“We are glad to be here to establish, inaugurate, and celebrate this milestone in the life of the United Filipino company,” John H. Cress, Southern California Conference (SCC) executive secretary, said at the congregation’s company organization this spring.
At first, the congregation was recognized as a Sabbath School group by the Central Filipino church in 2009. Under the leadership of Pastor Nester Ramos, the group became known as the United Filipino group. In 2016, they began meeting at the East Valley Adventist School chapel in Baldwin Park. Membership quickly grew to almost 100. Today, retired pastors Rey Torres and Simeon Rosete Jr. and church elder Edgar Policarpio assist Edbert Carceler, district pastor of United Filipino company and Haven company, to cater to the needs of the flock.
Many people came together from Haven company, East Valley Adventist School, Central Filipino church, San Gabriel and Foothill zones in the Asian/Pacific Region, SCC, and the Pacific Union Conference.
James G. Lee, SCC vice president, challenged the church to make disciples and bless others. “From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is concerned with God’s purpose of creating a people who would respond to Jesus in faith and obedience,” he said, “and who would be a source of blessing to all they come in contact with.”
Kathleen V. Diaz, SCC CFO/treasurer, presented an evangelism check for $2,500. Vinh Nguyen, Asian/Pacific Region director, talked about the importance of redefining ministry.
VicLouis Arreola III, Pacific Union Conference vice president for Asian Pacific ministries, shared five key points for guidance on what’s needed for a healthy, growing church: spiritual renewal, training members for ministry, evangelism, Bible seminars, and discipleship.
Looking forward, Carceler talked about the purpose of the church. “We have the privilege to hasten the soon return of Jesus, and that can only happen when everyone is filled with the Holy Spirit,” Carceler said. “With that power, we go out and move forward until we reach our destination. The train that passed by a few minutes ago is a reminder that we are a movement. We should be on the train—the gospel train—to move forward.”
