OCTOBER 7, 2018 (HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA) – As the crisp air of Autumn settles in across Canada, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), an international religious organization that holds its Central Office in the Philippines, opened the doors of its newly renovated worship building at 14 Strath Lane, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in a special worship service on October 7.
International Religious Organization Renovates House of Worship in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Among the hundreds in attendance at the chapel dedication was Ivan Mackenzie, a member of the Church Of Christ for three years, who travelled hundreds of kilometres from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island: “I’m 86 years old, and my whole life I’ve been looking for a church that’s truly dedicated to the Bible, the true Church. And I found that in the Church Of Christ. This is my first time attending a chapel dedication, and I’m so proud. I hope to see one soon in my home province, in Prince Edward Island.”
Neighbours including Cheryl Gillespie have been impressed by the hard work and kindness of the Church members: “The people who have been coming, getting the Church ready, they’ve been so friendly and so nice. They worked 6-7 days a week, 12-14 hours a day, and they just worked so hard, and they were so concerned they didn’t want to disturb us during the construction. So they were very, very considerate of us.” Out of concern for the workers, Gillespie would even drop by with food: “When you have a little extra, and something that’s easy to give, you share.”
Deborah Beck also lives in the same community of the house of worship on Strath lane, and she noted the Church’s positive impact on the community: “Everybody has been very congenial and kind. Glad to have them for neighbours. I’m very pleased that a Church has moved in here, and that you’re believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“The Church Of Christ in Canada is bursting at the seams,” says Rod Bruno, District Minister of the INC congregations from Ontario, eastward to Prince Edward Island. “It’s growing by leaps and bounds, not only by people migrating here, but by people joining the Church, and being baptized. And one of the great purposes of the Church is to grow. For people to hear the teachings of God and believe them. The Church Of Christ, we believe, is a very big blessing to the community. If there are calamities, the Church Of Christ is there to help. Just like we did yesterday in Ottawa, providing help to the recent Tornado victims. For the Halifax community, having the house of worship here gives the people a chance to hear the word of God. That’s our greatest benefit to the community, a chance for the people to hear the pure teachings of God in their neighbourhood.”
The property at Strath Lane is the first worship building of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in the Maritimes. Formerly owned by Grace Apostolic Church, the INC acquired the property for the Halifax congregation in 2016. With a total seating capacity of 130, the approximately 2500-square foot building is located in a residential community. Renovations on the worship building began in 2017, and final touches on details such as landscaping were completed prior to the chapel dedication.
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About the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ is a global Christian Church that upholds Bible-based Christian teachings. It maintains congregations and missions in 143 countries and territories and its membership consists of 133 ethnic groups and nationalities.
The INC continues to fulfill its pledge of sharing the gospel and extending help, to the best of its ability, to strengthen the bond between the congregations of the Church Of Christ and the communities in which they serve – through aid and services, promoting education, socio-economic well-being, environmental awareness and health improvement. This is done with the help of local governments and community establishments, through the Aid For Humanity Program of the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation and also the worldwide volunteer force of the INC Giving Project enacted through the Christian Family Organizationsof the Church Of Christ.
Photos Courtesy of Iglesia Ni Cristo Public Information Office
