New houses of worship continue to rise

By RONNIE H. MUTYA and VENICIO T. BASCO

Economic meltdown is one of the major effects of the global pandemic, yet the Church Of Christ, through the leadership of the Church Administration, continues to build houses of worship all over the world because doing such pleases the Almighty God.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo faithful firmly believe that the unceasing construction of new houses of worship and renovation of old ones is a manifestation of God’s goodness to His people in these last days. For them, the Church’s success in this holy endeavor is His handiwork, which they are thankful for.

The building of houses of worship was never and will never be hampered even by the worsening condition of this world as it is the conviction of Church members that with every house of worship dedicated to God, He is truly pleased. Moreover, this is where they take shelter in God from their troubles and most especially, to gather to worship Him, extol His greatness, and give Him glory.

Notable among the Church’s projects this year is the renovation of the 1,616-seater house of worship of Davao City Local Congregation in Davao West Ecclesiastical District and now a 1,800 seater house of worship which magnificently stands along General Malvar St., Poblacion, Davao City, Philippines. It was dedicated to God during a special worship service officiated by the Executive Minister himself, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo. His preaching was streamed live from the Sanctuary of the Central Temple in Quezon City on August 8, 2020 to the brethren gathered in the refurbished worship building.

Brother Bienvenido Manalo, head of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Engineering and Construction Department, attested to the Church’s robust construction program vigorously being pursued by the present Church Administration through the leadership of Brother Eduardo Manalo for the sake of every local congregation.

“The building of houses of worship, since the time of God’s Messenger in these last days`, Brother Felix Y. Manalo, was upheld by Brother Eraño G. Manalo, and is continued by the current Church Administration. The numbers of the Church’s houses of worship are remarkably increasing,” he said in an interview.

The following are some of the houses of worship dedicated to God in the Philippines in the year 2020:

Luzon districts

Local Congregation: San Julian
Ecclesiastical District: San Carlos City, Pangasinan
Date of dedication: August 28, 2020

Local Congregation: Bail
Ecclesiastical District: La Union
Date of dedication: September 12, 2020

Local Congregation: Balioeg
Ecclesiastical District: Batac City, Ilocos Norte
Date of dedication: September 27, 2020

Local Congregation: Ragay
Ecclesiastical District: Naga City, Camarines Sur
Date of dedication: October 9, 2020

Local Congregation: San Agustin
Ecclesiastical District: Zambales North
Date of dedication: October 16, 2020

Local Congregation: Tabe
Ecclesiastical District: Bulacan South
Date of dedication: October 31, 2020

Local Congregation: Lantuyan
Ecclesiastical District: Mindoro Oriental
Date of dedication: November 20, 2020

Local Congregation: Bagtas
Ecclesiastical District: Cavite South
Date of dedication: November 27, 2020

Local Congregation: Busdak
Ecclesiastical District: Quezon South
Date of dedication: December 4, 2020

Visayan region

Local Congregation: Igdalaquit
Ecclesiastical District: Antique
Date of dedication: January 31, 2020

Local Congregation: West Budlasan
Ecclesiastical District: Negros del Norte
Date of dedication: August 14, 2020

Local Congregation: Roxas City
Ecclesiastical District: Capiz
Date of dedication: December 12, 2020

Mindanao

Local Congregation: New Cebu
Ecclesiastical District: Davao del Norte
Date of dedication: July 17, 2020

Local Congregation: Sawata
Ecclesiastical District: Davao del Norte
Date of dedication: July 17, 2020

Local Congregation: Sominot
Ecclesiastical District: Zamboanga del Sur
Date of dedication: July 17, 2020

Local Congregation: Linao
Ecclesiastical District: Davao del Norte
Date of dedication: July 18, 2020

Local Congregation: Malangas
Ecclesiastical District: Zamboanga del Sur
Date of dedication: July 31, 2020

Local Congregation: Jabonga
Ecclesiastical District: Agusan del Norte
Date of dedication: August 21, 2020

Local Congregation: Sta. Maria
Ecclesiastical District: Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
Date of dedication: November 20, 2020

Barangay (village) chapels inaugurated in 2020
The project of constructing barangay (village) chapels started in the time of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo with the aim of having a nearer place of worship for the brethren in areas far from the center of towns or cities.

Extension: Santiago SM
Ecclesiastical District: Cagayan West
Date of inauguration: February 14, 2020

Extension: Dagatan
Ecclesiastical District: Cavite South
Date of inauguration: July 23, 2020

Local Congregation: Sagrada
Ecclesiastical District: Naga City, Camarines Sur
Date of inauguration: August 14, 2020

Local Congregation: Maria Elena
Ecclesiastical District: Valladolid, Negros Occidental Ecclesiastical District
Date of inauguration: January 22, 2020

The number of barangay chapels built in the Philippines this year is 39.

The Church Of Christ continues to obey the commandment of the Lord God “to build the temple” or house of worship for in this He takes pleasure and is glorified (Hag. 1:8 New King James Version). These sacred edifices are chosen by God as the place where He will hear all the prayers offered there by the people of His nation (II Chr. 7:13‒16 Good News Bible) that they may receive peace and His blessings. Being God’s people in these last days, Church Of Christ members will devotedly uphold their duty to worship and praise the Almighty God in the house of worship (Ps. 138:2).