More Join True Faith in Asia, Caribbean, and North America
RICHIE FERRERA: From North America to Asia, we witness the series of baptisms that were recently conducted and the stories of individuals who discovered true faith in the Church Of Christ. Let’s take a look.
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RICHIE FERRERA: Our first step takes us to the Ecclesiastical District of New Jersey, where we meet Peter, a businessman residing in New Jersey. For much of his life, he had no room in his heart for God or religion.
PETER KAHIKINA (RESIDENT, NORTH NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY): There was a time in my life when I rejected God completely. And the truth be known, I come from atheism.
RICHIE FERRERA: However, an unexpected invitation from his close friends to attend their Church activities changed the course of his life.
PETER KAHIKINA (RESIDENT, NORTH NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY): I have friends who are members of the Church Of Christ and I witness their faith, their steadfastness in their beliefs. I attended the Bible study lessons and prayer meetings and the worship services, and I’m eager to hear of each lesson that being taught at the worship service, for example.
RICHIE FERRERA: From the truths he received and understood, he made a significant decision to begin a journey of faith.
PETER KAHIKINA (RESIDENT, NORTH NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY): From atheism to believing. And it’s no small thing. It’s a huge philosophical change and I’m proud to have learned about the Church Of Christ. I’m proud to have met the brethren and people who live in holiness and in deep, abiding faith.
RICHIE FERRERA: And after completing and fully believing in the doctrines of the Church Of Christ, Peter reached this day when he would receive the holy baptism in the Church Of Christ. Through God’s words, taught by the Assistant District Supervising Minister Brother Ruben Bustos Jr., those in attendance were reminded of the significance of belonging to the one true Church.
PETER KAHIKINA (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, NORTH NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY): It’s a profound, awesome feeling. This is the single best decision I’ve made in my life.
RICHIE FERRERA: And Peter aspires to share his newfound faith with his friends and his neighbors.
PETER KAHIKINA (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, NORTH NEW JERSEY, NEW JERSEY): I went out on a Pasugo handout mission just the other day. I think my enthusiasm comes through. And immediately interested, I think it’s appealing to others.
RICHIE FERRERA: Peter’s just one of the many fruits due to the continuous unity among members in the work of propagation of God’s words and this enthusiasm in sharing the true faith is also found among other members as we head to our next stop – west, to the Ecclesiastical District of Northeast California.
RICHIE FERRERA: Matthew, a former Protestant, found himself searching for answers that he couldn’t find in his previous religion.
MATTHEW MARTIN (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): I wasn’t attending church and I wanted to find a new church and [attend] Bible studies.
RICHIE FERRERA: Until he met a family who were members of the Church Of Christ, which opened the way for him to discover the true faith.
GENESIS CUADRO (INC MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): When I first met him, he was holding an old King James version of Bible, and he was already an avid reader of the Bible.
RICHIE FERRERA: Together with his family, they invited Matthew to listen to the teachings of God, upheld by the members of the Church Of Christ.
MATTHEW MARTIN (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): Before I became involved with Iglesia Ni Cristo this year, I was praying to have Bible studies in my life. And then when I was asked to go to Bible studies that gave me the word from God right there to come. When I attended my first Bible study, I saw that this is the true Church Of Christ. Other religions and other services that I’ve attended, they seem to veer off from the word of God whereas, Iglesia Ni Cristo sticks to the word of God.
GENESIS CUADRO (INC MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): His journey towards the Bible study was very easy. It was very smooth because he was very eager. He was very enthusiastic about everything. He was always on the first row in every worship service.
RICHIE FERRERA: After completing Bible studies and fully accepting the doctrines found in the Church Of Christ, he joins today, others awaiting to receive the Holy baptism. The holy occasion was held at the local congregation of Stockton and was officiated by Brother Rey De Mesa, Assistant District Supervising Minister. The teachings and values of the Church Of Christ have resonated with newly baptized members such as Matthew. And it is through this that lays the foundation and beginning a new life that ultimately leads to salvation.
MATTHEW MARTIN (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): It’s the most important thing in my life because I want to be saved. I felt led by the Holy Spirit to stay here. I call it my home here.
RICHIE FERRERA: For the Cuadro family, they are overjoyed because they were God’s instrument in helping Matthew find the path to salvation.
GENESIS CUADRO (INC MEMBER, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA): His baptism today is truly a blessing to us, bearing the fruit and receiving the blessings of God. It’s truly unfathomable.
RICHIE FERRERA: From Northeast California, we take our next visit south to the Ecclesiastical District of the Caribbean. Located among the rugged, mountainous terrains and sandy beaches of the Caribbean is the nation of Haiti.
RICHIE FERRERA: With the ongoing intensive work of propagation in the Church Of Christ, more people continue to learn and are eager to join the true faith. As a result, a baptism was held in Petit-Goâve, officiated by District Supervising Minister Brother Gary Garcia. Many residents, after understanding and being enlightened by the words of God received the holy baptism. The sacred occasion was followed by a Welcome My Brethren event, introducing newly baptized members and guests to learn more about the Church Of Christ.
RICHIE FERRERA: From the Caribbean, we jump across the Pacific to the Ecclesiastical District of Taiwan. As an overseas Filipino worker, Clarita went to Taiwan to seek a better future.
CLARITA GERONIMO (OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKER, TAIWAN): I’ve been here in Taiwan for four years now. I work as a factory worker.
RICHIE FERRERA: Though originally locating to seek work, it was also here that she found the greatest unexpected blessing, her membership in the Church Of Christ.
CLARITA GERONIMO (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, HUKOU, TAIWAN): I have explored various religions. I’ve almost tried them all, but it felt like something was missing in my heart. The religion I used to reject turned out to be what I’ve been searching for all along. My heart is now complete. I’m very proud, and I will cherish my membership in the Church Of Christ until the end of my days.
RICHIE FERRERA: As a full-fledged member, she has experienced pure joy since receiving the holy baptism, which was held in the local congregation of Zhongli.
RICHIE FERRERA: The sacred occasion was led by Brother Dennis Serrano and brother Ricardo Baltazar Jr, who preach the words coming from the Holy Scriptures and where new members, took their oaths before God on. Among those who received the holy baptism were Taiwanese nationals who understood and believed in the truth from the Holy Scriptures.
AARON LIAO (NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER, ZHUBEI CONGREGATION): Worshiping God is our life’s greatest obligation. It is something that we have to fulfill.
RICHIE FERRERA: Baptism in the Church Of Christ, continue to bring more people to the true faith while introducing them to a deeper sense of community through events and activities.
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RICHIE FERRERA: 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 Richard Ferrera. Thank you for joining us. Stay safe and we’ll see you next time. God bless.
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