The Ecclesiastical District of New Zealand South’s newly established Franz Josef Group Worship Service (GWS) held its inaugural worship service at the Franz Josef Community Centre, New Zealand on the afternoon of May 23, 2026. An outreach activity under the Care for Humanity project was held after.

Brother Uziel B. Bongares, district supervising minister, led the sacred occasion.

“The establishment of GWS in our district is a manifestation of God’s continuing guidance and blessings,” he said. Brethren from Franz Josef GWS were originally enlisted in the Local Congregation of Christchurch East.

“We traveled such long distances. There were even times we had to sleep on the road because of accidents along the way, such as when my wife was pregnant. So we are so thankful that we now have a GWS here,” said Vic. “We persistently hold devotional prayers, hoping that one day we’d have a GWS here. Now it has finally happened,” expressed Kryshalyn.

Brethren from the Local Congregations of Christchurch East, Fitzgerald, and Halswell, also attended the event.

The GWS’s place of worship is located at Rata Grove 21-23 Cron Street Franz Josef, 7886, New Zealand, a property volunteered by a couple, Vic Laurence and Kryshalyn Dyan Mamayson, newly sworn-in GWS overseer and finance officer, respectively.

Care for Humanity

On the same day, at the same venue, the Care for Humanity was held by 7 p.m.

“We can truly feel your love and care for us. Thank you so much,” shared recipient Jose Villaruz Jr. “The daily essentials that you gave us are truly what we need, especially during this winter season,” added recipient Joan Manalastas. “This is my first time attending this kind of program by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ). Thank you,” remarked another recipient, Michelle Pascual.

“The humanitarian activity that the Church upholds is not something that we invented; rather, this is a command of the Lord God to love your neighbor as yourself,” shared Brother Rafner De Castro, district Christian Society for the Differently-abled (CSD) adviser.