MANILA, Philippines — The religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is set to celebrate this year the golden anniversary of its expansion abroad.
A recent courtesy visit by United States Ambassador Sung Kim to the INC administration kicked off the celebrations.
Kim met with INC executive minister Eduardo Manalo during the visit last Feb.12 at the INC central office in Quezon City.
INC protocol officer Joel San Pedro said Kim is one of the many foreign diplomats who visited their administration as the group is preparing celebrations for the 50th anniversary of its establishment of congregations abroad.
“The timing is perfect as the church is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the West and has grown to around 300 congregations in the US alone,” he explained.
It was on July 27, 1968 when the first overseas congregation of the INC was established in Hawaii.
The second overseas congregation was established in California.
At present, the Church has 6,000 local congregations and missions in 142 countries and territories around the world, with its membership comprising of at least 133 ethnic groups and nationalities.
The INC was first registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, and will be celebrating its 104th anniversary this year.