Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Receives Governor’s Citation, Special Recognition And Anniversary Greetings in Maryland

MARYLAND – The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ received three prestigious commendations from the state of Maryland in the United States.

The Church Of Christ received the “Governor’s Citation” from Maryland Gov. Lawrence J. Hogan “in honor of your many years of spiritual leadership.” Also, to commemorate the Church’s 107th anniversary this July 27, 2021, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin sent a “Certificate of Special Recognition” to INC Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo. For his part, Senator Chris Van Hollen sent a congratulatory letter to the members of the Church.

The state of Maryland has been under a State of Emergency since March 5 last year as proclaimed by Gov. Hogan. The proclamation imposed limitations on public gatherings and other safety measures to combat the further spread of COVID-19.

While this and many other pandemic-related proclamations were followed by Maryland residents, one effect was that many were faced with the challenge of dealing with the new normal and others struggled to make ends meet.

The three commendations given to the INC recognized its valuable assistance to help those affected by the pandemic in Maryland.

Through the leadership of the INC’s Executive Minister and with the assistance of the INC members in the Ecclesiastical District of Washington, D.C., Mid-Atlantic (Maryland, Washington, D.C., and northern parts of Virginia), the INC has conducted various community outreach events throughout the time of pandemic. Numerous Aid To Humanity events, INC Giving activities, and other outreach campaigns were held by the INC, all the while adhering to all safety protocols.

Among these campaigns held by the INC, since the pandemic began, were:

May 2020: Donations Gifted to Households, Healthcare Facilities and Police;
July 2020: INC Giving events throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area;
August 2020: Week-long gift-giving and community outreach events;
October 2020: Aid to Humanity event at the Oakcrest Community Center;
February 2021: Providing personal protection equipment (PPE) to Washington, D.C. educators;
March 2021: Delivered bags of food and personal protective equipment for the students and families of Essex Elementary School
May 2021: Blood Donation and Neighborhood clean up

The Aid to Humanity events, INCGiving activities, and all other community outreach campaigns were observed with social distancing, wearing of protective masks, and other precautionary measures.

U.S. Representative Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Maryland) also thanked the Church Of Christ for spearheading such efforts.

While in attendance at the INC’s donation event at Essex Elementary School in March 2021, he said he was “especially grateful to the Church Of Christ for spearheading this effort.” He said he also supported it “with a small donation of some of my office’s own resources for this worthy cause.”

Washington, D.C. District Minister, Brother Matthew T. Capistrano stated one of the reasons why the INC continues to hold these activities, no matter the circumstances. He said this was “to fulfill the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

He added, “We have this activity, and we will continue to be of service to our fellowmen, we will continue to love them, above all, we will continue to share the words and teachings of our Almighty God.”

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ has congregations in 158 countries and territories, and its members are from 147 races and nationalities worldwide. For more about the Church and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net.