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Christian Family Organizations (CFO) officers from various ecclesiastical districts were gathered in a special worship service, for the strengthening of their faith on April 26, 2025. The Central Temple in Quezon City, Philippines served as the host site, with various chapels in districts connected as remote locations, allowing officers from different regions all over the world to participate simultaneously.
The CFO Coordinator, Brother Angelo Eraño V. Manalo, officiated their special gathering. Such occasion was crucial as they unite with the Church Administration in leading their fellow Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members in the various activities of the Church.
Brother Angelo Manalo preached a biblical lesson emphasizing the importance of the officers’ and the members’ being and remaining strong in the faith. “If we will allow our faith to be at a low standard, we will not be saved [on Judgment Day]. That is why it must become stronger and more firm as time passes by. That is what will lead us to salvation,” he explained.
Such biblical inspiration resonated to CFO officers around the world. The following are accounts from some of the attendees:
In the Ecclesiastical District of Texas, congregants convened in the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Austin, Corpus Christi, Houston, and San Antonio.
“As Brother Angelo Manalo gave emphasis that faith has to be founded on God’s words, he reminded the officers to conduct a spiritual check-up and pay attention that they are able to carefully do everything just as how God commanded—without any deviation. Doing so, God promised that everything will go well for them,” shared district CFO overseer Brother Matt Karl Talens.
For the same occasion, CFO officers in the Hawaii-Pacific Ecclesiastical District gathered at the Waipahu Local Congregation house of worship.
“Having strong faith is for our salvation, an important goal for true Christians,” KADIWA district president Janela Boy from the Maili Local Congregation, remarked. “For that, we must hold our faith firmly being likened to a good carpenter that can build a solid foundation.”
The Ecclesiastical District of Malaysia designated as remote sites the places of worship of the Local Congregations of Johor Bahru, Penang, and Jakarta, Indonesia where CFO officers, such as the Binhi, gathered to the venue nearest them. “Teenagers nowadays are exposed to different cultures that can be distractions in fulfilling duties in the Church,” said Binhi officer Era Lyovel Lising from the Kuala Lumpur Congregation. “Members of the Church Of Christ should have a firm foundation of faith, always attentive and careful to do what the Lord [God] commanded us.”
“Listening to the teaching during the worship service has strengthened my hope,” deaconess and Buklod officer Armelyn Hsu from Toufen City Congregation enthused, adding, “I will further dedicate myself in the sacred duty, endure hardships, and remain prayerful so that my faith will remain unshaken, no matter the trials I face.” She and fellow CFO officers in Taiwan Ecclesiastical District, attended in the places of worship of Hukou, Guishan, Luzhu, and Zhongli Local Congregations.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, CFO officers in the Ecclesiastical District of Calamba City, Laguna attended at the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Calamba City. Having been reminded to lead the brethren in living by faith, KADIWA district officer Jenyzelle Dela Cruz said, “I learned not conform to the works of the world but I should be a good example before the brethren.”
“In such a day when many people are busy with various works, when we heard that the special worship service will be officiated by Brother Angelo Eraño Manalo we were glad that we will have the opportunity to listen to the preaching of the strongest helper of our Executive Minister,” said deacon Jerry Sagmit from the Local Congregation of Guagua, Ecclesiastical District of Pampanga West.
“The brethren were filled with joy, wholeheartedly uniting in the activity launched by the family organizations,” Aurora District supervising minister Brother Reynaldo Flores observed. The CFO officers in the said district congregated in the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Baler, Dilasag, Dinalungan, and Maligaya. “Upon hearing that Brother Angelo Manalo would officiate, they eagerly prepared and arrived early at the chapel, eager to listen to the teachings—firm in their faith with such a great blessing,” Brother Flores added.
“I deeply thank God because through the special worship service led by our CFO Coordinator, I was reminded of the great responsibility to safeguard my divine election, to ensure my place in His promised blessings at the end,” Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija District Buklod president Nowel Ramos expressed. “Though life brings challenges and hardships, the truth is that nothing is more valuable than our divine election, for no trial can ever compare to the salvation that is soon to be attained.” The houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Bitas, Bucot, Camp Tinio, and Talavera of the said district served as remote sites.
The Ecclesiastical District of Capiz assigned as remote sites for the occasion the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Mambusao and Pontevedra. “Attending this special worship service led by Brother Angelo has been truly a blessing. I’ve been further inspired to wholeheartedly fulfill my duties in the Church,” said district multimedia director Irene De Leon.
CFO officers in the Carcar City, Cebu District attended the gathering at the houses of worship of Carcar City and Mainggit Congregations. “This worship service is a great help. It has provided renewed enthusiasm among the officers,” Buklod district officer Mary Grace Cantal from Langtad Congregation remarked.
“I genuinely felt the guidance of the Lord upon His officers inside the Church,” enthused KADIWA officer Harny Gin Arangorin from Apokon Congregation, Ecclesiastical District of Davao del Norte. The district leadership gathered the CFO officers in remote sites, which were the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Kapalong, Panabo City, Sto. Tomas, and Tagum City.
The Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur District had as remote sites the Dimataling, Dumalinao, and Mahayag Congregations houses of worship. Meanwhile, at the adjacent district, Buug, Zamboanga Del Sur, the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Bayog, Buug, Imelda, and Talusan were the remote sites. “We sincerely thank the Church Administration for the unwavering care and guidance, which strengthens our faith. This special worship service has helped us continue to grow spiritually,” Buklod president Rosalino Oman of Sicade Congregation expressed.
Four houses of worship in the Victoria, Australia Ecclesiastical District became the venues for the gathering of CFO officers. These were of the Local Congregations of Adelaide, Melbourne, Lae City, and Port Moresby.
“I held various CFO duties when I was young and having taken these duties shaped me as the person I am today as these really helped me understand that the establishment of the Christian Family Organizations is to edify the brethren,” explained Buklod officer Carlo Matining from the Melbourne Congregation.
“I felt that in all the years as a CFO officer, all the activities and reminders that I received through the Church Administration helped me to look after my spiritual health and to appreciate being a member of the Church Of Christ.”
New South Wales District CFO officers congregated at the Minchinbury house of worship. “The biblical preaching really resonated with me in particular the importance of having moral courage and personal integrity,” said Buklod district president Fernando Ian David from Penrith Congregation. “I will embed this in my life by upholding righteousness in the face of challenges and trials and standing firm in my Christian beliefs and values no matter the circumstances in my life.”
Meanwhile, officers of the CFO in New Zealand North District united in the activity attending at the houses of worship of the Local Congregations of Auckland, Hamilton, Papakura, and Wellington.
With their respective families in attendance at Scarborough house of worship, CFO officers in the Eastern Ontario District were reminded the importance of their Church obligations.
“It’s important for CFO officers to attend activities like this with their families so that they can receive guidance direct from the Church Administration, especially from Brother Angelo Manalo,” district CFO overseer Brother Ramon Palacios, explained. “The concern of the Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo that Christian families should be strong, active, and dedicated in their services, to stand their ground in being righteous is being echoed by our CFO Coordinator. CFO officers should be good examples, check their faith and continuously be reminded of the importance of their duties.”
“From what I’ve learned during the study of God’s words, no matter what happens in my life, I will always hold on strongly to my faith,” said Binhi president Karson Miranda from the Hamptons Congregation, Edmonton Ecclesiastical District. Together with fellow CFO officers, they convened at the Eastwood Local Congregation house of worship for the said occasion.
On May 10, CFO officers in the Ecclesiastical District of Mediterranean listened to the said homily of Brother Angelo Eraño Manalo through videostreaming. The remote sites were the places of worship of the Congregations of Athens, Jerusalem, and Tel-Aviv. In the next day, CFO officers attended in the places of worship of the Local Congregations of Haifa, Limassol, Larnaca, and Nicosia as well as in Istanbul Group Worship Service.
“The message in the worship service reminded me that performing my duty is a privilege and a true expression of faith, trust, and love for God,” said Buklod president Reymarck Gabriel from the Jerusalem Congregation. “I felt renewed in my faith and determined to always give my best in my duty so that I may remain worthy of God’s blessings and inspire my fellow brethren wherever I may be.”
CFO officers in the Northern Europe Ecclesiastical District, also heard the same message through videostreaming worship service on May 11 in the places of worship of the Local Congregations of Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Oslo East, Prague, Stockholm, and Vienna.
“CFO officers remain steadfast in their worship despite life’s challenges because of God’s guidance and love,” district supervising minister Brother Vizar Balcita explained. “Through the teachings of the Church Administration, they are further inspired to fulfill their duties, knowing that doing so brings joy to our heavenly Father.” — With reports from INC News Section
