History

6 Fajardo St., Jaro Iloilo City, Philippines 5000

Full Gospel Center Church
1965-2005

Everything here on earth has its own beginning. All of the beauties of the flowers, the tall, sturdy trees we see around which storms could not easily uproot starts in a single seed. And what you see now in our church started in a humble gathering of 40 people way back January 6, 1965. And now the history of our church begins...

On that memorable Sunday, 40 men and women gathered together at Calampitao Beach, Guimbal Iloilo and had their first fellowship gathering with Rev. Angela Aragona as Pastor, Missionaries Gunder and Doris Olsen graced the occasion on that day.

Affiliation of the new church with the Assemblies of God was formally approved by the District Presbytery on May 15, 1966. The Full Gospel Assemblies of God Church had its formal opening at the Florete Building, Mapa St., Iloilo City with Rev. Nilo Lapasaran as the new pastor. Early 1969, leaders of the church opened the doors of their residence at Del Carmen Street to accommodate the fast increasing body of believers, rent free. It was there where the new name of the church was adopted, Full Gospel Center Church.

Year 1971, Rev. Erwin dela Cruz took over the pastorship of the flock. After almost a year, Rev. Apolinario Cubing took over the helm in May 1972. Sunday School was reorganized; seminars and trainings took place to equip the teachers and the staff in handling the Word of God. It boosted Sunday School attendance thereafter. At the height of God’s blessings, the young people took a more active part in church activities, camps, retreats. December presentations were conducted. The church hall could not accommodate the guests and ministers during these affairs. It’s too small for a large crowd.

The need for a new church building was done since felt and thus a prayer chain was organized. Every Friday evening after the youth fellowship, the young people would stay and pray through the night for various needs of the church. There was a time when almost all the church members joined together petitioning God for this prayer requests.

God never did fail those who honor Him because on Sept. 2, 1978, a new day has dawned. This day marked the first Sunday worship service held at the new site in Fajardo St., Jaro Iloilo City where a year after the promised Full Gospel Center Church was erected. God is always true to His word.

In March 1989, Pastor Nilgardo Fernandez took over the pastorship of the flock. Year 1990 was the turning point in FGCC’s time. Warren Aragona and Benjie Huelar ventured to pioneer a church in Calinog. Succeeding years, many more responded to the call in the harvest field. Sara, Cabatuan, Maasin, Bacolod, Passi and Lambunao were the products of Summer of Service.

Missions became the main focus of Full Gospel Center Church. Many young people were sent to the mission’s field during the Summer of Service. FGCC became a financial and spiritual supporter of these growing churches. Dumangas, Barotac Viejo, San Miguel and Jordan, Guimaras, Sibunag and Buenavista churches were started as products of this church planting endeavors. At present, we have 24 outreaches of which 5 are now indigenous. Praise the Name of the Lord.

We, the Body of Christ will continually declare His glory until He comes! Doors of opportunity for the preaching of the gospel are wide open in Cambodia and other parts of Asia. In February 1994, we sent our first missionary to Cambodia, Pastor Warren Aragona and followed by Bro. Jose Estrebilla six months after, as a missionary nurse, they are both ministering in Takeo Cambodia.

June 1995, Sis Grace de los Reyes responded to the call of God and went to Kompong Speu Cambodia as a missionary nurse. Sis Michelle Hojilla followed a year after to oversee and train national workers for Cambodia’s harvest field. The success of the work in Foreign mission is because of God’s mighty outpouring of His Spirit and because of men and women at FGCC who continually hold on the tight rope of prayer and financial support.

Looking back we need to be grateful to the Lord for his never ending faithfulness. He honors those who honor Him. Presently, FGCC full time pastors are handling cell districts in Jaro, Lapaz , Pavia and City Proper of which they also act as shepherds of the flock

In succeeding years, the church also ventured into hotel ministries. With the vision to win the city for the Lord, we see indeed that the field is ripe for harvest. We resumed our one year bible school training responding to the mandate of the Lord to send more workers into the harvest fields.

In all these things we see God’s favor on the work of our hands. We will continually seek His glory and make His glory known to others as we serve with a humble heart, allowing the Lord to work in each of our lives in a greater glory we far more think or imagine. A greater work is yet ahead of us, we will continue to be vigilant in prayer not allowing the enemy to deceive us with his schemes and let the cause of Christ prevail now and until he comes.

At present, Ptr. Jose Estrebilla with wife Rowena and their two children Rachel Rose and Samuel are overseeing Full Gospel Center Church with leaders in partnership with them.

God is faithful. And we just look up and say …To God be the Glory the Honor and Praise…