Menu
Menu
Gippsland Group Worship Service (GWS) and Manor Lakes Extension, upon approval from the Church Administration, both received local congregation status. The inaugural worship services were held on March 16 and 24, 2025, respectively.
Victoria, Australia Ecclesiastical District supervising minister Brother Romeo Beltran officiated on both occasions. He exhorted the attendees, through the Bible, to continue giving importance to and upholding the true worship of God, and fulfilling their Church duties for them to be steadfast in the faith. Pioneering sets of Church officers took oath of their duties at both gatherings.
“Establishing local congregations further strengthen the brethren’s faith, thus enabling them to fulfill their duties, attend worship services, and receive frequent spiritual support from the resident minister and Church officers,” Brother Beltran explained.
Brethren in Gippsland, along with those from the nearby Denison GWS, gathered for the occasion at VRI Hall on Queens Parade, Traralgon, Victoria, where succeeding worship services will also be held. Both were previously overseen by the Dandenong Congregation, which is located more than 120 kilometers from the said venue.
“With the new congregation, the brethren will all the more receive the words of our Lord God. This progress will also be of help in sharing the faith so that more people will learn about the Church Of Christ,” said Brother Danilo Manguit Jr., resident minister of Gippsland Congregation. Brethren in Denison are now under this new congregation’s supervision.
“When we started as a GWS, we used pre-recorded materials in worship services, and then videostreaming became possible,” head deacon Richardson Suniga narrated. “Now as a local congregation, the minister can personally lead Bible studies, evangelical missions for our guests, and inspire greater enthusiasm among the brethren.”
Brethren from the Manor Lakes Congregation conducted their inaugural worship service at the auditorium of Norlane Recreation Centre along Cox Road, Norlane, Victoria. Following worship services will be conducted at Manor Lakes Community Centre along Manor Lakes Blvd., Manor Lakes, Victoria.
“I’m thrilled about the establishment of our congregation, especially since it’s near my home, and was formed after the number of brethren here grew significantly, bringing together many individuals to unite as one local congregation,” expressed choir member Danfred Varcas. “These developments inspire me to perform my duties further.”
Named after the suburb in Melbourne, Victoria where it is located, the Manor Lakes Congregation is formerly an extension of Wyndham Congregation, which is more than 11 kilometers away from the said suburb. District edification overseer Brother Rojel Ferdinand Jaraza has also been appointed to be its current resident minister.
“The establishment of this congregation is a proof to the continuing growth of the Church, especially in this part of the world,” Brother Jaraza said. “Now, the Church officers can better look after the brethren, and all of them can further be of help to the Church Administration as they unite with the many endeavors of the Church.” — With reports from Ellen Joy Galapon-Pedro and Danica Amazona of INC News Section
