On January 28, 2024, the ecclesiastical districts of Orange County in California, USA and Calgary in Canada conducted their first baptisms of the year.

The baptism in the Orange County District was held at the San Gabriel Valley Congregation‘s house of worship. It was led by its supervising minister, Brother Hanzl De Dios. In the lesson taught before the baptism, he emphasized to the baptismal candidates the need to uphold the teachings they learned inside the Church Of Christ in their everyday life. Doing so until the end will guarantee them eternal life in heaven.

Pondering on the lesson he learned, Alexander Jonah Alvares, a newly-baptized, shared, “I do feel that I’m a brand-new person. Going forward, I will make sure to obey all of God’s teachings and live a way of life expected of members of the Church Of Christ. And hopefully, I can inspire others to join the Church as well.” He is enlisted in Glendora Congregation.

Another newly baptized member, Colin Doan from the Local Congregation of Irvine, promised, “Now that I’m baptized in the Church, I will all the more strengthen my faith by attending activities in the Church and be active in the Binhi organization.”

Meanwhile, in the Calgary, Canada District, the baptism of new converts was held at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Downtown, Alberta and led by Brother Voltaire Tamisin.

Arrah Mae Espinas, a new convert in the same congregation, recalled how she accepted a friend’s invitation to attend an evangelical mission and eventually decided to pursue her Church membership. “I refused several times but realized one day to just open my heart and listen to the teachings. What struck the most to me was about the true God. Then, I prayed for clarity and for me to become patient.”

To those who are in a similar situation like hers before, she advised, “Take your time to be enlightened and attend one Bible study [on doctrines].” According to Espinas, she is committed “to follow God’s commands and actively attend worship services.” She is also looking forward to accept a Church duty one day, if God permits. – With reports from Lindsay Reynoso and Odellia Carr of INC News Section