First of six partsGREENER pastures is an idiom that means a better or more promising situation (Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary).Greener pastures are related to Filipino migration to other countries to seek more profitable jobs or sources of livelihood.Accordingly, Filipino migration to Hawaii increased after the Pacific War, but the first Filipino immigrants arrived in 1906.The migration of Filipinos to Hawaii was influenced by colonial history and the sugar plantation economy.On the one hand, the Philippines was a rich agricultural nation, and the United States' colonial immigration policy and corporate recruitment exploited this situation.On the other, the Hawaiian Sugar Planters' Association recruited over 100,000 Filipino men to work as contract laborers, known as sakadas, on the sugar and pineapple plantations between 1906 and 1946. Most of these men came from the Ilocos region.According to the Center for Migrant Advocacy, a long history of migration is deeply ingrained in the social, economic and cultural climate of the Philippines.As one of the largest migrant-origin countries, migration has greatly affected the Philippines.It added that the demand for labor on Hawaiian plantations and California farmlands attracted thousands of Filipino immigrants who came mostly from the provinces of Ilocos and Cebu to replace the Japanese workforce who intended to leave the Hawaiian plantations.Records show that among the 1,814,000 Philippine-born Filipino Americans, the American states with the largest concentrations are California with 44.8 percent; Hawaii, 6.2; New Jersey and Texas, 4.8; and Illinois, 4.7 percent.The above narratives have significant bearing to the expansion of the Church Of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in the Far West,Among the Filipino migrant workers in Hawaii are INC members. The same motivation – seeking greener pastures – among the INC members who sought their jobs around the world.When the Almighty Father – the Lord God – fulfilled His long standing plan for the global Church Of Christ to gather the brethren in the West, the prophecy was fulfilled.God stated 'Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west.'The INC members as Filipino migrants to Hawaii originated from the Philippines – the Far East, and God gathered them to serve as the nucleus of His chosen ones in the Far West – in Hawaii.2nd Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Brother Eraño G. Manalo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOOn July 27, 1968, the 2nd INC Executive Minister Brother Eraño Manalo officiated the first INC worship service outside the Philippines. It was the precursor of the INC expansion worldwide, thus, the global Church of Christ.On this day, January 2, the officials and members of the global Church of Christ are one in commemorating the 100th birthday of Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the INC 2nd INC Executive Minister.To substantiate the expansion of the mission of the Church Of Christ abroad, an article 'titled ''From the far west, I will gather you': How the Church Of Christ reached and flourished in Hawaii' authored by Sean Adam and published in the 'Pasugo: God's Message' in its online edition (https://www,pasugo.com.ph/from-the-far-west-i-will-gather-you-how-the-church-of-christ-reached-and-flourished-in-hawaii/).The transcript of the article is herein quoted.'One of the top travel destinations in the world, Hawaii is home to stunning beaches, lush landscapes, breathtaking sights, and mouth-watering food. With six major islands to visit – O'ahu, Maui, Big Island, Kaua'i, Moloka'i, and Lana'i, each having its own adventures and distinct personality – there is something for everyone.'From hiking the mountains to surfing the waves or sailing with whales to snorkeling with sea turtles, Hawaii has a lot to offer. It is no surprise that people come from all over the world to enjoy such. Every island is astounding and deciding where to go is, undoubtedly, a challenge.First steps in a foreign land'Tourists were not the only ones who came to the Aloha State. Countless Filipinos have left their homeland searching for greater opportunities. Manu found hope for a better life in Hawaii, including members of the Church Of Christ. However, when they reached Hawaii, there was no Church Of Christ place of worship there yet. The brethren longed for worship services. Their desire to serve God was unwavering, and that led them to search for other members of the Church.'On June 18, 1967, Brother Emeterio Ancheta Sr. led a group prayer meeting in his rented studio apartment along Puuhale Road in Honolulu. In just a matter of days, the number of attendees increased as more members of the Church heard about the prayer meeting. Unknown to them, Brothers Gauden Monico and Antonio Ferrer were having prayer meeting as well with the latter's family sometime in November of the same year. The two groups eventually merged.'When the younger Ancheta arrived in Hawaii, he was hired by the Dole Cannery. While working, he whistled the hymn 'Ako'y Iglesia Ni Cristo' (I am a member of the Church Of Christ). Brother Antonio Ferrer heard him and asked him if he was a member of the Church Of Christ. Elated that he found a brother in the Church, Brother Emeterio Ancheta Jr. told his father of the good news, and the latter immediately contacted Brother Ferrer. Thereafter, the two groups of brethren united and held their gatherings at the residence of Brother Emeterio Ancheta Sr.'They continued to grow in number as they intensified their search for other members of the Church. At the same time, persecution began to emerge. They were ridiculed, mocked, cursed and even threatened. But the brethren endured and still persevered, as nothing was more important than upholding their faith. That was why they started sending letters to the Chruch Administration, requesting for a minister to be sent to Hawaii to lead them in worship services. At that time, the Church had not reached foreign soil yet, apart from the fact that there weren't enough ministers. Furthermore, supervision would be a challenge considering they were overseas. Hence, the Church Administration enjoined the brethren to conduct devotional prayers, and they did so. Every night they prayed, and God answered them.***If you want to know more about the things that you ought to do to be saved come Judgment Day – the Second Advent of Lord Jesus Christ, please call telephone numbers +632 9814311/9811111/71978000 or email your queries to pasugo@iglesianicristo.org.ph.Antonio Papa is currently a trustee of the New Era University in Quezon City and the second head deacon at the Local Congregation of Indang, Ecclesiastical District of Cavite South. He is a retired university professor at the College of Economics, Management and Development Studies, Cavite State University (CvSU) in Indang, Cavite. In 2018, he served as a scientist 1 and consultant at Marinduque State College in Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education degree at the Don Severino Agricultural College now CvSU in 1978, and both Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Extension Education at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, College, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.
