EMPHASIZING that “faith, solidarity, selflessness and mutual understanding in the face of local and global challenges” are more important than ever as 2016 closes, homegrown Filipino church Iglesia Ni Cristo announced its successful expansion in Africa.
“This has been a particularly challenging year for the INC, but we’ve hurdled all obstacles thrown our way. We’ve come out a stronger, more unified church,” said INC General Auditor Glicerio B. Santos Jr.
“Domestically and globally, there are lingering unanswered questions on political leadership, climate change, geopolitics. While these concerns are obviously not direct priorities of the Church, we recognize the concerns raised by both our members and non-members alike on these issues. We make the INC their safe, comforting spiritual refuge from their own everyday challenges. INC is now a globalized church which welcomes all races and persuasions. The message of salvation we spread for people from all walks of life,” Santos added.
The INC has reached 16 countries in the African continent in 2016. Two new chapels were dedicated and eight more are slated to be opened next year. Conversions and baptisms have been particularly aggressive in South Africa and Kenya.
“Baptism is the final act before one becomes a member. We’ve had thousands of baptisms in Africa, and these involve locals, not Filipinos based in the continent.” Santos stated.
African equivalents of the “Lingap sa Mamamayan” (Aid for Humanity) outreach programs were held in King Williams Town, Johannesburg and Ladybrand in South Africa, Nairobi and Kiberia in Kenya, and Maseru and Semongkong in Lesotho.
INC has also established eco-farming communities in South Africa, aimed at providing livelihood to impoverished localities. Similar endeavors are already lined up for 2017, marking aggressive expansion in areas where material and spiritual assistance are most needed.
The Church’s increasing global reach has enabled it to establish footholds in various areas worldwide. INC’s growth has accelerated under the able leadership of Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo.
Over the last seven years, since Manalo took over the reins of the INC in September 2009, 1,669 chapels have been dedicated in the Philippines and abroad.
“We are a forward-looking Church serving the interests of members and non-members alike, anywhere in the world where there is a thirst for spiritual enrichment. We will accelerate our expansion while retaining the unique character of the Iglesia,” Santos added.