A Family Visit To GCF-Pasig

April 22, after our series of mission travels our family finally got the chance to attend a church in Manila. This time it was through the invitation of one of our mission staff, our DFCM Secretary to be precise, Jhen Santos. The invitation was actually a week overdue already as their church inaugurated their newly constructed building in Bambang, Pasig City. The name of their church is Gospel of Christ Fellowship-Pasig (GCF Pasig). If I got it right the fellowship started back in May 1, 2009 as a Bible Study group which was held regularly at the house of Jhen's uncle, Jerry Librea (or Bro. Boy as we call him). The young group was comprised of only 15 people from within the vicinity and was discipled by Pastor Andy Villaluz who is also from the same place. By God's grace and favor the group has grown in size and maturity and has become the herald of Good News and a channel of blessings in this locality, a full grown church. They have conducted ministries not only within the group but also  reached out to the community just like to the students of the elementary school to name a few. 

Today, by God's overflowing goodness a church building was raised and built in a vacant lot right in front of Kapitolyo Homes, just a few steps from our house. Last April 15 in their inauguration worship service we happened to be out working on the tribal mission so we missed attending it. My family regularly attends Victory Christian Fellowship in Fort Bonifacio and our kids, Cid, Erl and Eanda are already happily growing with us in that church, but it was also a pure joy to visit and worship with this church. 

The congregation is fairly small compared to the congregation we belong to, yet one thing you will appreciate about churches like this is the "family" atmosphere, so intimate, so loving. It brings me back to the memory lane of our old community church just across the Pasig River. People here in this kind of church knows each other well and it is almost impossible to miss a smile or shake a hand. And as a pastor I used to handle churches like of this size in the past and I am sure that this is the kind or size I am very comfortable with. It is so easy to connect to people, so easy to reach and touch lives, shepherding is not so complicated -just a happy and caring place. So homey!

If I may say, this church is also blessed to have Jhen who has a big heart for the kids. Back in the old community church she was just one of those little kids me and Ahlie were shepherding (I was the Kid's Pastor and Ahlie was the Kid's Ministry Superintendent then), through the years we saw her grow up in stature with the Lord and has become one of the children ministry teachers. When we were called for missions she joined us and became a missionary teacher to the Mangyan kids in Mindoro too. That Sunday our hearts were filled with joy as we saw her lead the children to the altar for a prayer of dedication, we saw in her the legacy of our passion for little children. We know a church with strong kids and youth ministry is a growing church while a church giving less importance to them is a dying church. As Jesus said:

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3

The message was delivered by no other than Pastor Andy Villaluz. He preaches from the book of Ephesians, in chapter six verse twelve it says: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." His timely message gave emphasis on barking at the wrong tree and I believe everyone got a piece of spiritual learning from it. To this powerful message I say "AMEN".

Right after hearing God's message for us there was an altar call. At that moment Pastor Andy's wife, Sis. Aida, approached me and asked me to assist the pastor. I am so glad to be given an opportunity to minister in their church in spite of being there just for the first time. So I jumped in and do the things needed in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a moment of power -of God's power as everyone who came forward was blessed and moved by the Holy Spirit.

By the end of the service I was also requested to give a Word and do the benediction. I can't help but to remember this old feeling. I've been out in the mission field for so many years and it has been long since I stood in a church like this in my own place. Of course through the years I stood to preach and teach in churches of different sizes in different places, but for a time being ...not in my own place.

That Sunday was an awesome experience with God and His people. We are truly grateful to Him and to GCF-Pasig, to Pastor Andy and Sis. Aida, to Bro. Boy and Ate Malou, Jhen and Anthony, and to the whole congregation for the warm brotherly welcome.

We pray that the Lord will continue His marvelous works in this place, in this flock. May this church stand strong and be the salt and light in our community just the way God wants them to be. And may the Name of the Lord be glorified through them now and until the coming of the day. All praises be unto His Name!

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Philippians 1:6

Gospel of Christ Fellowship Schedule of Activities:

Morning Devotion: Monday to Saturday 7:00am.

Prayer Meeting every Wednesday 7:30pm.

Discipleship Group every Saturday 7:00pm.

Kids' Service every 1st Sunday of the month 3:00pm.

Worship Service every Sunday 9:30am.

June 24

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