Silverdale GWS elevated to local congregation status

For such a momentous occasion, the Church members in this newly-established congregation gathered at Wainui Hall along Waitoki Road, Wainui, New Zealand. Brethren from neighboring local congregations, including Auckland, Hamilton, Manukau, Massey, North Shore, Papakura, and Tauranga, also attended the event.

Succeeding worship services will resume at the Hibiscus Coast Community House in Hibiscus Coast Highway, Orewa, Auckland, which serves as the congregation’s place of worship.

Brother Dennis Dahunan, district supervising minister, led the sacred gathering. In his Bible-based homily, he exhorted the brethren to be steadfast in holding on to their divine election whatever they encounter in this world and to trust the Lord God through prayers.

“Our GWS becoming a local congregation is a great blessing for us,” Timoteo Vivas Jr., head deacon, expressed. “We firmly believe that God abides in us, He does not forsake us, and He is helping us to become active in all our Church endeavors. We thank Him, and the Church Administration, being led by Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, in keeping us strong in the faith.”

The inaugural worship service in Silverdale was preceded with that of the Local Congregation of Invercargill South, on October 14. Indeed, with God’s help and mercy, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) continues to grow in New Zealand. — With reports from Eveline Vivas of INC News Section