At present, the facilities of the AOG Church have improved through the love gift sent by Calvary Church in February 2007. Many were filled with joy to see the Greatness of God through the improvements done in the Church. Thanks be to God for the repairs and improvements.
The Vision of the AOG Church in San Antonio
Now, with the help of her family, Pastor Femia plans to make the Church a Center of Learning for Church Workers and Bible Study leaders and to expand the Learning Center for Kindergartens to Grade Scholars. It seems impossible but they believe in God’s provisions, He has a way for everything if it is according to His will. Each member of her family can help in this endeavor.
Church Needs and Prayers
Acquisition of the Vacant Lot just in front of the church, that the church buildings
and Sunday School will be clearly seen by passers-
Acquisition of a church vehicle to be used in going to outreaches and fellowships
outside the church and for transporting children and their families in coming to
the church on Sundays and in other church activities. Actually, there are lots of
children and families in our Simminublan outreach, more or less 25-
Refurbishment of the church roof and ceilings which have been damaged over time by many storms and bouts of heavy rainfall. Now, during heavy rains water flows inside the church, causing damage to the wooden chairs and also to the electrical wiring. Repair costs are estimated to be high, and they are praying that through God’s provision they will have the necessary materials to carry out the repairs as soon as possible.
Pastor Femia and Her Family’s Ministries
Fevi Grace, the eldest, is a graduate of BA In Social Sciences major in Area Studies
(Asia) in University of the Philippines, Manila. Presently, she manages the AOG Learning
Center for Nursery (3-
Christine Rose is a graduate of Computer Technician and is now in her last year in Computer Engineering Course at the University of Baguio. She is also in the Music Ministry. She plays the drums, guitars, bass guitar and keyboard. Indeed, God blessed her with much talents for His glory.
Elaine Mae, a Nursing graduate, will be taking her Board Exam this November. She, is a Worship Leader like Fevi and can play different instruments. She also leads the Young People Department of the Church.
Vincent Paul, the youngest and the only gentleman among the four is a BA English Graduate. He is now teaching English in High School and helps in ministering the youth.
And of course, Bro. Vic, also a Bible School graduate, supports Pastor Femia in the ministry. Likewise he leads the Men’s Department and Visitation & Welfare Ministry. He supervises the Bible Studies and other Cell groups.
Aside from her family, there are committed workers who are very much willing to be of help in every church endeavor. Not all could give financial support but they could minister in some other ways. And those who could afford to assist financially, share willingly in every church project. With the help of our Lord, to Whom nothing is impossible!
The Church truly has dynamic worship services, fellowships and prayer meetings. The Holy Spirit is moving in every member’s heart. Praise God for everyone’s spiritual maturity and deeper faith in God.
Let us all move forward toward Him. While we are still in the world, let us do good deeds for this is God’s purpose for His Children.
In 1991 Mt. Pinatubo erupted, which totally destroyed the new church building. For their safety many members left the area but those who remained worked together with Pastor Eduard and Sister Vivian to help keep the ministry alive. The couple, by that time had three children.
Also thanks be to God for the brothers and sisters here and abroad, particularly those of Calvary Church, Brownhills UK who untiringly helped the Church ministry from its early days up to the present. Thanks to the generous people who keep on supporting the Church in its outreach to the lost and needy people of San Antonio.
Through God’s goodness and mercy and with the joint effort of the people of God, a new and a bigger church building was soon built, destroyed furniture repaired and new equipment acquired.
Because of the Pinatubo eruption, it seemed that the AOG Church at San Antonio had to start all over again, working as in the pioneering stages. Bible Studies and Prayer Meetings were reopened and conducted for the people who remained in the area, and praise God people responded and new members were added.
In the year 2000, after 21 years of serving God in San Antonio, Pastor Eduard and family migrated to San Diego, California, to join Sister Vivian’s family there.
Pastor Eufemia A. Ferrer (Pastor Eduard’s sister) went in with her family to continue the work in the AOG church, San Antonio. She is a Bible School graduate and also a teacher, having a degree in Bachelor of Secondary Education, English Major/Master of Education, and Educational Management.
- Because of her educational inclination Pastor Ferrer’s first project was to departmentalize the Sunday School for adults, youth, and children. She believed that through the Sunday Schools, many would be saved and grow in their faith.
- Bible Studies and Care Cells were also opened in other places in San Antonio, led
by the Church Workers. Through the support coming in, the church even hosted an On-
Site Bible School for the Church workers to grow and to raise pastors who were to hold the outreaches, Bible Studies and Discipleship courses. The Care Cells were held in the houses of committed members.
- In 2004, the dilapidated Sunday School building was repaired and through Pastor Ferrer’s initiative, a Learning Center for infants was opened. She believed that through this endeavor, more families would be saved by hearing the Word of God during their attendance to the Parents Conferences and Learning Center Church Days.
- The Assembly of God Learning Center is now managed by Fevi Grace, Pastor Eufemia’s eldest daughter. Families have been saved through this ministry. One of them is now hosting a Bible Study in their home.
- The Church also has a “Read to Grow Project” which helps greatly in reaching out to children in the community. Educational and Christian books for the children were already acquired, for the use of the attendees of the Sunday Schools, Bible Studies and participants of the Vacation Bible School.
Looking back over the years of the existence and survival of the AOG church at San Antonio, the Greatness of God has been really and surely realized! The Church is grateful to Calvary Church in Brownhills UK, Walsall Christian Center and the generous individuals and families from the UK who continue to share their blessings in San Antonio. By God’s grace, these keep the church and His ministries going. “Yes, we are not really rich materially but because of our love to the Lord, we cheerfully reach out for God’s glory”, quoted from Sister Pauline.
San Antonio, Philippines
The Assembly Of God Church, San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines started in 1979 through the pioneering efforts of the then newly wed couple, Pastor Eduard and Sister Vivian Advincula, together with an English couple Ian and Pauline, who at that time were missionaries sent to San Antonio from Calvary Church, Brownhills, UK.
From nothing, they scouted for a place and shared the Word of God by God’s grace and guidance. Praise and Worship started in a small rented room, until such time that they had to rent a separate and bigger place for holding services because the number of members grew as the days went by. Glory to God!
Crusades were held and Pastor Sid Ceney from Calvary Church was the quest speaker. Two to three families gave their hearts to the Lord at that time. From this the AOG Church in San Antonio was born. Since Ian and Pauline, and Pastor Sid returned to England they have continued to raise funds for the AOG Church in San Antonio.
In 1982, a lot for the Church building was acquired through the help of Sister Pauline and her family and some generous people from her place. Praise God because in just a few months, the church building was erected. Church services then became more comfortable for the members, and Bible Studies grew as new members were added.
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