Australia East District adds two new GWS
By LORRIE KATE SALOMON and RONNIE H. MUTYA
Date Posted: April 21, 2023
The Church recently opened additional group worship services under the Ecclesiastical District of Australia East, one each in Armidale, New South Wales and in Tanna Island, Vanuatu.
The two new GWS conducted their inaugural worship services simultaneously on April 1, 2023 with the latter linked to the former through livestreaming.
Brother Seth Gutierrez, district supervising minister of the Australia East Ecclesiastical District, officiated at the momentous occasion in a hall at Drummond Memorial Public School in Armidale, NSW, Australia.
“The Church Administration continues establishing GWS in every part of the world so that the brethren are spiritually taken care of by constantly receiving God’s teachings particularly during their worship services,” explained Brother Thruman Amisola, district secretary, who assisted in the officiation of the worship service at the host site.
The brethren from the Armidale, NSW GWS used to attend worship services with the GWS in Tamworth Westdale, NSW, two-hour drive away from their city.
Long-time Armidale resident Ivy Nicolas expressed thankfulness that they now have their own place of worship where they could fulfill their Christian duties near their homes. “With the help of our Lord, who made this all happen, and with the support and love of the brethren, the Church in Armidale now has a group worship service. My heart is filled with joy and gladness,” she said.
Meanwhile, the congregants from the Tanna, Vanuatu GWS, the first ever in the Republic of Vanuatu’s sixth largest island, gathered in a hall in Lenakel Town. These prospective members preparing for their upcoming baptism also expressed gratefulness to God for bringing the true Christian faith in their place, according to the ministerial worker assigned in the island.
“Even though there are no baptized members yet here in Tanna, only doctrinal instructees, but you can witness their eagerness to learn more about the truths written in the Bible,” Brother Jayson Cayabyab attested. “As a proof, the Ni-Vanuatu people are taking down notes and attentive in listening to the words of God.”
Brother Gutierrez, in an interview, conveyed the Church Administration’s noble aim in instituting more worship services in places the Church’s mission has reached. “As what the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, always exhorts us, every member of the Church needs God’s guidance through His words so that they will be edified in their faith and be prepared for the nearing salvation,” he said. — With reports from INC News Section and Lucky Puzon