On April 11, 2026, the Local Congregation of St. Louis, Missouri in the Ecclesiastical District of Northern Plains inaugurated the Springfield, Illinois Group Worship Service (GWS). Led by Brother Elmer J. Parungao, district supervising minister, the sacred occasion was held at State House Inn at 101 E. Adams St., Springfield, Illinois.

During the inaugural worship service, Brother Raynante Romualdo, district secretary, led the opening prayer. Brother Parungao then delivered a Bible-based lesson about how parents should properly discipline their children, that is, according to God’s words taught by the Messenger and are continuously upheld by the present Church Administration. Afterwards, Brother Joseph Penwell, district edification overseer, led the closing prayer.

After the study of God’s words, Brother Junie Alarin, the district Church officers overseer, led the oath-taking of the pioneering set of officers, followed by a prayer led by Brother Eduardo Bondoc III, assistant district secretary.

 “The brethren in this area had been yearning for this place of worship,” said Brother Parungao. “Before, they had to travel more than a hundred miles, but now they could save much more time and effort and be all the more dedicated in their worship of God,” he added.

“We are very happy and thankful that our prayer has been answered by our Lord God,” enthused GWS group overseer Lyndon Marquez. In a separate interview, James Elliston Moore Jr. promised, saying, “We’ll keep inviting people to the Church, do good before God by following His teachings in the Bible.”

The Springfield, Illinois GWS is the 11th GWS of the Ecclesiastical District of Northern Plains. Succeeding worship services will be held at 2909 South Glenwood Avenue. — With assistance from Seth Domine