INC continues to expand in Cyprus and in Malta
By CLEOFE ARIOLA and MARK ANDRO MILAN
Date Posted: November 21, 2021
With God’s mercy and help, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) continues to expand in the countries of Cyprus and Malta. In the month of October 2021, the Church established the Local Congregation of Nicosia, Cyprus; and the GWS of Paralimni (also in Cyprus) and Bugibba (in Malta), all of which are under the Ecclesiastical District of Mediterranean. These inaugural worship services were led by the district supervising minister, Brother Ramil S. Regino.
“This is the will of God that the worship services will be closer to our brethren, and [in so doing] help our fellowmen know about the Iglesia Ni Cristo so that they, too, will receive the promised salvation,” he said.
Paralimni GWS
On October 17, the inaugural worship service of Paralimni GWS was held at No. 14 Onisilou St., Paralimni, Famagusta, Cyprus. As it is the fourth GWS established in the island-country of Cyprus, pioneering brethren from other GWS attended the gathering and brought along with them guests, some of whom expressed their intention to know more about the Church Of Christ.
Ofelia Lilagan, a Church officer in the new GWS, enthused: “Worship services are important. Therein we gain strength against trials in this life. Whenever we worship, and God allows us to feel His presence, we are strengthened in the faith. I will continue to give my very best as I uphold the worship services. I will be one with every Church activity our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, launches.”
Local Congregation of Nicosia
A week later, on October 24, Brother Regino officiated at the inaugural worship service of the Local Congregation of Nicosia, Cyprus. For the gathering, the Church rented a school amphitheater in Strovolos, Nicosia. Brethren from the neighboring cities of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos traveled and joined the pioneering brethren in the momentous event.
To witness the formal establishment of the first local congregation in the island country of Cyprus, the Church Administration approved that Church members throughout the district be able to join the holy gathering through videoconferencing.
In an interview after the worship service, Brother Pepito Acuesta, assistant district supervising minister, shared that Brother Eduardo Manalo, the Executive Minister, desires all Church members, wherever they are in the world, to “become even more steadfast, and strong in our faith. This way that we will be able to continue in our services to our Almighty Creator.”
Bugibba GWS, Malta
On October 31, Brother Regino was joined by the district staff in the inaugural worship service of the Bugibba GWS. In the said gathering, a pioneering set of Church officers were sworn in to their respective duties.
The event was made more special as the brethren were able to hear the preaching of God’s words by the Executive Minister through video streaming. Kenneth Soriano, one of the newly appointed Church officers, said, “Attending the worship services is a must. God’s words being taught during it guide us to all the more be worthy of receiving salvation.” — With reports from INC News Section
