luzon Avenue, and Templo Central, officiated by Brother Jeremias Mendoza Jr., district Church officers overseer, and Brother Agapito Galapon Jr., resident minister, respectively.

In the Ecclesiastical District of Caloocan North, Brother Ariel Barzaga, district supervising minister, led the gathering and oath-taking of newly-appointed officers at the Local Congregation of Mountain Heights. This was witnessed via livestreaming by officers gathered in four houses of worship-Bagong Silang 9, Camarin, Deparo, and Punturin. While in the Ecclesiastical District of Quezon City, the gathering of same kind was officiated at by Brother Virgilio Del Rosario Sr., district supervising minister, at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Capitol, and was livestreamed to various local congregations in the district.

South Luzon Districts
Meanwhile, current and would-be officers in the Ecclesiastical District of Cavite convened at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Tanza, and were led by Brother Larry Failano, assistant district supervising minister. While in the Ecclesiastical District of Albay, Brother Eric Zaratan, district supervising minister, officiated at the Local Congregation of Legazpi City, with other local congregations attending through livestreaming.

Through the Bible-based lesson taught, the ministers reminded the officers that God expects them to remain faithful, diligent in fulfilling their Church duties, and resilient amid troubles and obstacles they encounter, for doing so all the more prove that they prioritize their being members of the true Church over worldly desires.

“I am happy for I’ve been entrusted a Church duty which I consider a great blessing from God. Thus, it is only proper that I devote myself to fulfilling this duty,” said Lea Banday, from the Local Congregation of Cubao, who took oath as a KADIWA officer.

Having understood the importance of the duty she has received, Patricia Ann Bulan, newly-sworn district Christian Brotherhood International (CBI) officer in the Local Congregation of Legazpi City, promised, “I will strive to do my best to be of help the Church Administration in taking care of my fellow brethren, particularly the students, entrusted to my care.”

“We thank our Lord God for He continues adding officers in the Church who will be instrumental towards the edification of our fellow brethren especially during these trying times,” expressed Brother Del Rosario of Quezon City District. – With reports from Joanne Mirando and Rose Ann Ramallosa of INC News Section