Photo Courtesy: Pastor Renato Furo, Pastor Victor Notario Jr., and OPIF Digest Correspondent, Sis. Rachele Alvarez
Bautista, Pangasinan --- There are now thirteen (13) OPIF sectors in the Philippines as Pangasinan Cell Group was officially introduced to the church as OPIF PH Sector 13 last July 17, 2022 in Brgy. Poponto, Bautista, Pangasinan in 7 years time after the first sector in the Philippines has been inaugurated.
Over a hundred to include pastors, ministers, and brethren from different sectors in the Philippines and from abroad had shown support to the newly recognized church. Among those who were seen in the event were Pastor Emiliano Neric, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, together with his wife, Pastor Marilyn Neric, BoD-Finance Directress. OPIF PH National Overseer, Pastor Victor Notario Sr., and some members of the National Council like Sis. Rachele Alvarez, OPIF PH Education Directress, and husband, Bro. Bernard Alvarez, who led the event’s Technical Team were also present to grace the event.
The early birds in the event were the saints from OPIF PH S12 with their Resident Pastor, Pastor Alfred Dasig, and Deputy Pastor Jhun Lazaro. Pastor Marlon Martin, his family, and some saints from OPIF PH S1 traveled for few hours from San Mateo, Rizal just to show support as well. And also, seen in the place were former pastor and elders from OASIS like Pastor Tony Adriano, Bro. Cesar De Leon, and Bro. Paul Santiago together with their families. Wife of Pastor Bernard De Vera of OPIF ME S7, Sis. Merla De Vera, had also shown support with her presence. Pastor Alfred Pamaqued of OPIF ME, who's on a vacation at that time, together with his family and family of Bro. Nestor Galang of S1 joined the event as well.
There were also pastors and brethren who joined the celebration via Zoom. The said event was also livestreamed in the OPIF Global Community group page in which the other OPIF saints were able to write their congratulatory messages. Although, the Chairman of the Board, Pastor Allyn Gagarin, and OPIF PH National Presbyter, Pastor Solomon Vili weren't present in the event, they failed not to send their advance greetings to the celebrating church. Same goes for the other Board of Directors who weren't able to make it.
Pastor Erwin Gaviola of S9, Pastor Renato Furo of S2, Pastor Rico Lucas, Pastor Victor Notario Jr of S7, and the Overseer were already present a day before the Inauguration as they were used by God to minister in the Evangelistic Crusade held in the covered court of the barangay few meters away from the church. Wife of Pastor Lucas, Sis. Marivic, was also there to give support. After hearing the gospel, there were eight (8) souls then who stood up as the Overseer asked who have understood it and would like to be baptized in water in the Name of JESUS.
“I was really surprised seeing my father being the first one to stand up when the Overseer called for water baptism. I couldn’t believe it. I’m really in awe with what God has done,” said Sis. Mary Ann Perez, one active OPIF PH S13 member. Her mother that same night decided to get baptized too. The baptism was supposed to happen after the crusade but then came the heavy rain so it was rescheduled the following day, on the day of the Inauguration.
The Inauguration Service started with some safety reminders from Bro. Mark Jonathan Perez. And was then followed by Sis. Mary Ann Perez leading the devotion. Sis. Nelly Cortan, wife of OPIF PH S13’ resident pastor on the other hand, cried tears of joy as she was overwhelmed seeing the brethren and visitors who had shown love and support to the church. “We really appreciate all your efforts especially those who came from afar who didn’t mind the high cost of travel expenses. May the Lord give it all back to you a hundredfold!” said Sis. Cortan in her speech.
The church history was then presented by Sis. Mona Liza Ludan and Sis. Roxanne Asio. Pastor Lucas, was also called to give a Congratulatory Message to the congregation. After which, was a song presentation from the church’ OYCM Department.
The Lord then encouraged the church through Vice Chairman of the Board, Pastor Emiliano Neric, in his words of encouragement for Pastor Martino Cortan and the saints of OPIF PH S13. It was followed by with the giving of Tithes and Offering and then, the Praise and Worship led by the Worship Team of S13. And immediately after was the National Overseer himself leading the church in the Inauguration and Installation Ceremony.
And before Pastor Martino gives his first preaching as the newly installed Resident Pastor of OPIF PH S13, another song entitled “Overcomer” was offered to God by the congregation as their thanksgiving to the Lord. Pastor Cortan then preached the message of the Lord, with a title “Our Blessed Hope” being the event’s theme, taken from Titus 2:13, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” The event was then closed with a message of gratitude and prayer led by Bro. Fernando Cruz, the church’ assistant pastor.
“I’m looking forward to more Evangelistic Crusades in the coming weeks. I am confident that the Lord is going to save more souls in this place. We just have to do our part, to continue doing what God has asked us to do and that’s to fulfill the Great Commission, to teach and preach the gospel until the Lord’s coming!” said Pastor Martino Cortan when asked about his plans after being formally installed.
Initially, 8 souls committed to water baptism in JESUS’ Name but 4 were added resulting to a total of 11 souls being water baptized in JESUS’ Name that day. The three hour event was hosted by Sis. Denia Cruz of S13.
