Photo shows (L-R): Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno receives a coffee table book from  Iglesia ni Cristo Minister Rob Polancos (center). Joining in the photo is Ms. Des Aceñas, an INC official

(17 April 2018, Honolulu, Hawaii) - Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) Minister Rob Polancos, together with other INC officials and media crew from Eagle Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), INC’s television and radio network, paid a courtesy call on Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno at the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, Hawaii on 17 March 2018.

Founded in 1914, the INC or Church of Christ is a global Christian Church that upholds Bible-based Christian teachings. It comprises of 6,000 local congregations and missions in 142 countries and territories (around 370 local congregations and missions are in the US and Canada alone), and its membership consists of 133 ethnic groups and nationalities.

In 1968, INC’s Executive Minister, the late Brother Eraño G. Manalo officiated the first overseas worship service of the INC in Hawaii. Around 40 members attended the service in a small sugar plantation house in Ewa Beach, in Oahu, Hawaii. This marked the establishment of the first congregation of the INC, which became the Local Congregation of Honolulu. INC now has a total of 19 congregations throughout Hawaii.

Because of the incremental expansion of the INC in Hawaii, it has become an Ecclesiastical District called Hawaii-Pacific, consisting of INC congregations in Hawaii, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and American Samoa.

During the courtesy call, Minister Polancos and Mr. Alfred Aceñas of EBC Hawaii, informed the Consul General of major activities of the INC in celebration of the 50th year anniversary of the founding of INC in Hawaii, such as the 2nd Worldwide Walk to Fight Poverty on 5 May 2018, the dedication of a new house of worship in Ewa Beach, which could seat 1,000 individuals; and the 50th Anniversary Celebration to be held at the Blaisdell Arena, where INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo is expected to attend.

Consul General Jimeno also discussed several of his priorities as Consul General, including providing timely assistance to Filipinos in distress and engaging the Filipino American community. (END).