First Group Of Converts In Fiji Receive Baptism
Naomi Dela Cruz: This week on INC News World:
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Host Continued: From the Fiji islands, see how technology and one man’s pursuit bring him to the true faith he was looking for. From the U.S. to Canada and Europe, witness the latest events in the Church Of Christ. Your INC News World starts now.
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Naomi Dela Cruz: Welcome to INC News World, I’m Naomi Dela Cruz coming to you from the INC Media studios in Anaheim, California. With advances in modern technology providing seekers easier access to information, let’s see how, in Fiji, one man’s online search for the truth about God, leads him and his whole family to the true faith. Stacy Larkin has more on this story.
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Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): I am a newly baptized member and I’m so grateful the amount of people in Fiji, they are really interested to hear God’s will with God’s words. There are many people who want to hear God’s word.
Stacy Larkin: With God’s guidance, the growth of the Church Of Christ continues in Fiji, as more people, like Vishal, are baptized into the Church. Looking back on his journey of faith, Vishal, a teacher, and a former lay preacher in Ba, Fiji, recalls his search for the truth about God.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): One day as that schools were closed, I went to our smart T.V. I tried to search that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Stacy Larkin: One show caught his attention.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): Then I scroll down and then I found Brother Barry Thompson. He was conducting the ‘Face the Truth.’
Brother Barry Thompson (Minister of the Gospel): Hello and welcome to ‘Face the Truth.’ A program brought to you by the Church Of Christ. Let’s go to the best source to find out who Jesus was and really is.
Stacy Larkin: The video he watched is one of many programs from INC Media, one of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, Church Of Christ’s media outlets.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): Then I started listening to all these lessons, all these videos, and then I found that Jesus He’s a man.
Brother Barry Thompson (Minister of the Gospel): But now you seek to kill Me, a Man…
Stacy Larkin: Eagerly, Vishal shared with his family what he was learning.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): I told my wife, okay, now we should be contacting INC Media for more information because I wanted Bible study for my family.
Stacy Larkin: He was immediately contacted by INC Media Services.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): They responded. It was a big thing for us. And so we had a conference.
Brother Richie Juatco (Minster of the Gospel): As Christine already mentioned, they call me Brother Richie. I’m one of the Ministers assigned here in INC Media Services.
Stacy Larkin: Shortly after that video conference, INC Media Service’s First Response team endorsed Vishal to the Church Of Christ Central Office, and soon after, the INC Office of Overseas Mission contacted Brother Dennis Dahunan, the Supervising Minister of the Ecclesiastical District of New Zealand.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): From that day, Brother Dennis conducted our Bible study.
Stacy Larkin: And soon after Minister of the Gospel Brother Arturo Martin was sent to Fiji to continue teaching the true words of God to Vishal and his family, while also conducting a Care For Humanity Event to introduce the Church Of Christ to residents. An Evangelical Mission was held to further introduce the Bible-based teachings inside the Church.
Brother Arturo Martin (Minister of the Gospel): I was so excited that hundreds of people attended. The series of Evangelical Mission and Aid For Humanity activities were conducted in various parts of Fiji such as Suva, Ba, and Tavua. The people of Fiji were so eager to listen to the teachings of our Lord God. They received goodwill bags from the Church, but they gave more importance to the teachings of our Lord God.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): From there, we started learning about God. We went to do Care For Humanity programs. And when I was doing Care For Humanity programs, I saw the love of the Church Of Christ for all the people.
Stacy Larkin: Even while still a doctrinal instructee of the Church Of Christ, Vishal was eager to introduce the Church to more in Fiji, as well as to lend INC’s helping hand through the Care For Humanity project. In October 2022, the Church Of Christ further showed their care for the residents of Fiji through a large-scale Care For Humanity event. Not only did residents receive care packages, but also 16 organizations within Fiji received monetary donations. This event helped introduce the Church Of Christ to even more throughout Fiji. Now today, Vishal along with others from the Ecclesiastical District of New Zealand received the holy baptism inside the Church Of Christ. Led by Brother Dennis Dahunan they were reminded of the importance of knowing the one true God.
Brother Dennis Dahunan (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District Of New Zealand): All of these are great results of our work of propagation in our district, not only here in New Zealand, but most of all in the islands of Fiji, Cook Islands, and even in the Kingdom of Tonga, are part of the continuous fulfillment of God’s promise for His work of salvation.
Stacy Larkin: Vishal looks forward to witnessing God’s continued guidance as the Church grows in this part of the world.
Vishal Pillay (Newly Baptized Member, Ba, Fiji): I’m looking forward that the Church Of Christ will flourish in Fiji. I want that the Church Of Christ to spread to not only Lautoka and Tavua but also throughout all the districts in Fiji and all the islands in Fiji.
Stacy Larkin: Like Vishal, begin your journey to discovering the true faith by visiting incmedia.org/get-to-know-us, to learn more about the Church Of Christ and click on the red “Ask a Question” box to speak with a Minister of the Gospel. Stacy Larkin, Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network.
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Naomi Dela Cruz: From North America to Europe, let’s take a look at the latest activities in the Church Of Christ.
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Naomi Dela Cruz: Our first stop takes us to the Ecclesiastical District of the Mediterranean where our journey takes us to one of the most renowned places in biblical history—Nazareth, Israel. Known for being the biblical site where the Lord Jesus Christ was brought up from childhood, it is also here where we find an inauguration held for the group worship service of Nazareth, Israel.
Emily Balasa (Pioneer INC Member, Nazareth, Israel): As His loyal servant, I promise to be devoted in the worship services to Him. Our worship services that we conduct in the Church Of Christ is very important because this is what brings joy and glory to the Father.
Alex Castro (INC Member, Nazareth, Israel): We are grateful to the Church Administration because we were allowed to have this kind of worship here in Nazareth. We promise our Lord God that here we will lead all the brethren in the active manner of the services to the Lord God.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Led by Supervising Minister, Brother Ramil Regino, members from around the Israel region gathered to witness the inauguration, while marking a historic milestone for the Church Of Christ.
Brother Ramil Regino (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of the Mediterranean): All of the brethren here in the country of Israel, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ members are overwhelmed with joy because God continues to work miracles in this part of the world. In Nazareth, Israel, a very special place, as we know because this is where our Lord Jesus Christ grew up. And now we have a worship service here wherein the brethren can fulfill their inherent obligation to worship God as well as our Lord Jesus Christ.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Members continue to be strengthened through activities in the Church Of Christ as we take our next stop to the Ecclesiastical District of Australia East where attendees from across the district eagerly participated in a ‘Welcome, My Brethren’ sports edition event. This activity aims not only to welcome the newly baptized members and current doctrinal instructees but to foster camaraderie amongst the brethren.
Brother Marc Leo Ibasco (Minister of the Gospel, Australia East): They are playing volleyball, some are playing badminton, and we also have chess. And the bond of the brethren—they’re happy socializing—they already see the unity, the brotherhood in the Church Of Christ, which can be manifest in activities such as this one.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Through fun and interactive games, activities like this displayed the brotherhood in the Church Of Christ to fellow doctrinal instructees, like Christian.
Christian Anthony Manalo (Doctrinal Instructee, Blacktown City, Australia East): Oh, it’s really good, actually and it’s really good to see how the people from the Church actually interact with each other, you know from a fresh person’s perspective.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Held at Mount Druitt Stadium, members along with their invited friends and guests were inspired by the unity and fellowship found in the true faith.
Brother Seth Gutierrez (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District Of Australia East): And through this activity, they will become active, they will understand the meaning of brotherhood in the Church and it helps them of course. It helps them to continue with their search of the truth in the Church—that they can see that—in the Church Of Christ.
Christian Anthony Manalo (Doctrinal Instructee, Blacktown City, Australia East): I can already see like everybody enjoying themselves. Yeah, and personally I do like the experience as well. And yeah, I’ve already met like tons of new people and really, really familiar faces as well. So yeah, I’m enjoying my experience so far.
Naomi Dela Cruz: From Australia East, we take our next visit to the Ecclesiastical District of Nagoya, Japan where a districtwide special gathering was held in the house of worship in Nagoya. Among the attendees was Maiko, eager to take part in the oath-taking of becoming a secretary for the CWS or Children’s Worship Service.
Maiko Tamaki (INC Member, Nagoya, Japan): Any Church duties have to be carried out carefully, of course. I feel very responsible, but I am grateful for the fact that I was chosen. I will perform my duties well, believing that I will be blessed.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Led by Supervising Minister, Brother Manny Benedicto, attendees were reminded of the importance of upholding and fulfilling their sacred duties.
Brother Manny Benedicto (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Nagoya, Japan): With the continued growth of the Church Of Christ, the number of members continues to grow as well, and the need for additional Church officers to assist the Church in taking care of the brethren, so that the members of the Church Of Christ can grow stronger in the faith.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Members were filled with excitement and joy after accepting new and sacred duties in an effort to contribute to the growth and edification of the Church Of Christ.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Members were filled with excitement and joy after accepting new and sacred duties in an effort to contribute to the growth and edification of the Church Of Christ.
Mark Pajo (INC Member, Nagoya, Japan): It is a blessing from our Lord God, entrusted by the Church Administration, to be given this duty, as a deacon in taking care.
Mark Pajo (Deacon, Nagoya, Japan): Watching over our brethren and also encouraging them to accept a duty for the glory of our Lord God.
Naomi Dela Cruz: From Japan, we now jump across the Pacific to the Ecclesiastical District of Florida where married couples gathered in the Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Buklod Organization. Through this ‘Buklod Night’ event, Buklod members married couples inside the Church Of Christ spent the evening socializing while growing stronger in their bonds as husband and wife.
Audrey & RJ Tapales (Buklod Members, Tampa, Florida): Being able to be a part of the Buklod activity for the first time was really exciting. Seeing the children of the parents come out to appreciate them we don’t have children ourselves, but hopefully, God willing, one day. And it was nice to see that part of being Buklod is also the family that you lead. So it was very heartwarming to see everyone together.
Louie & Sherri Calantes (Buklod Members, Cocoa Beach, Florida): It’s nice seeing everyone. It’s been a while since we’ve seen everyone in one place again. It’s been a couple of years. And it’s just nice that the Church Administration has approved an activity like this for us to be able to be united with the Church Administration and yet be able to spend some time together, celebrate, see each other, and just have a great time.
Naomi Dela Cruz: And the evening’s purpose was reiterated through a lecture of God’s words led by the Supervising Minister, Brother Marlone Balason, encouraging couples to grow in love for the brotherhood. Attendees were also entertained through performances of original INC music among other activities while making more memories with each other.
Brother Marlone Balason (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Florida): It’s important that the Buklod members, the husband, and wife, their bond is very strong because they’re the foundation of the family. So if the family’s foundation is strong, the parents, husband, and wife, then in turn the family will be strong.
Louie & Sherri Calantes (INC Members, Cocoa Beach, Florida): It’s amazing and it’s something that you can’t really explain. But when you leave, you know that you’ve been just edified and it’s just enhanced your faith so much.
Naomi Dela Cruz: From Florida, we take our next visit to the Ecclesiastical District of New Jersey where members kickstarted the new year with a friendly bowling competition. Unity Games, an activity of the Church Of Christ aimed to strengthen the unity and brotherhood through sportsmanship.
Mark David (INC Member, Bergen, New Jersey): Everybody came from different congregations and they take their time and effort to come here and participate in our Unity Games and everyone is happy to see each other.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Despite their busy schedules and distances traveled, members gathered to participate in this activity, and with strikes and spares from all skill levels, players were cheered on by everyone.
Brittany Thompson (INC Member, Bergen, New Jersey): It was a lot of camaraderie, always a lot of camaraderie, when we get together. We take like 20 pictures, and it’s really nice, it makes memories with the brethren.
Brother Michael Depano (Minister of the Gospel, Bayonne, New Jersey): As you can see with the brethren gathered together you can see the love of the brotherhood being implemented and it shows that they are united with the Church Administration when it comes to activities like this.
Naomi Dela Cruz: As we continue to move forward into the new year, members continue to express their participation and eagerness in all the activities in the Church Of Christ. To keep up with the latest activities held in the Church Of Christ, visit INCMedia.org/church-news.
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Host Continued: learn how residents in California are opening their homes to their neighbors as part of a worldwide ongoing project in sharing the true faith. Discover how the ongoing humanitarian efforts of the Church Of Christ are impacting residents and city officials in San Diego County.
Jorge Mendez (Residents, Chula Vista, California): They go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Gaby Mendez (Residents, Chula Vista, California): That’s a big one. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Church that made me feel more welcomed than today.
Naomi Dela Cruz: Stay tuned.
