Church History

The PRAYER CENTER : Looking Back and Beyond

AT LAST, A 'FORMAL' ORGANIZATION

We look back at the past years of how God has bestowed upon The P.R.A.Y.E.R. Center, Inc. manifold blessings which time and again have proven His faithfulness. It was not an easy road that we went through. Neither do we expect a paved way ahead. But our experiences in the past can assure us that He will lead us still through unexpected obstacles and trials.

We also glance back with fond memories as we learned not just from His workmanship but also from our frailty. Some wrong steps that we have taken were indeed disheartening, but His love that binds us as one kept us walking, even crawling, amidst tempests and storms. The result is an ever united brethren, proven and prepared to meet the challenges ahead as we continue to entrust our goals and aspirations to "Him who will keep us from falling."

Let us, therefore continue to behold Him as we attempt to recall some highlights of our Center's achievements.

THE FIRST FLAILING STEPS

Little did we know that a bond of friendship can actually use by God to further His kingdom. Bros. George Cauntic, Boy Bartolome and myself together with our loving partners: Sis. Ayesa Cauntic, Gina Bartolome and Berlette Leonor first conceived the idea of putting up a small cell church which we believe can further expand God's work to the unreached parts of our village and Lord-willing, even beyond. We were ready to admit, though, that our combined efforts may not be enough. We were still in need of help from brethren with enough maturity and experience. We sought the support of Bro. Boy Lambonao and he was more than elated with the turn of events. But we were further convinced that the hand of God was upon this purpose when we requested for the leadership of Pastor El Aballe and he felt the burden of responding to the 'Macedonian call.'

It can be surmised that our first worship service was indeed significant for it was held on the first Sunday of the first week of the first month of 1999. It is meaningful because it was the first time after several years of attending the same church that we will be going where only a few 'brave men dared to tread.' Bro. Boy Lambonao offered his house's garage area as our temporary worship hall. He even extended up to offering his service as the privileged first worship leader. With less than 20 worshippers present, Bro. George doubled as emcee and keyboard player. Bro. Boy Bartolome is always an able usher. Mommy Ferming Cordero, Ate Rachel Bardiago, Ate Linda Mondoñedo and Sis. Rose Cabrera's appearance were inspiring. The support of our first 'informal deaconesses:' Sis. Gina, Nieves Lambonao, Tita Aballe and Ayesa proved to be very useful. It was fortunate that we have the support of our families that added up the numbers. The first sermon by Pastor El provided us with the much needed boost. The next Sunday saw Sis. Berlette taking up the cudgel of songleading from Bro. Boy L. Perhaps some brethren from other church groups were quite intrigued so that they made their presences felt, first by ones, then twos and threes as they bring their families and friends. Ptr. El brought some families from a village in Kinautdan District. God was adding up more and more every Sundays so that with only a few months after our first worship service, we realized that the place was not enough to accommodate more. That was when PRAYER Center II - Kinautdan District was formally recognized.

Bro. Boy Bart's (Boy Bartolome, as he is fondly called), Once jokingly remarked: "Paano ba iyan, wala nag atrasan 'to. (There's no way we can turn our backs anymore)." We looked at each other and saw how the leadership grew from a group of kumpadress to a solid core team each endowed with different gifts. Bro. Boy L. took the Commission (S.E.C), his wisdom is always evident. We know we need to organize ourselves first. There were no positions yet but a handy group of the ones who always attend the Overnight Prayer Meeting every Wednesday readily volunteered their service to burn their brows for research and study in order to draft the first Constitution and By-Laws to be submitted to the S.E.C.

The next process was more tedious which was the drafting of the By-Laws. The names of the members of the ad-hoc committee are:

COORDINATOR:	Boy Lambonao
RECORDER:	Edward Leonor
MEMBERS:	Ptr. El Aballe, George Cauntic, Boy Bartomome,
	Ferming Cordero, Rachel Bardiago,
	Nieves Lambonao, Tita Aballe, Ayesa Cauntic,
	Gina Bartolome, Emma Closa, Rose Cabrera and
	Berlette Leonor

From the tenets of faith, internal rules, organizational framework, and even up to our mission statement, each issues were hotly debated and approved by a consensus. After a little over two months of weekly and bi-weekly meetings a final draft was signed. During the first election for the first batch of officers for the BOARD OF STEWARDS, the following were given the responsibility:

CHAIRMAN:	George Cauntic
VICE-CHAIRMAN:	Boy Bartolome
MEMBERS:	Sis. Fermina Cordero, Tital Aballe, Rose Cabrera and Rachel Bardiago

BOARD OF ELDERS ( as appointed by the Board of Stewards):
PASTOR AND CHURCH OVERSEER:	El Aballe
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF ELDERS AND DEACONS:	Boy Lambonao

The final copy of The P.R.A.Y.E.R. Center Constitution and By-Laws was approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission on _________________ under SEC Reg. No.__________________.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Being recognized by the duly constituted government is not the end of the road but only marked as the beginning of more challenges to come. Additional members with proven leadership track record appeared on the scene. Ptr. Nath Balbuena was appointed as Asst. Pastor and Youth Ministry In-Charge. Our first Youth Camp saw him at the thick of the action with several young people expressing their commitment to follow Christ. Bro. Bert Salaño and family were touched by God to help in the Practical Ministry. His present burden is to build-up the requirements for our Church projects. Some youths were appointed to join the music ministry as musicians, tambourine dancers and back-up singers.

Important assets were prioritized and purchased such as the musical and sound instruments; chairs, and Cell Group and Sunday School materials. Another challenge is to acquire a church lot and property. The site was already spotted but the financial details are yet to be accomplished. But with the heart of each and every members, or even non-members, of the Center and with the grace of our All-Sufficient God, we firmly believe that nothing would be too difficult for Him.

This account is not enough to narrate all the stage by stage processes if only to appreciate how God has wonderfully worked in our midst. We still have too much to work and learn until we all reach to the full knowledge of Him. But our prayer is that may our past accomplishments serve as a reminder that God who kept us on our toes, and knees, shall all the more guide and strengthen us as we make ourselves available for His kingdom.