Three new houses of worship.
Thousands aided through a series of Aid For Humanity events.
In this special report of Church News,
join us as we look back in the historic events
that took place in the continent of Africa.
In the fast growth of the Church Of Christ in the African continent,
the pastoral visitation of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo has a big role
in the Local Congregation of King William's Town last August 30, 2014.
Multitudes of people attended the worship service, evangelical mission,
officiated by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
The Executive Minister saw the joy of those who attended
and their yearning to know the teachings that we believe.
After two years,
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo returned
to personally officiate a series of dedication of new houses of worship to God in Africa.
The Local Congregation of Johannesburg was first dedicated,
followed by the Local Congregation of Cape Town, both in South Africa.
After a year, another series of big activities were witnessed in this part of Africa.
From Johannesburg, capital city of South Africa, it is almost 400 kilometers going to Thaba Nchu.
This place is an area in the province of Free State.
It was February of this year, when the construction of the house of worship began.
After only 6 months of construction, the house of worship of Thaba Nchu was finished.
This house of worship can accommodate 180 worshipers in each gathering.
July 30, 2017.
The new house of worship was dedicated to God.
Led by the ministers and ministerial workers,
the Church members in this place offered praises to the Lord God.
By the instruction of the Executive Minister of the Church Of Christ, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo,
the first worship service in the new worship building of the local congregation of Thaba Nchu
was officiated by Brother Matt Pareja, minister of the gospel.
For members of the Church Of Christ,
the successes they witnessed gave them renewed inspiration in their services to the Lord God
especially for the pioneer members in this place like Sister Monica.
Just for this moment, many of the residents already showed their interest
in examining the Church Of Christ.
From the new house of worship in Thaba Nchu in Free State, South Africa,
we once again traveled to another project that was just finished.
This time, we need to cross countries to Semongkong, in the country of Lesotho.
From Maseru, the capital of Lesotho, we traveled for another two hours.
It was only last year, 2016, when the teachings of the Church Of Christ reached this place.
One of the ministers assigned here is Brother Andrey Silva.
The life of people here is really simple, they are self-sustaining for the food they consume,
they have a farm, they have their own livestock.
When we conducted evangelical missions, when we conducted our Bible studies,
they just sat down on the grass.
For the immediate propagation of the faith, they were assisted by translators.
Because of the intensive work of propagation of faith in this place,
led by the ministers, ministerial workers together with their respective translators,
there was a rapid increase of membership in the Church of Christ.
At present, many of the residents in this village are now members of the Church Of Christ.
That is also one of the primary reasons why they were given a house of worship.
At present, the 300-seater house of worship is the only landmark in Ha Fochane village .
On August 2, before the worship service started in this place,
led by the village chieftain, they showed their acceptance of the Church Of Christ through a parade.
Afterwards they attended the worship service together with many people who are examining the Church,
new members, and Church members from nearby places.
The dedication to the Lord God of the house of worship
was led by Brother Glicerio Santos Jr., minister of the Gospel.
In order to understand the teachings of the Lord God,
the translator for the English language was Brother Rommel Sanvictores
and for the Sotho language was Brother Moiloa Monatisa.
We thank God for using the Church Administration as instrument
because the worship service was brought closer to the people here in Ha Fochane village.
After the first gathering in the new house of worship in Ha Fochane,
they conducted the activity "Aid To Humanity."
After the Aid To Humanity in this community,
we proceeded to Maseru where a multitude of poor residents were waiting for us.
Countless "kea leboha" or "thank you"
this can be heard from thousands of residents who received aid.
This is the second time that the Church Of Christ held an Aid To Humanity here at the Setsoto Stadium.
According also to him, this outreach program is very timely
because of the extreme poverty experienced by the people of Maseru.
In the Aid To Humanity held for the people of Maseru,
the first ones to be given aid are the residents with disabilities.
The people went home happy
not only because they brought home food parcels
but because of the inspiration brought by the love and care for them by the members of the Church Of Christ.
Brother Eduardo Manalo really loves the Africans
because he sees the poverty of Africa;
he sees that Africans are truly kind
and religious people.
The Church Of Christ is propagating the words of God
for them to know about the true God.
Second, we give out food, and livelihood opportunities
because that is the commandment of our Lord God that we love our fellowmen.
After the series of activities in the country of Lesotho,
we traveled back to South Africa.
A day before the dedication to God of the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Ladybrand,
the brethren continued in the intensive propagation of God's words.
Our companions in the distribution of pamphlets, God's Message magazines, and invitations
are those in the process of joining the Church Of Christ.
Although they are not yet full-fledged members of the Church Of Christ,
they are already very excited to join the Church activities
like what we are doing now, the propagation of God's words.
The next day, the brethren prepared early to attend the first worship service
in the newest edifice here in Ladybrand.
This can accomodate 800 worshipers each gathering.
The dedication to God of the house of worship in the Local Congregation of Ladybrand
was officiated by the Executive Minister of the Church Of Christ, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
Brother Roger Rafols has been in Africa for already 40 years.
He is one of the pioneer members who first reached this continent.
He is overjoyed for the successive victories he witnessed.
I am truly grateful to God that I reached this day.
I am already 77 years old.
I saw how the Church spread,
and the construction of many houses of worship here.
My heart brims with thankfulness to God for the blessings he bestowed to this place.
This is all from God and He used as an instrument our beloved Executive Minister
so that the Church will spread here.
The three new houses of worship in Thaba Nchu,
Ha Fochane,
and Ladybrand
are only parts of the series of projects here in the African continent.
After the dedication to God of the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Ladybrand,
a huge Aid To Humanity event was held.
Manyatseng
this is considered as the poorest community here in the municipality of Mantsopa,
in the province of Free State, South Africa.
This venue of the Aid To Humanity activity is only a few meters away from Manyatseng
where the poorest residents of Ladybrand live.
During the activity (Lingap) the need of the residents here can be truly felt.
Like the Aid To Humanity that was held in Maseru in Lesotho,
the giving of aid to the residents was also peaceful and orderly.
Through a video presentation, both the residents and former pastors of different religions
the giving of help of the Church Of Christ
and its victories in the many aspects of services to the Lord God.
The leaders of the town of Mantsopa also extended their gratefulness
for the Church Of Christ's contribution to their community.
Brother Eduardo V. Manalo wants to extend not only this temporary help
but to provide permanent livelihood and housing projects as well.
We saw how poor they are.
It is important that we join hands in order to fight poverty.
At present, the Church Of Christ is already established in 139 countries and territories...
... and like what can be witnessed in different places,
in the neighboring areas of South Africa and Lesotho,
the [Church Of Christ] continues to show concern for our fellowmen
especially when it comes for the sake of their spiritual life.
We are truly thankful to our Executive Minister
for their continued help and pastoral visitations here in the District of Africa.
This brings us joy and renewed faith
because we earnestly feel his love, concern, and help,
and we see that Brother Eduardo is God's instrument
for the further growth of the Church Of Christ not only here in the District of Africa,
but throughout the whole world.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét