Due to the increasing membership of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) in the Local Congregation of Tumangan, Ecclesiastical District of Zambales North, Philippines, the Church Administration approved the establishment of a Group Worship Service (GWS) composed of congregation members residing in Barangay San Juan.

The inaugural worship service of the San Juan GWS, which remain under the Tumangan Congregation’s supervision, was held on June 10, 2026. It was presided over by Brother Mateo Escobido, district supervising minister.

During the study of God’s words, Brother Escobido reminded the brethren that when they face great stress and hardships that are difficult to bear, they should not be troubled or confused but instead place their complete trust in God and in Christ. He encouraged them to seek refuge in the Lord by, among others, praying and worshiping Them in the house of worship to find rest and strength amid life’s trials and setbacks.

“There were challenges in the days leading up to the inaugural worship service of the San Juan GWS, but we never lost hope,” said Bernardo Candule Jr., head deacon of the Tumangan Congregation. “Now that the brethren here have a place of worship closer to their homes, they can serve God more actively and further prove their loyalty to Him.”

“When the brethren learned that a new place of worship would be established near their homes, they were filled with joy and gratitude,” shared Brother Rene Durian, assistant district supervising minister. On behalf of the brethren, he added, “We thank the Church Administration for its concern for our spiritual welfare.”

The San Juan GWS is located in Barangay San Juan, Botolan, Zambales, some five kilometers from the Tumangan Congregation’s house of worship and 39 kilometers southeast of the district office within the Masinloc Congregation chapel compound. — With reports from Melma Doloritos and John Manuel Garcia