BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: From South America to Southern Africa, we take a look at the latest events happening inside the Church Of Christ. Let’s check it out!
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BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Our first stop takes us to the Ecclesiastical District of South America. Lying along the borders of the Pacific coast of South America, is Chile, a nation filled with captivating landscapes and the rugged terrains of the Andes Mountain ranges. Among the residents in Chile, is Ben Cortés, a pioneering member of the Church Of Christ in Chile, after settling in Santiago with his family in 2011, maintaining their dedication in attending the worship services in Los Andes, a two-hour commute northwest of Santiago.
BEN CORTES (INC MEMBER, SANTIAGO, CHILE): We attended for several years in Los Andes, Chile, constantly traveling from Santiago to the Andes.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Despite these challenges, Ben, along with other members in Chile, like Ruby, remained persistent in their travel commutes devoting their time to attend the worship services.
RUBY MURSUA (CHOIR LEADER & FINANCE OFFICER, SANTIAGO, CHILE): I used to have to travel two hours to attend the worship services.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: With a significant number of members living in Santiago and his unwavering commitment, Ben opened his home in 2015, where worship services would be held after being approved by the Church Administration, becoming the second group worship service in Chile.
BEN CORTES (INC MEMBER, SANTIAGO, CHILE): Worship services used to be held in my home, but our congregation grew so fast that now we are moving to a new and bigger place for worship services.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: As a result of the growth of the Church in Chile, the Church Administration approved the establishment of the local congregation of Santiago, Chile, and has now reached the day of its inauguration as a full-fledged congregation. Members gathered to witness the milestone event in an inaugural worship service led by Supervising Minister, Brother Rene Manansala.
BEN CORTES (INC MEMBER, SANTIAGO, CHILE): I feel very grateful to our Heavenly Father, to our Lord Jesus Christ, for this great blessing, not only for my family, but for all the brethren in Santiago.
BROTHER RENE MANANSALA (SUPERVISING MINISTER, ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRICT OF SOUTH AMERICA): They persisted. They remained fervent in the faith and by the grace of God, the number of members continued to grow because of the active participation of the brethren in the intensified work of propagation, they were able to register many Bible students and they are now active in attending Bible studies. And God willing, in the near future, more congregations will be established here in the country of Chile.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Following this special occasion, members in Santiago held its first ever Care For Humanity event in Chile. Care For Humanity, an outreach program aimed to provide to residents living in their local communities.
BROTHER RENE MANANSALA (SUPERVISING MINISTER, ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRICT OF SOUTH AMERICA): We are very thankful to our Almighty God that we are approved by the Church Administration to hold the very first Care For Humanity here in Santiago, Chile. This is the very first big event wherein the Church [Of Christ] is helping those who are in need. You could see a lot of people really needing for help. And we are doing this in obedience to the commandment of God. We prepared for this event, so we can alleviate even just a little bit the needs of the many people.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Members distributed care packages filled with essential items to local residents like Jennifer.
JENNIFER CÉSPEDES (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): I feel that this is a demonstration of mercy, kindness, and generosity on their part, which not only benefits the giver but also benefits the one who receives.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: After witnessing the growth of members in Chile, members are further inspired in taking every opportunity to share their faith with their fellowmen, in hopes that more people will come to learn more about the true teachings taught and upheld in the Church Of Christ.
RUBY MURSUA (CHOIR LEADER & FINANCE OFFICER, SANTIAGO, CHILE): I am very happy, more motivated to be more active because I witnessed the rapid growth of the Church Of Christ here in Chile.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Our next stop takes us to the Ecclesiastical District of Northwest California, where a holy baptism was held at the house of worship in San Jose. Among those receiving the holy baptism was Daniel, who was introduced to the Church Of Christ after receiving an invitation and the opportunity to listen to the words of God.
DANIEL MENDOZA (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): I finally got the courage to actually come and check it out. And you know, after listening to the worship services for a while, I decided to actually go through. A lot of youth, a lot of younger people, a lot of young adults use social media, to spread the word of God to spread the word of the INC and it really brought me in you know, you don’t see that in a lot of other religions.
JERIKA HIPOLITO (INC MEMBER, SALINAS, CALIFORNIA): From the first time I invited him, it wasn’t always an easy journey and I’m glad that even though things came up during certain times he still had the faith in him and the endurance to keep learning and you know, whether it took a few years or not, he didn’t give up and I’m so glad that today was the day that we are able to bear witness of God’s grace and mercy and we’re just happy to be at this point in time.
DANIEL MENDOZA (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): I had a lot of encouragement or a lot of motivation it was a long long process for me, but it worked out.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: After undergoing a series of doctrinal lessons, Daniel has reached the day that he would receive the holy baptism. Attendees gathered to witness the sacred event and were led in a preaching of the words of God by Assistant Supervising Minister, Brother Linuel de Leon, reminding members of the importance of receiving salvation inside the Church Of Christ.
BROTHER LINUEL DE LEON (ASSISTANT SUPERVISING MINISTER, ECCLESIASTICAL DISTRICT OF NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA): It is important to we share our faith through our missionary activities, bible study, our evangelical mission so that maybe more people will come to know the truth or the words of God, for them to saved. Especially now that through the leadership of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, we intensify the work of propagation. As we know that the day of judgment or the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ is near so we and all the ministers and all the brethren are fully united in the sharing of our faith.
JERIKA HIPOLITO (INC MEMBER, SALINAS, CALIFORNIA): You might be surprised with what you’re able to learn inside of the Church [Of Christ].
DANIEL MENDOZA (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, CONCORD, CALIFORNIA): I’m looking forward to spreading this to my family, my immediate family.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: From Northwest California, we take our next visit east across the Atlantic to the Ecclesiastical District of Southern Africa, where another inauguration was held for the local congregation of Dimbaza. Members gathered to witness the sacred event and were led in a preaching by Assistant Supervising Minister, Brother Reuel Alvarez, reminding members of the importance of their membership in the Church Of Christ.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: From Southern Africa, we take our next visit east to the Ecclesiastical District of Taiwan South, where an evangelical mission was held in the local congregation of Xinshi as members, along with their invited guests and loved ones were given the opportunity to study the words of God.
BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Activities in the Church Of Christ continues to inspire members around the world in sharing the true teachings taught and upheld in the Church Of Christ. To learn more about the Church Of Christ, visit INCMedia.org/INC-NEWS-WORLD or subscribe to our YouTube channel at INCMedia.official.
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BROTHER ANGELO BRUNO: Well, that does it for us on INC News World, tune in every Sunday for new episodes on INCTV and every Saturday on INCMedia.org, our YouTube channel and on streaming platforms. I’m Brother Angelo Bruno. Thank you for joining us. Stay safe and we’ll see you next time. God bless.
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