One with their fellow brethren all over the world in celebrating the anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), members of the Local Congregation of Templo Central commemorated this momentous occasion through a Thanksgiving worship service officiated by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister, at the Central Temple in Quezon City, Philippines. This event was also held in commemoration of the Central Temple’s 40th anniversary, as it was dedicated to the Almighty God on July 27, 1984.

Brother Virgilio Asuncion, fondly known as Brother ‘Ver’, a deacon assisting in the podium, noted from the preaching of God’s words by the Executive Minister, “We are being exhorted to strive to do our best to please the Lord God. It has been almost 40 years since I first performed this duty and yet I still strive not to falter in serving God because I know it is here in the Church Of Christ where I will attain my salvation.”

It was in 1985 when Brother Ver took oath to become a deacon. He was then living in Brunei and working in an oil and gas company. “Our house was used as a place for the Seria committee prayer group since there were only a few brethren in that location during that time. The minister saw the need in our area for more officers in the Church and he encouraged me to attend the seminars, so I can become a deacon.”

Brother Ver further recollected, “There were times when non-Filipinos would attend our worship service, so I had to lead congregational prayers in English. Knowing that this was not my native language, I always asked for God’s help whenever I performed my duty. I asked Him to guide me in leading the prayers; that I may fulfill my duty in a manner pleasing to Him.”

After 11 years abroad, Brother Ver went home to the Philippines in 1996 and continued fulfilling his duty in the Local Congregation of Templo Central, “Here, I am also able to use my experience from Brunei whenever they assign me to lead the prayers in the English Worship Service and, as I have always done, I seek the Father’s mercy whenever I perform my duty.”

Now 70 years old, Brother Ver has also encountered different trials, one of which was when he suffered a mild stroke in 2020 and again in early 2024. “I was using the computer and I realized I could not move the mouse; my wife came to help me and brought me to the hospital where I was confined for three days. The doctors gave me maintenance medicines to take.”

When asked what keeps him going each day, Brother Ver firmly said, “I always put my trust in what God can do for me. As the Church Administration always reminds us, we must remain steadfast in our faith and obedient to the words of God so that we can be pleasing to Him. I find joy in seeing my children and my grandchildren active in the Church. Although we now live separately in different places and they have their own families, my children would still visit me and my wife. In those times, we never forget to pray to the Lord God. Through the use of technology, we are also able to have our devotional prayers altogether. For these things, I am all the more thankful to the Almighty God.”

Another officer in the Church who attended the Thanksgiving worship service officiated by the Executive Minister was Sister Janice Misa, who performed her duty as a choir member. “I am thankful to the Lord God for helping me and my family to remain in our duties and divine election. My husband is a deacon and my daughter and I are both choir members. Thankfully, we are able to continue performing our duties because the Almighty Father heeds our prayers to Him. I am also thankful that He heals us when we get sick.”

Sister Janice recounted, “One of the challenges that my family faced was when we were in and out of the hospital due to my son’s condition since he has autism spectrum disorder and suffered seizure attacks. And then, I was diagnosed with mixed autoimmune diseases—rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.”

Despite these difficulties, Sister Janice remains strong in her faith. “Our family conducts devotional prayers every night and we also continue with the anointing of oil. We put our faith and hope in God  because He is the One Who will help us in our times of need and will relieve us from our pains,” she said.

“Amidst all the trials we encounter, my family remains happy in serving the Lord God. We are also thankful that He blessed my daughter to have graduated from college this year,” Sister Janice further added, as she attests to the never-ending kindness of the Almighty Father.

Sister Janice promised, “I will never waver in doing good things because I know that this is what pleases God. I can feel His mercy and grace through all the hardships that we face, and I know He will continue blessing my family as we remain serving and pleasing Him.” 

By Maniel Angeline Soriano