Last of six partsIN this column last month, we dealt lengthily with the correlation between the phrase 'greener pastures' and Filipino migration especially those pioneer farm laborers in Hawaii and California.Included among the migrant workers are Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members who served as God's chosen ones for the prophesied expansion of the Church in the Far West, particularly in Hawaii and California.They served as pioneering members of the two established local congregations outside the Philippines – Ewa Beach in Hawaii and San Francisco in California, USA.God's prophetic words are recorded in the Bible: 'From the far East (Philippines) will I bring your offspring, and from the far West (Hawaii and California) I will gather you' (Isa. 43:5 Moffatt Translation).The first part of an article titled 'From the Far East to the Far West and Beyond' written by Brother Dennis Lovendino, INC Minister of the Gospel published in the Editorial Section of the 'Pasugo: God's Message' in its July 2023 was quoted.The last portion of the above article will be featured this time.'The inception of the Church in those places became the springboard of its ensuing worldwide expansion. After the United States, where the Iglesia Ni Cristo today already has 18 ecclesiastical districts and more than 400 local congregations, extensions, and Group Worship Services (GWS), the Church established congregations in Canada, Europe, Australia, America, and Africa. Currently, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has congregations in 165 (now 166) countries and territories in the six habitable continents in the world. Through the intensified campaign to propagate God's words, which was spearheaded by our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the growth and expansion of the Church continue by leaps and bounds.'The rapid growth of the Church Of Christ in the African continent is a microcosm of its global expansion. When Brother Eduardo V. Manalo conducted his first pastoral visit to Africa, in King William's Town in South Africa, on Aug. 30, 2014, the Church only had one local congregation, one extension, and seven GWS in the entire continent. Today, the Church already has 33 local congregations, 37 extensions, and 54 GWS in Africa. At present, three ecclesiastical districts oversee the congregations of the Church established in the continent's 35 countries.'It's also worth mentioning the intensive works of propagation of the Church in various parts of the world, such as in India, in Brazil and other Latin American countries, in the various islands of Micronesia, and in the far-flung corners of the world. As a result, the Church's demography now consists of 151 (now 152) various races and nationalities.'Some may be wondering: How can the Iglesia Ni Cristo successfully foster and uphold unity among its members, given the fact that they come from diverse ethnicities and socio-cultural background? Those who ask this obviously have observed that wherever the Church members may be in the world, they seem to be unified in all their spiritual endeavors.'It should not come as a surprise that Iglesia Ni Cristo members faithfully uphold unity in all aspects of their religious undertakings. Being one in everything is actually a distinct characteristic of the true church, the body of Christ: 'There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all' (Eph. 4:4-6 NKJV).'In the one body or Church (Col. 1:18), there is one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God – the Father Who is above all and in us all. Apostle Paul also reminded the Christians that although they are many, they are members of only one body of Christ: 'For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another' (Rom. 12:4-5 NKJV).'Apostle Paul also emphasized their unity despite their diversity: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus' (Gal. 3:28 NKJV).'To cater to the spiritual needs of all members wherever in the world they may be, our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, conducts pastoral visitations all the world, to personally see the conditions of the brethren and impart spiritual gifts to them especially now that living in the world is getting more difficult by the day since the end of the world is near, as evidenced by the heart-rending and unusual events taking place in our time. And even during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when most of the world had been in lockdown, the Executive Minister continued reaching out to the members through live streaming and video streaming worship services.'As we commemorate the 109th founding anniversary of the Church and the 55th year of its inception in the West, we will never forget to render to the Almighty God our thanksgiving in recognition of His faithfulness in fulfilling His prophecies about the promises to the Church. We do acknowledge that everything that has happened in the Church, from its beginnings to its present glorious posture, is but a fulfillment of God's prophetic words as written in the Holy Scriptures. To Him, we offer all the praises and the glory.'As specified, the Church Of Christ is currently scattered the six habitable continents worldwide, in 166 countries and territories which comprised of 152 ethnicities, nationalities and races, thus, now – a global Church.* * *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 +6329814311/9811111/71978000 or email your queries to pasugo@iglesianicristo.org.ph.Antonio Papa is 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, now Marinduque State University in Boac, Marinduque. He graduated with a 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 Los Baños, College, Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.
