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Our History

A Legacy of Faith: The FullGospel Global Community Church Story
HISTORY

Everything here on earth has it’s 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 St., 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 Assembly of God Church.
American Missionaries of the Assemblies of God, Reverend and Mrs. Gunder Albert Olsen having founded the Full Gospel Center Church, Fajardo St., Jaro, Iloilo City, was awarded the Certificate of Commendation by the congregation in 1978.

Year 1971, Rev. Erwin de la 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, and December presentations were conducted. The church hall could not accommodate the guests and members during these affairs. It's too small for a large crowd.

The need for a new church building was long 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 request.

God never did failed those who honor Him because on September 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, where a year after, the promised Full Gospel Center church was erected. God is always true to His Word.

In March 1989, Pastor Nilgardo Fernández 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 und Lambunao were the next towns invaded with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Two of these town were products of Summer of Service (SOS).
Missions became the main focus of Full Gospel Center Church. Every summer, young people were sent to the mission field to join the Summer of Service. And thus we becamee financial and spiritual supporters of these growing churches in Dumangas, Barotac Viejo, San Miguel and Jordan Guimaras. Sibunag and Buenavista churches were started as products of this church planting endeavor. 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. Sia Michelle Hojilla followed a year after to oversee and train national workers for Cambodia's harvest field. At present, Bro Jose Estrebilla with wife Rowena and their daughter Rachel Rose are overseeing the growing church in Takeo with strong national leaders in partnership with them. Bro. Warren and Sis. Victoria Aragona are our missionaries to Laos helping the national pastors take the leadership roles. The success of the work in Foreign Missions is because of God's mighty outpouring of His Spirit and because of men and woman at FGCC who continually hold on the tightrope of prayer and financial supports.

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

June 6, 1999 a new congregation was birthed at Fine Rock Hotel reaching out to hungry souls at the City Proper Area. With the vision to win the city for the Lord, we see that the fields are indeed ripe for harvest. We resumed out 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 great 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!

God is faithful... and we just look up and say... To God be all the Glory, the Honor and Praise!