The Central Administration of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) recently approved the establishment of the Tigbao Group Worship Service (GWS) of the Aroroy Local Congregation in the Ecclesiastical District of Masbate, Philippines.

Its members held the GWS’s inaugural worship service on April 2, 2026, praising and thanking the Lord God for this valuable blessing to their spiritual life. They were joined by fellow members from the mother congregation.

Brother Renato C. Estrada Sr., district supervising minister, officiated at the sacred occasion, preaching a biblical lesson about remaining steadfast in worship amid trials. He exhorted the congregants to faithfully follow God’s words so as to safeguard their hope for the promised salvation and the true happiness in the Holy City.

“Worship service is of utmost importance, especially in these times of severe hardship we face on our journey in this world,” explained Brother Rolando Santos Jr., resident minister. “Now, in this place, our brethren can come before the Lord God to seek His vital and precious help.”

The Tigbao GWS’s place of worship is a 40-minute away ride via motorboat from Aroroy Port. The Aroroy Congregation in turn is about 50 kilometers away from the district office located in Masbate City.  

Prior to having their own place of worship, brethren from the village of Tigbao used to travel “20 to 30 minutes by motorcycle just to reach the nearest place of worship at the Matalangtalang Extension, also supervised by [the Aroroy Congregation],” shared KADIWA member Janno Gutierez.

His sister Arlene Brillante, a Buklod member, enthused, “I’m overjoyed for the place of worship is already near to us.”

Expressing the collective promise of the brethren, Antonino Zaragoza Jr., a head deacon, said, “we will continue our services to God especially in this place where many nonmembers can also be invited to listen to the words of God we uphold in the Church.” — With assistance from Raenier Moral