Inauguration Held for Eastern Seaboard Campus in Connecticut

JAN 17, 2020 (JOHNSONVILLE, Conn.) — In its 45th year of educating future ministers, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) School For Ministers (SFM) continued its global expansion Jan. 17, with the inauguration of its school extension in Johnsonville, East Haddam, Conn.

The Johnsonville Village building seated next to the property’s historic Milldam was recently renovated and is now home to the new INC SFM campus. What many once recognized as a cornerstone to East Haddam will now be the beacon for education of ministerial students in the region. Here, hundreds gathered to witness the inauguration led by INC General Auditor Brother Glicerio B. Santos Jr.

Twenty one students from states across the Northeastern Seaboard will study this year at the Johnsonville campus to earn their Bachelor of Pastoral Studies and Evangelism (BPSE).

“We have seen the able-bodied and qualified youth members of the Church enter the holy ministry. They answered the call of Our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, because of the great need of the Church Of Christ for ministers all over the world,” said Brother Emiliano C. Magtuto Jr., Director of School For Ministers.

With congregations now in 156 countries and territories, the global church Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC or Church Of Christ) has seen its need for ministers also increase to care for its growing membership.

The INC School For Ministers is centered in the Philippines, but there are now nine overseas extensions: Washington D.C.; Sacramento, Cali; Corpus Christi, Texas; Ladybrand, South Africa; London, United Kingdom; Rome, Italy; Toronto, Canada;  Sydney, Australia; and now in Johnsonville, Conn.

Since the 62-acre property was purchased in 2017, it has since housed numerous outreach events servicing the East Haddam community and simultaneous with the global aid to humanity efforts of the INC. The village’s historic chapel has reopened its doors for an INC Johnsonville extension, adding another place of worship to the already established five local congregations in Connecticut for residents in the region. INC members regularly share in the beautification of the Johnson Millpond surroundings. The Church Of Christ will continue restoring the aging buildings, providing permanent resources for more to reconnect with God.

For more about the Church and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net.

Photos Courtesy of Iglesia Ni Cristo Public Information Office