Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members from the Local Congregation of Alcala, Ecclesiastical District of Rosales, Pangasinan, Philippines, expressed their thankfulness to the Almighty God for their congregation’s new house of worship, which was dedicated through a special worship service on March 1, 2024.

“We are thankful to the Almighty God for it is out of His love through the Church Administration, that we have been blessed with a beautiful and majestic house of worship,” said Jerell Ventura, choir leader.

The 315-seater concrete edifice is situated in Brgy. San Pedro Ili, Alcala, Pangasinan. During the dedication worship service, it was filled to its capacity, with many more accommodated in overflow tents. Brother Rowell de Lara, district supervising minister, delivered a Bible-based lesson on the importance of building houses of worship: it is in such holy place wherein God’s people serve Him, and where they seek refuge in times of difficulties. He added that God’s people never neglect the house of worship. Instead, they do everything that they can to prove how much they love and care for it.

“The brethren understand how important it is that they continue to help in building houses of worship. It is here where they can fulfill their primary duty of worshiping God, and serving Him. It is also in this sacred place wherein they can pray to God, and ask for His help and guidance so that they may overcome whatever trials and hardships they experience,” Brother Rico Realizan, resident ministerial worker, said.

The new house of worship stands on a 2,025 sq.m. lot purchased by the Church. According to Israel Calvero, the congregation’s head deacon for more than 40 years, since the congregation’s establishment in the mid-1930s, the brethren held their gatherings in a house of worship in Brgy. Poblacion East, of the same town. — With reports from Blaise Angeli Hidalgo of INC News Section