INC evangelical drive intensifies worldwide as its centennial nears

MANILA, Philippines - With just a few more weeks before its July 27 grand centennial celebration, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) under the leadership of its Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, is conducting more intensive evangelical missions here and abroad, the latest of which was held in Mindoro Oriental, Quezon City and Hong Kong.

These projects will continue even after the centennial celebration, said INC general auditor minister Glicerio Santos Jr., who was assigned to spearhead the grand evangelical campaigns here and abroad that have reached more than 52 million people to date.

This is part of the INC’s continuing evangelical campaign under its banner project “Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko” or “My Countrymen, My Brethren” launched in April 2013.

The “Lingap-Pamamahayag” activities, which targeted large venues to accommodate thousands to hundreds of thousands of people, have since been done weekly – sometimes, even twice a week – as part of the INC’s pre-centennial activities.

Last June 10, about a hundred thousand people packed the grounds of the Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro where the INC conducted a “Lingap-Pamamahayag” or “Aid to Humanity” relief-evangelical mission.

Two days before that, the INC also conducted a similar activity at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City where hundreds of thousands came.   

Last June 2, the INC also conducted a similar activity in Hong Kong where at least 10,000 guests and INC members packed the Kowloon International Trade and Exhibition Center. The event was also reported on CNN, which described the INC as “the fastest growing church in the world.”

Outside the Philippines, big evangelical missions under the banner of “My Countrymen, My Brethren” were also held in the Dominican Republic; Milan and Rome, Italy; Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, and in various parts of the United States.

“We will not stop. We are continuing these efforts so that more people will know about the message of salvation and about the Iglesia Ni Cristo which will be celebrating its 100th year of establishment in the Philippines on July 27. This is all for the glory of God,” said Santos who officiates the biblical expositions in these events.

Citing Isaiah 62:11, he said these activities are important in fulfilling God’s instructions to proclaim to the whole world the message of salvation as Judgment Day draws near.

In the last two months, the INC also conducted “Lingap-Pamamahayag” activities in Pampanga, Baguio City, Bulacan, Iloilo, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Pasay City, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Marikina City, Palayan City, Bacolod City, Agusan del Norte, and Davao.

On June 8, at the Amoranto Sports Complex, INC secretary general Radel Cortez read a message from Manalo thanking the thousands of guests who attended the event.

In his message, Manalo said these intensified activities are being done by the Church members as an expression of love for their fellowmen, which is also in fulfillment of the biblical teaching to love others as yourself.

Relief bags containing rice, sardines and noodles were distributed, and medical, dental and legal services were also offered to those who sought them.

But Manalo, in his message, said these material help would only last a short while. That is why, he said, the INC is sharing to all the pure words of God as written in the Bible that instruct man on how to achieve salvation come Judgment Day.  He then enjoined the guests to continue listening to the words of God.

At Amoranto, a two-hour entertainment program was held before the Bible exposition. Among the entertainers who performed was veteran singer Anthony Castelo who sang his original composition “Pangarap Mo’y Makakamit,” which was about the INC’s growth since it was registered in the Philippines in July 1914.

Castelo also performed in Mindoro on June 10 in the entertainment program prior to the Bible exposition officiated by Santos, who said in Filipino, “We would like you first to understand that we, ministers of the Church Of Christ, are not the ones that teach; we merely ask the questions and let the Bible answer.”

Efren Valencia, supervising minister for the district of China, declared the event “a great success.”

“It has been a monumental day in the history of the Church and to see so many visitors sitting so attentively, listening to God’s words – it truly touched our hearts,” he added.

Preparations are now underway for the INC’s centennial on July 27. The center of the celebration will be at the Philippine Arena, dubbed as the largest domed arena in the world, with a seating capacity of 55,000. It will soon be inaugurated in Bulacan in time for the INC’s centennial celebration.