Campus Press

Leading with compassion

"Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality," says Warren Bennis. One of the good qualities that
a leader possesses is compassion. And, leading with compassion inspires the subordinates and the members of
the organization. Compassion is "a sympathy, usually granted because of unusual or distressing
circumstances."

Accordingly, "compassion is to recognize the suffering of others and then take action to help. It embodies a
tangible expression of love for those who are suffering."

Caring for humankind

Invoking love, care and compassion for humankind, the Church Of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) is
sponsoring various programs to reach out the needy families, indigenous peoples and victims of calamities.
Extending the helping hands is a usual act of INC not only in the Philippines but also worldwide.

Championing for the Church's humanitarian cause is the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation, Inc. through its
helping arm, the Lingap sa Mamamayan or Aid to Humanity.

According to Brother Edwil Zabala, INC spokesperson, "The Church's outreach programs are ways to promote
understanding among mankind and are aligned with the teachings of the Bible."

The Special Issue of the Pasugo: God's Message (2020) narrates, "To fulfill God's command of loving one's
fellowmen, the INC continues to reach out and help people in need. To fight poverty where it can, the Church
Administration established the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc. and the UNLAD International, Inc. with
facilities and livelihood projects in different locations in the Philippines and other countries."

It added that "Through the FYM Foundation, the Church of Christ has created programs such as eco-farming
projects, housing and livelihood projects, free medical and dental missions, and Aid to Humanity activities
which are all aimed at helping others, especially the calamity-struck neighborhoods around the world. These
programs benefit Church members and nonmembers alike."

Brother Eduardo V. Manalo and wife Lynn Ventura-Manalo while cutting the ribbon during the inauguration of the New Era
Resettlement and Eco-Farming Site in Sitio New Era, Barangay Langit, Alangalang, Leyte. PHOTOS FROM INC GALLERY

Another proof of the Church's helping hands, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, was the conduct of a
worldwide Aid to Humanity every October 31, commencing in 2020.
Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo

This Church's charitable act coincides with the birth date of INC's Executive Minister, Brother
Eduardo V. Manalo. He gave the go signal to augment the needed funds for the global activity
through the FYM Foundation.

The Church is observing the usual protocol being implemented by the government while the INC
distributes the goody bags to the indigent residents in the respective communities worldwide, where
there are INC locale congregations.

The Foundation's programs

The Aid to Humanity is being supported by the INC's FYM Foundation Inc. Aside from distributing
goods for the beneficiaries' immediate needs, the Aid to Humanity has conducted several medical
and dental missions worldwide prior to the occurrence of the pandemic.

Portion of the New Era Resettlement and Eco-Farming Site in Sitio New Era, Barangay Langit, Alangalang,

Leyte.
INC also has established resettlement and livelihood programs with lasting impact to the lives of its
recipients –– whether INC members or nonmembers.

The FYM Foundation has established and maintains eco-farms in the country, South Africa and the
United States, among others. In all of the INC's eco-farm sites, organic farming is being practiced for
a healthy and safe food products.

The eco-farm sites in the Philippines are in San Miguel, Bulacan; Paracale, Camarines Norte; Naic,
Cavite; Barrio Maligaya and Barangay Bagong Buhay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Pinugay, Baras
and Tanay in Rizal; Alangalang, Leyte; Agusan del Sur; Bukidnon; Lanao del Norte; and Tampakan,
South Cotabato, among others.

Photos depicting various activities of the Church of Christ in South Africa such as chapel and housing
construction, International Aid to Humanity and Grand Baptism, among others.

In Africa, the eco-farms are situated in a 508-hectare land area in Ladybrand and 2,800-hectare
farmland in Petrusburg both in Free State South Africa; and a cashew plantation in Malawi, Africa.
Workers in these farms are the local residents of the area. INC is also constructing residential houses
for them.

The late Brother Glicerio Santos Jr. (third from left) talks to Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith (with hat) prior to the ribbon cutting that signals the opening of the Mushroom Farm, an INC Ecofarm in Wyoming, USA.
In the United States of America, a mushroom farm in Shoshoni, Wyoming and a county in Scenic,
South Dakota have been purchased for the purpose.

The very purpose of having eco-farming communities is to create livelihood for the residents and
safeguard the food supply in the areas.

According to Mantsopa Mayor Mamsie Tseone, "A lot of opportunities have been brought in to our
town by the Church of Christ. Presently, our people are happier and contented in life because of the
eco-farming, resettlement and livelihood programs being implemented by the Church, thereby
enhancing the agricultural and community development in our place."

In the US, Shoshoni Mayor Joel Highsmith said, "We are a small community, but we have a high
number of unemployed people, this will provide good jobs for them to help their families." He added,
"I know there are many projects worldwide, but the need is also here in the United States."

Through these programs, INC has shown its caring arms for the well-being of both Church members
and nonmembers, specifically to overcome poverty.

The Church

The Iglesia Ni Cristo began on July 27, 1914 with its first congregation in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila,
Philippines. One hundred and seven years later, the global Church Of Christ now has more than
7,000 congregations in 159 countries in six continents across the globe and comprised of 148 races
and nationalities.

The growth and expansion of INC had been unprecedented that even a nonmember, a Protestant
theologian, took notice of (Pasugo: God's Message, 2020).

"We have considered the Iglesia Ni Cristo as an outstanding example of the worldwide independent
church phenomenon... On the worldwide scene, its significance is great, primarily because of its size
and wealth. The INC is the largest, non-mission related, independent church in Asia," said Arthur
Leonard Tuggy. (Iglesia Ni Cristo: A Study in Independent Church Dynamics)

Dr. Antonio G. Papa is the second Head Deacon at the Locale of Indang, Ecclesiastical District of
Cavite South. He is a retired university professor at the College of Economics, Management and
Development Studies, Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite. In 2018, he served as a scientist 1
and consultant at Marinduque State College in Boac, Marinduque. He is a graduate of both Master
of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Extension Education at the University of the
Philippines Los Baños in Laguna in 1986 and 1991, respectively.
[Link]