THE brethrens of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) all over the world commemorated the 96th founding anniversary of the Church in the Philippines Tuesday.
INC ecclesiastical districts celebrated the event with Grand Evangelical Missions, Bible expositions, programs commemorating the growth of the church and its social contribution in the Philippines and the world.
In Pampanga, evangelical missions were held simultaneously in Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center and in locales of Arayat, San Fernando and Angeles. The brethren invited non-church members to attend and witness how far the church had gone.
In a span of 96 years from July 27, 1914 to July 27, 2010, the INC has reached more than 100 countries and territories. Recently, it has opened two other ecclesiastical districts in Canada and main office in Europe.
With this, local officials from the provincial down to the municipal level sent greetings to all the brethren in the Ecclesiastical District of Pampanga -- the eldest district of the Church on the occasion of its 96th founding Anniversary.
It can be recalled that a handful of faithful brethren began to form a small group of Church followers in 1918. Subsequently in 1924, they have successfully established the first district of the Church in Pampanga through the leadership of Brother Felix Ysagun Manalo, God’s messenger in these last days. Despite the innumerable odds and trying difficulties, they bravely continued their mission to propagate the words of God.
The Church ministers led by then Brother Felix, Brother Eraño G. Manalo and now Brother Eduardo V. Manalo have tirelessly fulfilled the divine mission of propagating the gospel and administering the Church through unselfish effort and dedication.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo in Pampanga reached the glorious stature under the leadership of Brother Eduardo and its District Supervising Minister Agrielio De Lazo, resident ministers, Church workers and officers.
With all the remarkable achievements of INC, the brethren in the locale of Candaba led by Bro. Jess Felipe believed that the brethren have all the reasons to rejoice its 96th founding anniversary.
Meanwhile, it can also be noted that by virtue of Republic Act 9645 signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on June 12, 2009, “July 27 of every year is hereby declared as a special national working holiday in commemoration of the founding anniversary of the INC in the Philippines.”
The said law recognizes INC’s exemplary feat of leading its members towards spiritual enlightenment and good citizenry.
Arroyo declared July 27 of every year as “Iglesia Ni Cristo Day” to enable millions of INC followers in the Philippines and in more than 100 countries and territories around the globe to observe the occasion with fitting solemnity.