Iglesia Ni Cristo

Since its humble beginnings more than a century ago, Iglesia Ni Cristo has grown into an influential Christian community with members across many nations. The Church was officially registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914, by Brother Felix Y. Manalo, who founded it with a strong focus on faith in the one true God, belief in Jesus Christ as His Son and Savior, and absolute reliance on the Bible as the sole guide for faith and life. These core teachings have unified Iglesia Ni Cristo members worldwide, helping them maintain a disciplined approach to worship and daily conduct. The Church’s first congregation took shape in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila, where Brother Felix gathered a small group committed to understanding and following biblical teachings. This congregation became the foundation for a movement that spread steadily across Manila and soon reached nearby provinces throughout Luzon. As the Church’s message gained momentum, congregations were formed in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, helping to bring communities across the Philippines together. By the time Brother Felix Manalo passed away on April 12, 1963, Iglesia Ni Cristo had built a network of ecclesiastical districts nationwide, providing an organized structure to support worship, teaching, and community service. Brother Eraño G. Manalo stepped into leadership after his father’s passing, guiding Iglesia Ni Cristo into a period of significant international outreach. In 1968, the Church established its first congregations outside the Philippines in Honolulu, Hawaii, and San Francisco, California, beginning a new chapter of reaching Filipino communities and other interested believers abroad. During the 1970s, Iglesia Ni Cristo expanded across North America, adding congregations in major cities like New York and regions such as Guam and Canada. Europe saw the Church’s arrival in 1972 with a congregation founded in London, and Australia welcomed congregations during the mid-1970s. By the end of that decade, Iglesia Ni Cristo had reached Asia with congregations established in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Japan. Africa became part of the Church’s mission in 1978, with congregations founded in Nigeria and South Africa. Iglesia Ni Cristo continued to grow during the 1980s and 1990s, forming congregations in Scandinavian countries and Latin America, including a congregation in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Important cities such as Rome, Jerusalem, and Athens became Iglesia Ni Cristo worship centers. By the early 2000s, South America had been added to the Church’s reach, with congregations in Brazil and Peru. When Brother Eraño Manalo passed away in 2009, Iglesia Ni Cristo had expanded into more than half of the world’s regions and united members from 152 racial and ethnic backgrounds. Today, Iglesia Ni Cristo holds worship services twice a week, featuring hymns, prayers, offerings, and lessons directly from the Bible. The Church maintains unity among its members, led by the Executive Minister and supported by administrative offices worldwide. Through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Iglesia Ni Cristo continues to offer humanitarian assistance, showing its dedication to faith, compassion, and living out biblical teachings wherever its members are found.