Church officers and members in the New Zealand North Ecclesiastical District convened for a special gathering on September 7, 2024.

The said occasion was held at the PIA Event Centre at 55 Ward Street, Pukekohe 2120, New Zealand, which was attended by brethren and officers from nearby local congregations, such as Hastings, Hutt Valley, and Wellington. Meanwhile, brethren from farther local congregations took part in the said gathering via videoconferencing.

Brother Dennis Dahunan, district supervising minister, officiated at the holy gathering. In his homily, he pointed out the characteristics which officers in the Church must possess for them to be of help to the Church Administration in tending to the various spiritual needs of their fellow brethren. He further reminded the officers not to forsake their duties despite the hardships they face. The gathering also served as an opportune time to encourage more brethren to also accept duties in the Church.

“It’s strengthening,” expressed Cherry Lyn Santayo, deaconess from Massey Congregation. Meanwhile, Aziel Soriano, choir member from Wellington Congregation, shared that she was grateful having been reminded to “trust God, and do good … especially in [trying] times that you [seem to] not know what to do.”

According to Brother Arturo Martin, resident minister of Manukau South Congregation, “the aim of the Church Administration in bringing the brethren together is to thank our Lord God for the blessings He has granted … and to make a solemn promise that we will continue to serve Him whatever happens … because we want to please our Lord God.”

Due to the continuous expansion of the Church in New Zealand, the Church Administration has recently approved that the Ecclesiastical District of New Zealand be reorganized into two districts, giving rise to the establishment of New Zealand South. Congregations that remain under the jurisdiction of the then New Zealand District are those that are north of the island country, hence, the renaming of the district to “New Zealand North.”  — With reports from Francisca Beatrice Espiritu of INC News Section