IN THE LONG HISTORY of God’s commissioning of leaders to His people, biblical accounts emphasize the vitality of His people being submissive to such leaders. Such is significant in fostering unity and spiritual maturity among God’s servants. This connection is much like that of a flock needing trustworthy and responsible shepherds to tend for its welfare.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is God’s chosen nation in the last days. Its members look to the Executive Minister and his helpers—the ministers and ministerial workers—to relay the love, care, and spiritual nourishment that the Father provides. This is to further fortify individual members as they furnish their faith and trust in God.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) School For Ministers (INC-SFM), Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister, officiated at a worship service at the Central Temple in Quezon City, Philippines. In the said gathering, 33 ministerial workers were ordained to become ministers of the gospel and 1,422 ministerial students were conferred the Bachelor of Pastoral Studies and Evangelism (BPSE) degree and took oath as ministerial workers. In addition, 12 ministers were granted the same degree through the Continuing Education Program. On the same occasion, the master’s degree in Evangelical Ministry was conferred to 68 ministers. The momentous gathering was streamed live in 209 remote sites in different districts around the world.

One of these sites was the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Dallas, Texas, Ecclesiastical District of South Central States. Attending there, Brother Gilbert Aniciete, the assistant district supervising minister, witnessed his son, Brother Dexter Jay Aniciete, sworn in as a ministerial worker. He reminisced the time when his son decided to enter the ministry: “Looking back, I often talked to him about the importance of the divine duty of being a minister in the Church, especially during our INC Family Hour. I believe his mother and I were able to instill this in him by always mentioning it in our family prayers. Over and over, they would hear us thank God for the blessing of being in the holy ministry.”

As a minister’s son, Brother Dexter often remarks on how busy his father is in fulfilling his duties, no matter where he is assigned or what tasks need to be done for the Church. “I always see my dad as someone who ‘lives by example.’ I’ve never heard him complain about the challenges he faced in his ministry. He finds happiness in performing his duties and always cares for the brethren’s welfare,” he reflected, recalling the many lessons he learned from his father. He continued, “One of the traits that the Executive Minister teaches from the Bible during the worship service, which my father also emphasizes, is the importance of being studious and having a never-ending pursuit of knowledge, especially the knowledge of God’s words in the Bible, as taught in the INC-SFM. This way, I can always work in accordance with God’s will and the instructions of the Church Administration.”

In addition to being diligent and studious, ministers and ministerial workers in the Church are also taught to be humble and obedient, genuinely loving and caring for the brethren just as the Lord Jesus Christ loves the Church. These important lessons were among those shared by Brother Thabiso Joseph Lebitsa, a graduate from Petrusburg, South Africa, who learned them from the preaching of the Executive Minister. He said, “Brother Eduardo Manalo taught from the Bible that the Lord Jesus is the good shepherd. He gave His life for the flock and serves as the greatest role model for us, ministerial workers in the Church. He has a caring heart and exemplifies humility and obedience to the Almighty Father.”

Upon hearing the verses in the Executive Minister’s homily, he vividly recalled why he joined the holy ministry in the first place. “I joined the ministry because of my honest and sincere desire to help the Church Administration in preparing the Church for our nearing salvation. I firmly believe that God is the One Who called me to join the ministry,” he narrated.

Recognizing the challenges that come with life in the holy ministry, the Church Administration continually teaches ministerial workers to be brave in the midst of hardships and problems. Brother Joseph stated, “I learned that we should not be afraid, whatever the situation is, for God promised to uphold us with His righteousness. This promise was fulfilled in God’s Messenger, Brother Felix Manalo, and continues to be fulfilled in the Church today.” On the day he took his oath as a ministerial worker, Brother Joseph made a personal promise to God: “I will love the Church wholeheartedly and, if necessary, give my life for its sake. I will always carry the same resolve as that of God’s Messenger and the Executive Minister, which is to have a genuine care and concern for the brethren.”

“My life in the ministry is dedicated to serving God and the Church, and that will be my source of happiness,” said Brother Wesley Arnan Febre, a minister’s son from Corpus Christi, Texas. “From God’s teachings, we learn to be content with what we have. It is wrong to be materialistic or be envious of others. God will provide for all our needs,” he continued.  Along with his fellow graduates, he took an oath as a ministerial worker, promising to remain enthusiastic yet patient in performing his ministerial duties. He stated, “My dad taught me that even when faced with pressures and difficulties, he passionately took on his tasks because he was confident that God will never fail to help him. He is prayerful and fully trusts in God’s good plans. He is one of my inspirations in the ministry, and I hope I, too, can fulfill my duties faithfully, with God’s help.”

Brother Ferdinand Febre, a minister of the gospel who is Brother Wesley’s father, always tells him that God is the One Who gives gifts and abilities, and these should be used in serving Him, His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His Church. He said, “At his young age, there were opportunities which became learning experiences. As such scenarios take place, I take the opportunity to discuss those events with him and he learns from the way we handle them.” Now that his son graduated and became a regular ministerial worker, he reminds him to always be grateful and pray that God will utilize him for His holy work and master plan for salvation.

During the worship service, Brother Arnel R. Canicosa, INC-SFM President, presented the graduates to the Executive Minister to confirm their graduation. After the lecture of Brother Eduardo Manalo, Brother Romer D. Galang led the congregation in prayer. This was followed by the oath-taking of the ordinands and ministerial workers led by Brother Bienvenido C. Santiago. Then, the laying of hands by the Executive Minister to the ordinands followed. After the ordination, Brother Canicosa led the prayer. The prayer for the voluntary offerings was led by Brother Ernesto V. Suratos. Brother Angelo Eraño V. Manalo said the benediction.

As the new ministers and ministerial workers begin their assignments in local congregations and take on additional responsibilities, they will immediately step into their roles, embodying God’s unwavering love for the Church and inspiring the brethren. The addition of these new ministers and ministerial workers serves as a testament to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to guide and uphold His people.

By Carl David Manuel and Dan Ranier Nool