The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) continues to expand in Western Visayas, Philippines, as indicated by, among others, the formation of new congregations and construction of religious edifices.

For instance, in the Ecclesiastical District of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, a new group worship service (GWS) was established while in the Capiz Ecclesiastical District, a new house of worship was inaugurated.

On January 17, 2024, Brother Roger Espinosa II, assistant supervising minister at Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, officiated at the inaugural worship service of the Villamar GWS. Located at the city’s Barangay Estancia, it is under the supervision of the Taculing Local Congregation. This is the second GWS inaugurated in Bacolod City for this month, the first one being the Hilado GWS.

The said new house of worship in Capiz is that of the Local Congregation of Burias, and was dedicated to God on January 20, 2024. It is situated in Barangay Burias, Municipality of Mambusao, Capiz Province.

Brother Raul Alvarez, district supervising minister, officiated at the said gathering during which the brethren from Burias, together with other faithful, offered praise and thanks to God for such and other blessings.

“Whatever may come to our lives, whatever hardship we face, we will carry on performing the duties entrusted to us, especially now that we have a new place of worship,” said Amy Legarda, a choir member from Burias Congregation.

Meanwhile, Remus Banogon, a deacon, said that the establishment of the  new GWS “is such great help to us here. It will be much easier for us to fulfill our duties here, especially helping in the intensified works of propagation.” – With reports from Jean Pama and Irene De Leon of INC News Section