VICTORY CHURCH BORACAY'S
FIRST ANNIVERSARY?
White and cotton like sands, frothing and bubbling shore, these are just a fraction of what comes into people’s mind when they hear BORACAY. A small tropical island located approximately 315km south of Manila. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
The island was originally home to the Ati tribe. At first nobody knew of its existence, it wasn't till the 1970s that a foreign movie crew accidentally "discovered" this island paradise that changed the island’s pace from that of being a quiet secret to eventually being voted as having the best beach in the world. In a span of a mere 10 years, the whole world, it seemed, discovered Boracay and the once, nearly deserted stretch of beach became a teeming vacation and leisure spot for upscale tourists from all parts of the world.
The island also became a promise land (due to job opportunities) for the locals of neighboring provinces and is now a budding community with a total population of 12,003 as of year 2000. But despite its natural beauty and prestige, deep within lies a dark realm wherein declining morality is fast becoming prevalent.
Throughout the years many churches have been planted in the island, but it seems that the devil has a strong grip to it. Victory church has seen the need for a more dynamic and radical church, and so a young couple was sent out to pioneer the very first Victory Church in Boracay last May 2007. After several years of being an assistant pastor under the headship of Pastor Sammy Mores in Mandaluyong, Pastor Jojo and Linda Vicera travelled the seas and settled in the Island.
The island also became a promise land (due to job opportunities) for the locals of neighboring provinces and is now a budding community with a total population of 12,003 as of year 2000. But despite its natural beauty and prestige, deep within lies a dark realm wherein declining morality is fast becoming prevalent.
Throughout the years many churches have been planted in the island, but it seems that the devil has a strong grip to it. Victory church has seen the need for a more dynamic and radical church, and so a young couple was sent out to pioneer the very first Victory Church in Boracay last May 2007. After several years of being an assistant pastor under the headship of Pastor Sammy Mores in Mandaluyong, Pastor Jojo and Linda Vicera travelled the seas and settled in the Island.
Indeed it wasn’t easy at first. They didn’t have a permanent venue for gathering and other churches considered them as a threat. Being new to the island was a big challenge for them as well and adjusting was not a piece of cake. But truly the battle is not ours but God’s! One by one the Lord started to bring in people from all walks of life. A couple was used by God to provide a permanent place of venue for the church which is situated at the heart of the slum area wherein a big part of the populace is residing, a very good place for evangelism. Pastor Jojo also reaches out to the indigenous inhabitants of the Island-the Ati, who are now being neglected and overtaken by the tourists and foreign landlords. Truly colour and raise is not an issue in God’s Kingdom
Now equipped with a place to gather, good discipleship background and a vibrant praise and worship, Pastor Jojo was able to raise-up men and women who were eager to be used in God’s Kingdom. And through persistence, tenacity and dedication they were able to withstand the wiles of the enemy and on October 31st, 2008 they celebrated their 1st anniversary.
The event was attended by more than 100 people, who are primarily regular attendees, a really good number for a church of its age. It was an intimate night of celebrating the year that had passed and preparing for what it is to come.
Truly the abundance of God is more than enough to those who wait and suffer in His name. I have never imagined that a one year old pioneering church would be able to fly me and my Dad to such a prominent island and have us stay in a really nice hotel. Beyond doubt, the God that we are serving is awesome and He is our provider.
It was an honour for me to witness first-hand what God is doing to our church there. And I believe that this is just the beginning of a great ministry, which will make Boracay known not only for its natural beauty but a place where God’s glory dwells!
written by Chuck Mores, Victory Church Cubao