Church of Christ at Marikina 1961-2011

It was by God’s abundant grace that the first worship service of the Marikina Church of Christ was held in the residence of Bro. Josue and Sis. Rosalina Dealo in Calumpang, Marikina in the year 1961. Marikina, during those times, was just a quite municipality belonging to the province of Rizal. The Daelo couple then invited several students from the Manila Bible Seminary to help with the establishment of the worship service in their home. Bro. Roman Pel and Sis. Remedios Bautista responded to this calling and began to serve in the regular Sunday worship. Soon after, several preachers were invited by the church to take part in the evangelistic activities of the church. These include Bro. Erasto Sulit, Bro. Panfilo Pel and Bro. Constancio Oliveria. Bro Efemaco Pasco was also one of those who helped in serving the Marikina brethren.

The 1960’s brought a prosperous change to the country as well as the church itself. The families of Bro. Eduardo Pel and Bro. Melencio Ambat soon joined the brethren in preaching and praising the Lord in His Church. Soon enough, the members grew in numbers and in wisdom to establish different functions in the church. Several other students from the Manila Bible Seminary took part in the church’s worship and evangelical services paving way for more souls to be baptized and for a bigger and more dynamic church to arise. This led this strong willed group of believers to seek God’s help and guidance so that they can establish their own church building that can accommodate their growing members. Through God’s infinite goodness, and the tireless efforts of the brethren, they were soon looking at a lot in Oval St., Paliparan Subdivision in Marikina as their own in which they were to build their church building.

It was in the 1980’s when church building was started. Armed with a small amount of money (and an un-ending faith in the Lord), the brethren started putting the foundation of what is to become our church building today. Each piece of stone, block of wood, and pile of cement was painstakingly placed into its proper order by the brethren, who toiled for several months just to see their church building stand. The building’s unfinished state wasn’t reason enough not to hold the very first evangelical crusade in the area.

The temporary roofing and makeshift pulpit made out of hollow blocks was more than enough to gather the brethren and their guest to this momentous event. It was then that the Alon family, led by Bro. Rey Alon, began to attend the church as regular members. Completion of the church building, through Br. Rey’s suggestion, was done by different momentary pledges from the brethren in the church. Soon enough, a pastoral house was built for the church workers. Bro Jimmy Anden, Sis. Irene Atienza and Sis. Lea Santos, was invited from the Manila Bible Seminary to be the first church workers in the newly built church building. The first church elders in the newly built church included Bro. Eduardo Pel, Bro. Melencio Ambat, Bro. Rey alon and Bro. Manny Alon.

The Marikina Church of Christ continuously grey in numbers and faith as several groups and activities in the church was formed. The church women’s group became solid and the youth group started various fundraising activities to aid in the church’s growing needs. In 1986, Bro. Noel Daelo and his family moved to the church as Bro. Noel became the new pastor. Bro. Noel was instrumental in both the spiritual and physical growth of the church as he was adept both in the pulpit and in carpentry. Bro. Noel Deocareza then replaced Bro. Noel Daelo as the latter was called to another place of ministry. By this time, the Marikina Church of Christ was exponentially increasing in number and in God’s rich blessings. The church began to recruit evangelist, youth ministers and other church workers to address this demand.

The 1990’s was also a busy decade for the church. Church expansion was begun. The church was able to acquire its own vehicle and many church planting activities were spearheaded. The Marikina Church was able to pioneer church work in Montalban (Rodriquez), Rizal which later on was in established as the Montalban Church of Christ, Bro. Val tanuan beacame the next senior pastor of the church followed by Bro. Val Medina. Bro Val Tanguan again took the helm as senior pastor after Bro. Val Medina, and was later on followed by. Bro. Randy Limutin. (Other brethren called to his service in Marikina Church of Christ throughout the years include: Bro. Roniel Maguad, Bro. Ding Marco, Bro. Glen Penaflor, Bro. Ramil Ayuno, Bro. Roger Palentinos, Bro. Armand Bbureros, Bro. Hidizel Jurado, Bro. Woody Tenizo, Bro. Jeff Oretam Bro. Eric Farcon, Bro. Genesis Sumaway, Bro. Aldrin Lapitan, Bro. Cyrus Sta. Ana and Bro. Oliver Daelo, among many others whom thought we may have failed to mention. but whose efforts will always be remembered.)

Church expansion was at its full swing and the church building was expanded up to the adjacent lot. As the new millennium came, the completion of the expanded church building was brought about by the continuous effort and unwavering faith of the Marikina Church of Christ brethren. Several members were added and non-believers became Christians. Physical, material and spiritual improvements kept on going. Praise and worship activities were highlighted and evangelism was enhanced. The church continue to flourish and be blessed.

As the church celebrates its 50th year, one cannot help but realized how we have richly been blessed by our Heavenly Father. What started as a humble yearning to praise and worship our God is still is what it is today. Yes, we have come a long way. People have come and gone, lives have been enriched, challenges have been conquered, and trials have been met in our church. But the important things do and shall remain. And i believe that our unrelenting faith, enduring hope and great love for our God and our brethren will bring our church to its next 50 years or so, or until we come home to our Heavenly Father.

To God be the Glory!