Photo Courtesy: Pastor Renato Furo and OPIF Digest Correspondent, Sis. Rachele Alvarez
Aliaga, Nueva Ecija --- “For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.”
A verse taken from 2 Chronicles 7:16 was the theme for the Church Inauguration Service of OPIF PH Sector 12 in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija held last May 22, 2022. The said event was attended by some pastors, elders, and leaders of the organization from different parts of the Philippines.
The Opening Prayer was led by Sis. Winnie Lazaro, wife of Pastor Jhun Lazaro who’s a former member of OPIF ME S2 and now, co-ministering with Pastor Alfred Dasig in all of the ministry works in Nueva Ecija.
“First and foremost, I give thanks to our living God who made this event possible. Indeed it is the will of God for His Word to spread out to all nations,” said Pastor Alfred Dasig, resident pastor of the newly inaugurated church, in his Welcome Remarks. In his speech, he also thanked the Board of Directors, the Philippine National Overseer, the pastors, and all the visitors who have participated in the Inaugural service. He had also given appreciation to Pastor Jhun Lazaro whom he addressed as partner in the ministry. He did not forget to give gratitude as well to his family and loved-ones who have wholeheartedly supported him from the beginning of his calling.
“I can’t do this alone especially without God’s help and everyone I mentioned”, said Pastor Dasig as he ended his welcome address.
Pastor Allyn Gagarin, the Chairman of the Board, was also present to grace the event. Pastor Gagarin encouraged the church saying, “Make all your petitions known unto God. Bring it all to His temple and I have full confidence that the Lord will grant all of your requests. Just keep the faith and give your best service unto the Lord to give glory due to His Name. Trust in the Lord and continue to live according to His Word. And let the love of God reigns in the church of God.”
“I am truly blessed with the life of Pastor Dasig”, said Pastor Martino Cortan, former Chairman of the Board and now, a cell group leader of Pangasinan, as he recalled OPIF PH S12 Pastor saying that he might be tired of all the preparations for the inauguration but he gets stronger every time he’s reminded that what he’s doing is for the Lord.
Pastor Cortan agreed to Pastor Dasig by quoting a verse found in 2 Corinthians 4:16 which says “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” He ended his words of encouragement with another verse from 1 Corinthians 15:58 saying, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Afterwards was a special song presentation from Pastor Lazaro and his family which was followed by another message from the Vice Chairman of the Board, Pastor Emiliano Neric. “If it’s stated in the Bible that we’ll be blessed for our obedience to God then it is what it is. Whatever God promised to His children from the beginning will remain as is for today because He’s a God who never changes.”
Pastor Marilyn Neric, BOD in FInance, on the other hand said her message of encouragement to the celebrating church via Zoom. She reminded everyone that we are the real temple of God and that we should continue to be the light of this world and that God must be seen in everyone’s lives.
Next was the overview of the church history narrated by the resident pastor himself, Pastor Dasig. Immediately after was the Inaugural and Installation Service headed by the OPIF Philippines National Overseer, Pastor Victor Notario Sr. who traveled all the way from Bicol.
“Dreams without action, prayers, and without JESUS are just mere imaginations or fantasies. But dreams coupled with faith and actions, with prayer and with the help of our Lord JESUS CHRIST will surely become a reality”, said Pastor Notario Sr. before proceeding with the ceremony. Pastor Alfred Dasig and his Deputy Pastor, Pastor Jhun Lazaro, were then prayed over by all the pastors and ministers present in the event.
It was then followed subsequently by Pastor Erwin Gaviola, resident pastor of OPIF PH S9, giving an exhortation on tithes and offering. Next was the Praise and Worship being led by Pastor Jhun Lazaro. He was then assisted by Pastor Solomon Belic, OPIF PH S3 resident pastor, together with his wife, Pastor Marilyn Belic, and Bro. Bernard Alvarez of S3.
Loud praises were then followed by the preaching of the Word of the newly installed pastor, Pastor Dasig. He encouraged the congregation to keep on serving the Lord and reminded everyone about the mansion God has promised and prepared for those who keep their faith in the Lord.
The three hour service was hosted by Pastor Renato Furo, resident pastor of OPIF PH S2. Right before it was an Evangelistic Crusade making it a two day event. It was also preceded with a day of prayer and fasting joined in by all pastors and ministers assuring the event’s victory. And the church of God was not left empty handed for eleven souls were water baptized in JESUS’ Name.
After the Inauguration, Pastor Victor Notario Sr. together with Pastor Renato Furo and Pastor Erwin Gaviola headed to Zambales to have fellowship with Bro. Felix Musa of OPIF ME S6. The Good News of Salvation was then shared to Bro. Musa’s household and his wife’s family. Afterwards was a mini- Evangelistic Crusade which resulted to four (4) souls submitting to water baptism in JESUS’ Name. The said crusade was held in Pastor Alex Mapa’s house. Pastor Mapa is a former member of OPIF ME S6 and currently ministering in Australia. Before heading back home, they also had a fellowship with Bro. Sonny Morales, another former member of OPIF ME S3.
