INC Holds Baptisms All Across North America
Richie Ferrera: in the continuation of this week’s episode of INC News World:
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Host continued: Through sleet and snow, we go to Canada to witness those gathered for a special day in spite of the weather. To the east coast, to Micronesia and the Caribbean, we take a look at the various baptisms that were held in all these locations. Your INC News World starts now.
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Richie Ferrera: Welcome back to INC News World, as we continue this special episode featuring the baptisms that have been held all around the world. From Asia to Europe, Africa, and Australia we now go to Canada and learn how for many more, the day of their baptism was the most blessed day of their lives. Odellia Carr has that report.
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Odelia Carr: After years of searching for the truth, freezing temperatures and snowy roads did not stop Nelio from going to the house of worship in Downtown to receive the holy baptism inside the Church Of Christ.
Nelio Amado (Newly Baptized Member, Downtown, Calgary, Alberta, Canada): I’ve been to a lot of churches. I’ve been to Jehovah, Pentecostal, I’ve been to a Mormon church. This is the one that really catches my attention.
Odelia Carr: Members from across the Ecclesiastical District of Calgary gathered in the Local Congregation of Downtown as Nelio and others received the Holy Baptism inside the Church Of Christ.
Nelio Amado (Newly Baptized Member, Downtown, Calgary, Alberta, Canada): The teachings of the Church Of Christ are very direct in that the answers for every question are right in the Bible.
Odelia Carr: Led by Supervising Minister, Brother Voltaire Tamisin, those to be baptized were reminded to place their trust in God and the importance of their membership in the Church Of Christ. With average January daytime highs -5°, falling to -10° on the very coldest days, given the choice most residents in Edmonton would avoid venturing out in the cold. However, withstanding the cold on this day, Church Of Christ members in the Ecclesiastical District of Edmonton came together in the Local Congregation of Eastwood to witness as candidates for baptism received the Holy Baptism. Led by Supervising Minister Brother Roland Gaviola, those awaiting the holy baptism were reminded of the importance of membership inside the Church Of Christ. January brought unseasonably colder weather to British Columbia where temperatures don’t often drop below freezing. Braving the weather and traveling from as far as Vancouver Island to the Local Congregation of Burnaby, members in the Ecclesiastical District of British Columbia came together to witness more joining the Church Of Christ. Filled with happiness to receive the holy baptism are Jaypee and Stephanie.
Jaypee Rarogal (Newly Baptized Member, East Vancouver, British Columbia): I’m happy and feel different now. I feel so light and totally a new man. It feels good. That’s all I can say.
Stephanie Cabacungan (Newly Baptized Member, Burnaby, British Columbia): I’m so very happy, I can’t even explain what I was feeling. Especially coming out of the water.
Odelia Carr: Led by Supervising Minister, Brother Moriel Cadacio, those to be baptized were reminded to continue serving God no matter what life brings. In the Ecclesiastical District of Manitoba, newly baptized members like Peter recall what initially drew them to the Bible-based teachings of the Church Of Christ.
Peter Peters (Newly Baptized Member, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada): What I found particularly interesting about Iglesia is they don’t, they don’t take it out of the top of their head, everything’s from the book.
Odelia Carr: Led by Supervising Minister Brother Roland Andrade from the Local Congregation of Winnipeg South with those in the Local Congregation of Regina connected via video conferencing, those to be baptized were reminded the importance of putting God’s teachings and commandments into practice. And despite heavy snowfall, baptismal candidates in the Ecclesiastical District of Greater Toronto made their way to the Local Congregation of Scarborough. Before receiving the holy baptism they were led in the study of God’s words by Supervising Minister Brother Glendo Baitan. And more joined the Church through the true Baptism in the Ecclesiastical District of Southern Ontario. Members and those receiving the holy baptism came together in the Local Congregation of Mississauga West. Led by Supervising Minister, Brother Raul Adalla, all in attendance were reminded of the importance of serving God and obeying His commands in the Church Of Christ. And in the Ecclesiastical District of Ottawa Franklin, along with others, are among those who received the Holy Baptism inside the Church.
Franklin St-Louis (Newly Baptized Member, Montreal, Ottawa Canada): Thank you again to them. Opened the door to give you the chance to be part of the members.
Odelia Carr: Led in the study of God’s words by Supervising Minister Brother Jose Razon II in the Local Congregation of Pointe-Claire. Spanning across three provinces of Canada, from Quebec, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Saint John, New Brunswick members came together to witness this momentous occasion in the lives of those joining the Church Of Christ. Odellia Carr, Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network; Calgary Canada.
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Richie Ferrera: Congratulations to all our new brothers and sisters across the provinces of Canada. In this next part of our special episode, let’s visit the rest of the U.S., starting with the east coast. We begin by uncovering the story of a former military woman and how she accepted a simple invitation from a co-worker that led her to the true faith. Michelle Peredo with the details.
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Ella Wise (Newly Baptized Member, Temple Hills, Maryland): Something spectacular and something very special. It gave me a feeling like no other feeling. I feel like it was my exodus.
Michelle Peredo: Ella Wise, formerly in the military, was one of the many who received the Holy Baptism. Ever since discovering the Church Of Christ, it has given her the hope and strength she needs to overcome life’s troubles.
Ella Wise (Newly Baptized Member, Temple Hills, Maryland): Lately I’ve been through so much. But I know, I know, I know I didn’t fight by myself. I know I didn’t. And I’m getting better every day to where I’m not going to be in this wheelchair because I know God loves me.
Michelle Peredo: Suffering from a severe stroke that affected her lower body that made day-to-day living a bit more challenging, but despite the physical challenges Ella was overjoyed because of the great blessings she received today. Led by the Supervising Minister Brother Sydney Santos, in the Ecclesiastical District of Washington D.C. held in the house of worship of Temple Hills, members from around the district gathered to witness this life-changing moment for those newly baptized.
Ella Wise (Newly Baptized Member, Temple Hills, Maryland): I know that I’m going to serve God in this Church with all my heart and soul because it’s a beautiful thing—really beautiful. Choosing the Lord Christ Jesus means more to me than anything you can imagine that it means to me. This holy baptism really means a lot.
Michelle Peredo: Heading over to the west coast to southern California, known for its sunny beaches, tourist spots, and entertainment was where another series of baptisms were also conducted. In Orange County California, members throughout the district gathered in the house of worship of San Gabriel Valley and welcomed their newly baptized brothers and sisters. This holy occasion was led by the District Supervising Minister Brother Jonathan Jamias. This event was the direct result of members showing unity with the Church Administration and the campaign of sharing their faith. In the Ecclesiastical District of Los Angeles County, another holy baptism was conducted led by District Supervising Minister Brother Joji Crisostomo, showing the continuous growth of the Church in southern California. And north to the Ecclesiastical District of Northeast California, another baptism was held. Led by Assistant District Supervising Minister Brother Reynaldo De Mesa, attendees were reminded of the importance of putting God’s teachings and commandments into practice. A few states over to the Ecclesiastical District of Washington State, another holy occasion was led by District Supervising Minister Brother Serginio Bayani Jr. where many also reached the end of a long and trying search for the truth, like Jobert.
Jobert Alvares (Newly Baptized Member, Washington State): The ministers get the truth from the Bible. That’s what inspired me to join the Church Of Christ.
Michelle Peredo: And meanwhile in the Ecclesiastical District of Mountain States a series of baptisms were also held in 3 locations—in Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado—truly showing the continuous growth of the Church in this part of the world. As members throughout the Ecclesiastical District of the Northern Midwest continue to share their faith, it has resulted in more and more people like Daniel discovering the true faith.
Daniel Moreno (Newly Baptized Member, Chicago North): Our sister Liberty—so through them, they were telling me to listen to the worship, and whenever I had the chance to, I did it. And it just brought me closer and closer to here.
Michelle Peredo: And today, with a newfound hope, Daniel is of the many who received this great blessing inside the Church Of Christ.
Daniel Moreno (Newly Baptized Member, Chicago North): There’s so many things that’ve been happening, you know. I was just praying, “Just help me in my endeavors in everything, what I got going on for myself.” You know, it’s not forever. It’s going to be a fresh start, especially in taking care of my family.
Michelle Peredo: in the Ecclesiastical Districts of Florida, the Caribbean, and Micronesia, individuals with their own journeys in reaching this blessed day were met with the same holy baptism. As this new chapter begins in the lives of the newly baptized, they look to the future with hope, knowing that God is with them. Like Ella who will continue to share the truth, she found inside the Church Of Christ.
Ella Wise (Newly Baptized Member, Temple Hills, Maryland): This holy baptism really means a lot. And it’s just not to get in here and just stop and everything. It’s for me to go ahead and bring more people into the Church Of Christ to be saved. I’m very serious about my walk with Christ. In the Church Of Christ, I’m very serious about that—doing everything and anything within my power to be the best that I am in here. And to bring other people to the Church Of Christ. And I wouldn’t give it up for anything.
Michelle Peredo: As the Church Of Christ continues to grow, throughout the U.S. and every corner of the world, more and more people continue to receive the true baptism and find joy within the true faith. If you want to learn more about the Church Of Christ, log on to incmedia.org and click on the worship with us tab. Michelle Peredo Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network.
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Richie Ferrera: Well, that does it for us on this special episode of INC News World. it has been awe-inspiring to witness the miracles of God and the results of the baptisms across the world in the month of January. And the work continues! On behalf of the entire INC News World team, we’d like to congratulate all the newly baptized around the world. All praises and glory be to our Almighty God. Be sure to tune in every Saturday for new episodes of INC News World on incmedia.org. I’m Richie Ferrera. Thank you for joining us. Stay safe, and we’ll see you next time. God bless!
