The Ibaraki Christian Church (ICC) held the inauguration of its newly renovated church building located at Ushiku-shi, Ibaraki-ken last October 7, 2007. To mark the occasion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held after the church’s morning service. Distinguished guests included Rowena Inoue, president of Lahi association, Helen Alquino, officer of Lahi, ABS-CBN Tokyo Managing Director Jeffrey Remegio, Tokyo Labor Office OIC Saul de Vries, Joselin Kobayashi of KMC Magazine, and Irene Kaneko, publisher of Jeepney Press. The affair was also attended by members of the Jesus For All Alliance Church (JFAC) based in Narita City as well as other members of the Filipino community based in Ibaraki Prefecture and nearby areas.
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| Left to right: Narita pastor Cristopher Barro; ICC resident pastor Lito Alid; ABS-CBN Tokyo Managing Director Jeffrey Remegio; Tokyo Labor Office OIC Saul de Vries; Joselin Kobayashi of KMC Magazine; Irene Kaneko, publisher of Jeepney Press; Rowena Inoue, president of Lahi association; Helen Alquino, officer of Lahi; senior pastor Nemesio Barro; wife Luzviminda Barro. |
“We hope to open this place to the Filipino community in Ibaraki,” said Benigno Tutor, one of the primary movers of ICC and its current Board Chairman. “We don’t have our own strength, we don’t have our own power. But everything comes from God. Tingnan nyo itong gusali. Ang akala namin hindi na puedeng gamitin. Dilapidated masyado. But God uses people….Napakaganda ng kinalabasan ng gusaling ito,” former resident pastor Rev. Nemesio Barro empathically told the congregation during his sermon.
Through the magnanimous assistance of several key persons and donations coming private individuals and church members, the lot and building was acquired late in July of this year. Previously, ICC held its church services at Friends International Mart, a Filipino store owned by Uninetwork, Inc. For several months ICC had also rented the place of the Tsukuba International Christian Assembly (TICA) where it held its afternoon services. The acquisition of this building marks a milestone in the Filipino church’s history. Since its founding in 2000, the church leaders of ICC had constantly prayed for ICC’s own church lot and building.
ICC’s church services are held every Sunday, starting from 10:30 am. Everyone is enjoined to attend, regardless of nationality. Translations during sermons are offered for non-English or non-Tagalog speakers. For more information, visit the ICC website at the following url: http://www.ibarakichristians.org/