Mission Report, October 2010
by Ptr. Eric O. Matig-a
As of November 2010, the church has 33 baptized members. The average attendance in Sunday Worship Service is 22 for adults and 15 for children. The church has 17 regular home Bible Studies. In September 2010 three were baptized: Cathlene Tresvales, 12 years old; Jairo Perez, 11 years old; and Levy Perez, Jr., 10 years old. There were also four ladies who made commitment for baptism in December 2010. Lord willing, the church considering other towns of Rizal like Teresa to be its possible mission outreach. They will also open a Bible study in Makati City. Lastly, the church requests for prayer to have their own church lot.
Mission Report, October 2008
In July 2008, Ptr. Eric Matig-a took the leadership as the missionary pastor of Sampaloc Mission. Their Sunday School starts at 9:30 am until 10:30 am, following immediately by the morning Service. The afternoon worship service is at 3:30 pm, while the prayer meeting is scheduled every Wednesday at 5:00 pm. The mission house which is located at Bgy. Sampaloc is currently under renovation. There are 21 baptized members, five of whom were baptized in August, 2008.
Of the eight families who regularly attend the services, seven families are members. Ptr. Eric conducts 14 home Bible Studies, one of which is conducted in Camp Capinpin at Sgt. Grospe's family residence. This family are Baptists who became cold in the faith but desire to be revived. Ptr. Eric started to conduct a Discipleship Training Course to three of his men, Bro. Teodorico Latoja, Bro. Arthur Russ, Sr., and Bro. Joel Malazzab (an active soldier). The missionary also plans to conduct a Women's Sunday School Training Seminar to train their own Sunday School teachers.
On November 8, 2008, Saturday service started in Sitio Ibucao, Bgy. Laiban, Tanay, Rizal. This is the product of two years of labor of Ptr. Eric where he walks two km. to reach the treasure field of Sitio Ibucao. Also, this was made possible because of God's hand that moved a couple, Tatay Teody and Nanay Rolly Latoja, to be his co-laborers with their willingness to offer their house for the work. Services are conducted in their house and in the Mission House that was built for the mission work there.
Sitio Ibucao has a population of 200 residents. A church from whatever denomination is yet to be established there. But thanks to God. Who enabled Ptr. Eric to preach His word there. By December 27, 2008, they will start their Saturday worship service at 9:00 in the morning. Currently, there are four families who regularly attend the services and three attendees are ready to follow the Lord for baptism.
Let us pray for Sampaloc Mission and praise the Lord who poured His blessings and touched the hearts of the people to respond to the Gospel.
Short History
Sampaloc, Tanay is a large and promising barangay with a fast-growing population of more than 30,000, the majority of whom are migrants.It is approximately 21 kilometers away from Tanay proper. Strategically positioned, intersecting the Infanta road, its hills were tapped mainly for resorts, livestock and poultry farms. For the past decade, trade and infrastructure have had a remarkable progress. It is a fertile land. And so let it be for the witness of the Gospel.
February 4, 2006 was the timely birth of the mission. Pastor Jed Raquintan started coming to Sampalok every Saturday afternoon for Bible study and visitation as requested by Dr. Yul Raquintan who has a medical clinic in the area. Bro. Yul has been witnessing for Christ to his patients. The first attendees and contacts were his patients and their families. Sis. Eden Raquintan and Sis. Marlyn Matig-a taught the children.
The attendees were quick to listen to the Word of God in spite of the unfavorable experiences which most of them had with other Baptists. The Baptists have been there for more than a generation. Unbelievers who knew the name were repulsive to the message of salvation. The bad testimony had tinted the glory of the Gospel with suspicion. But the situation demanded that the community should be given an alternative. They must see the Biblical difference of a true and historic Baptist in faith and practice.
Since August 2006, the believers started requesting for Sunday services. On January 7, 2007 the request was granted. Henceforth, Pastor Jed and Pastor Eric Matig-a, missionary to Pakil, Laguna, alternately preach during the Sunday afternoon service, while their wives teach the children. Pastor Eric does the visitation work during the week.
From a handful of three to five attendees, it now has an average attendance of 14 adults. Children’s class have 15 to 20 students. The meeting place is one of the business stalls provided by Bro. Jeffrey Madera and family.
The work is promising. The fertile soil must be regularly cultivated with the best and suitable variety of crops under the skillful hand of a diligent farmer. Do ask and expect the Lord of the harvest that He will prepare a choice missionary for Sampalok, that He will preserve the responsive hearts of the believers and unbelievers, and that He will provide healing for those who were once offended. The work must go forward!
