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The Ecclesiastical District of Texas conducted a four-part series of ‘Appreciation Day’ to commend and further boost Church officers, as well as their respective families, in four different regions of the district. During these events, the supervising ministers in the district delivered a homily to the attendees—Church officers along with their family members—regarding the importance of Church duties and how they can effectively perform their respective functions.
“The Church officers are helpers of the Church Administration in taking care of the brethren in their spiritual welfare. These appreciation events give the Church officers more inspiration to all the more intensify their efforts in performing their various responsibilities inside the Church,” said Brother Ricky S. Bravo, district edification and Church officers overseer.
The Church officers appreciation series began on June 21, 2025, at the house of worship compound of the Local Congregation of Edinburg. Joining the Church officers there were those from the Corpus Christi Congregation.
After the Bible-based lecture delivered by district supervising minister Brother Noel C. Caritativo, the Church officers enjoyed a program prepared by the Christian Family Organizations officers, which included games and select brethren’s musical performances of songs from the INC Original Music.
The second in the series was that held at the San Antonio Congregation house of worship compound on June 28, 2025. Church officers in the Local Congregation of Universal City were also present at the said venue. They were led by assistant supervising minister Brother Teodorico S. Samson Jr.
“In performing my Church duties, I strive to stay alert and focused, knowing that I have a part in keeping the orderliness of the worship service. I always remind myself that God is watching me as I perform my duties,” said Kenpaolo Larracas, a Technical Support for Video streaming officer and Children’s Worship Service officer.
The following week, Church officers from the Local Congregations of Houston and Sugarland traveled to Humble Congregation’s house of worship to join the Church officers there for their region’s Appreciation Day, on July 4.
After the homily of Brother Caritativo, 19 qualified deacons and deaconesses, as approved by the Church Administration, received a recognition signed by the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, for their many years of service inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) through their respective Church duties.
Among the recipients of the recognition were husband and wife Archimedes Sr. and Presentacion Febre. “I’ve been a deacon for 47 years, and my wife a deaconess for 43 years. Ever since I was a CWS member, I’ve always had a high regard for Church officers. This faith is what I’ve instilled in my children: Ferdinand, who is now a minister of the gospel, and Archimedes Jr., who is also a deacon like myself,” said Archimedes Sr., who is the head deacon of the Humble Congregation.
The last day of the Church officers appreciation series was held at the house of worship compound of Killeen Congregation, on July 12, led by the district supervising minister. Church officers from the local congregations of Killeen and Austin gathered in said venue, two of which also received a recognition from the Executive Minister for their long-time service as deacon and deaconess.
“We are thankful to the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, as well as to the Deputy Executive Minister, Brother Angelo Eraño V. Manalo, for remembering the Church officers here in our district. This appreciation day has brought much joy to the Church officers, especially to those who have received a recognition for still holding their Church duties for many years now,” said Brother Caritativo on behalf of the officers.
Proving her unity with the Church in all works, including socio-civic activities, Jenelyn Regencia, choir member in the Local Congregation of Torrijos, stated, “Even if I have many other things to do for the day, I made sure that I never miss in taking part in activities launched by the Church Administration.”
“We witnessed how joyful the brethren in our district were in participating in the activities, and we are thankful because the efforts for these activities to be done were not put to waste,” expressed Amiel Shahril Salvador, district Buklod president.
Brother Sabado acknowledged that the activities “inspired the brethren to remain devoted in upholding their divine election.” He added that everything was made possible out of God’s help through the Church Administration. “It is the conviction of brethren in our district to continue in fulfilling their duties, and in keeping their spiritual fervor so that they remain certain of giving glory to God,” he stated.
Marinduque is “a heart-shaped island which lies between the Bondoc Peninsula at the south-eastern part of Luzon and the island of Mindoro” (marinduque.gov.ph) and is considered as the geographical center of the country, thus the nickname “the heart of the Philippines.”
The ecclesiastical district in Marinduque was established on April 1950, with Brother Pablo de Leon as its first supervising minister. Currently, the district is comprised of 24 local congregations, 3 extensions, and 7 group worship services (GWS). — With reports from Khristina Chasandra Seño and Ralp Vincent Reño
