Got home at around 4pm, ate a bit and proceeded to my son’s bedroom because our room was too hot due to the ridiculous summer weather we’re having. I’m tired but happy. Slept for about two hours, ate dinner, took a well-deserved bath, turned my Macbook on and started typing this message. I had to. I want to.
Today was no ordinary day. It was ONE SUNDAY: the first anniversary of the Sunday Worship Service at The Rock Campus; the church I have been pastoring for two years. Leading to this today, I could not help but reflect on the journey how we got here. Truly, it was a step of faith.
This was around March 2010; the same time I was officially released as an Associate Pastor of Word for the World Christian Fellowship in Valero, Makati and was transferred under WWCF’s Outreach Deparment. I remember gathering with a few of my friends whom I worked with in a previous ministry. With only two months to go, we were about to embark on something none of us went to school for. We were about to start a Sunday service.
Now, this was not just a small ministry we’re talking about here. This was a big responsibility. We knew what we were getting into. Once we start a weekly Sunday service, it was a proclamation that the The Rock Campus will become a full-pledge church. There was no turning back. Though the future was uncertain, we were determined to realize the vision God put in our hearts. Yes, we lacked a lot of things. But God provided. If its His WILL, it’s His BILL.
May 23, 1010. Sunday. We rented a place that can comfortably fit around 100 to 120 people. If we can fill even half this place, its good for us. We set-up our equipment. Some bought. Some borrowed. Lent by a pastor-friend from another outreach, the band was doing sound check. The staff prepared everything they could prepare. This was it.
Three hours passed. The Rock Campus had successful launched its first Sunday service. The place was so packed that some people had to remain standing during the service. It provided the momentum we needed to begin this church.
Permit me to be honest. When we started the Sunday service, we did it all in faith. Unlike other church-planting initiatives, we didn’t have a lot of money. It was just enough to keep us going for another Sunday. We didn’t even know if we would be having a service two weeks from now or even reach 6 months. We had limited manpower and we didn’t have the expertise most seasoned church-planters have. We just decided to follow God’s vision and trust Him that He will make it work.
And did He deliver.
Since we started the Sunday service, The Rock Campus is self-funded. From the tithes and love offerings given by the faithful attendees of the church, we use it to pay for different expenses such as rentals, purchases and pastoral support. And from these funds, we give tithes to the mother church. We were able to have a steady attendance and have water baptized some of them. We were able to raise new leaders and bring more people to Christ. We’ve witness lives turned around and changed. We’ve seen people start a new beginning. The list goes on and on. God is at work at The Rock Campus.
A year passed, we’re still here. And God has been faithful all this time.
We share these to you not to boast our abilities and talents but boast that God is faithful. We would not have done all these without Him. And we will never take the glory away from Him.
Like Don Moen’s Song goes, “Thank You LORD! I just want to thank You LORD!”
At this time, please give me the opportunity to express my gratitude.
To all those who supported us through prayers, finances and encouragement, thank you very much. You have truly touched countless lives through your support.
To all the volunteers of The Rock Campus, thank you for giving your time and energy unselfishly. You are not merely workers but partners in shaping this church for the better.
To the people who walk through the doors of RC, we hope you continue to feel the warmth and sense of family in the church. The doors of this church is open to EVERYONE. Thank you for letting us nurture you in your walk with God.
To our mother church, Word for the World Christian Fellowship, God has used you as the training ground to prepare us to lead The Rock Campus. Thank you so much.
To the unnamed faces who continue to believe and pray for what this church does, thank you so much.
To The Rock Campus Core of Leaders, thank you for trust and confidence in me as your pastor. I’ve always said this: It is not often one is given the opportunity to start a church with your friends. I value your friendship and your love.
And I just say this to all who attend RC: your Core of Leaders are passionately working and praying hard to make sure the church continues to do God’s work. We work as a team with one heart and passion. I am in very good company. Continue to pray for us.
On a personal note, I want to thank my daddy,Jun, my mommy, Lulu, and brother, Rainier. You mean so much to me. Thank you for your invaluable love and support. I love you all!
To my wife, Aida, and son, Rafa. Both of you make me want to be a better husband and father. Thank you for believing in me. I love you both!
And, finally, to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for everything. Every single thing this church is about is all because of YOU. WE LOVE YOU, LORD!
And so we end one year and prepare for another.
What does God have in store for The Rock Campus in the coming year?
Whatever it is, all I know is that it is going to be AMAZING!
Are you ready to ROCK? MAKE SOME NOISE!
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God is faithful, He is truly amazing, I’m sure He will manifest His power more and more in your church and through your church.
Praying with you.