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As membership in the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) keeps increasing in Australia, the Church Administration recently approved the establishment of a new local congregation and a group worship service (GWS) under the supervision of the Ecclesiastical District of Australia West.
Dalwallinu, WA
The Dalwallinu GWS held its inaugural worship service led by Brother Nolly Esperanza, assistant district supervising minister, on July 6, 2024 at Dalwallinu Recreation and Sporting Complex, Colin Anderson Drive, Dalwallinu, Western Australia. Succeeding worship services will be held at the Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre, 58 Johnston Street, Dalwallinu.
Pioneering members of the new GWS were joined by those in the Local Congregation of Ellenbrook, the mother congregation.
During the study of God’s words, Brother Esperanza reemphasized to the brethren that the fulfilment of the biblical prophecies about the Church should also be evident in the life of every member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ).
To be able to attend worship services with the Ellenbrook Congregation, brethren in Dalwallinu would have to travel 250 kilometers to reach the house of worship. “We had to wake up early in the morning for us not to be late in performing our duties in the worship service given that we still have to travel a long distance. But now, the place of worship was brought closer to us,” shared Ralp Boncalon, a deacon.
“This establishment of our new GWS will then be instrumental in encouraging more people to enter the true Church Of Christ,” said Raziella Jane Boncalon, a choir member. “This is a proof that God continues to fulfill His promise that before the world ends, His gospel would be preached throughout the world, thus giving more people the opportunity to hear and understand the pristine words of God,” added Brother Esperanza.
Shepparton, Victoria
Almost two weeks prior, the district inaugurated a new local congregation at Shepparton, Victoria on June 23, 2024. Brother Manuel Villapañe Jr., district edification overseer, led its special worship service that was held at the Tongala Public Hall, Tongala, Victoria, Australia.
Formerly a part of Brimbank Congregation, the Local Congregation of Shepparton started as a GWS in 2013. Back then, its members would have to travel a 183-kilometer distance to reach the house of worship.
“It feels great that God made it happen for us to have a worship venue nearer us, and now we’ve already become a bona fide local congregation,” said Rhomar Scott, who took oath during the occasion as the head deacon, along with 12 other pioneering officers who were sworn in various duties in the Church.
“Shepparton Congregation’s elevation to a full-fledged local congregation is for the brethren to be better supervised in their services to God. They are very grateful to God, as well as to the Church Administration, as this development will all the more help them safeguard their divine calling inside the Church,” said Brother Villapañe on behalf of the brethren.
Succeeding regular worship services of the Shepparton Congregation will be held at Kyvalley Hall, 534 Scobie Road, Kyvalley, Victoria, Australia. — With reports from Jennelin Guanzon of INC News Section
