K N O X
L E M E R Y
U M C

The Making of the Newest Organized Local Church in the PAC

Towards the end of C.Y. 1999-2000, after having conducted a number of MODE (Medical, Optical, Dental, & Evangelistic) outreach missions in Lemery, Batangas in the past two years, Rev. Vic Madella, Administrative Pastor of Knox UMC, and Engr. Gamaliel T. de Armas, Jr., Chairperson of the Witness Ministries of Knox UMC, shared the belief that the towns of Lemery and Agoncillo in Batangas were ripe for serious evangelization efforts that could lead to the setting up of a mission extension of Knox UMC. The Bishop and his cabinet were in agreement.  Thus, during the planning session for CY 2000-2001, the Witness Ministries placed the evangelization efforts for the Lemery-Agoncillo mission area as its top priority.  Workshops were conducted on several Saturdays to train counselors who were to participate in the evangelization efforts.

Two young members of  the Aldersgate Worship Service at Knox UMC that had decided to enter the ministry that year, Cesar Proceso and Ralph Cruz, were assigned as mission pastors to Lemery and Agoncillo with the active support of Engr. de Armas as Team Leader in charge of the project looking after the project’s logistical requirements and sparing the young pastors of administrative details.  Rev. Arestedes Balatan. Pastor of the Aldersgate Worship Service, was designated Supervising Elder to ensure that the new pastors had the necessary guidance and spiritual leadership. Rev. Madella gave his full backing and personally joined the first few visits to the mission site.  He had good reasons for wanting the mission to succeed as he hails from Batangas.

Rev. Madella talks to some
B.S. regulars at Lemery in 2000.


Rally at Agoncillo after medical outreach.

It was decided by the Project Team that a MODEL (Medical Optical Dental Evangelistic Legal) outreach and evangelistic rally would be held at Agoncillo to make the presence of the UMC known in the new mission area which would make it easier for the pastors to move around.  Engr. De Armas and the two pastors called on the Mayor and other officials to introduce the UMC and to get permission to conduct a MODEL and evangelistic rally at the municipalities’ covered court.  The municipality not only gave their approval but also offered tables and chairs.  The pastors interacted with the Barangay officials and through them distributed coupons for free medical, dental, optical and legal consultation. Information sheets were filled out before coupons were issued to ensure that the patients’ name and address are known and listed down for follow-up. The MODEL and the evangelistic rally advertised as “Konsyerto Para Sa Panginoon sa Agoncillo” was held in August 2000.  Both events were successful with more than 300 patients attended to and counseled, and about 30 people accepting Christ during the altar call.  Knox UMC Church Council Chairperson Danny Gonzales came and served as counselor, together with Pastor Sam, Jesse Garcia, prayer intercessors, and the Praise and Worship Team of the Aldersgate Worship Service.

In the meantime, the BS at Lemery was strengthened and the number grew so that after some deliberation the first worship service in the Lemery-Agoncillo mission area was held on October 4, 2000 in the yard of one of its original members, a few blocks from where the first and second chapels would rise. Rev. Arestedes Balatan, conducted the service and the sacrament of communion assisted by mission pastors Cesar Proceso and Ralph Cruz.  About 25 adults and children were present.  During the fellowship that followed, Eden Mariano was elected president while Marjorie Cabrera was elected Secretary. 
 

First evangelistic rally at Lemery
held at Brgy. Anak Dagat.

Residents of Brgy. Anak Dagat respond to altar call during evangelistic rally.

However, it turned out that many of those that attended the initial service and the subsequent Sunday services belonged to another religious group and when their elders called their attention, they stopped attending the Sunday service.  Thus, the worship services ceased until the pastors, who had moved to Agoncillo to be closer to the growing BS groups, decided to move back to Lemery in June 2001.  That same month, Rev. Balatan was transferred to Grace UMC as Administrative Pastor and Rev. Bener Agtarap succeeded him as Supervising Elder.  About 7 would remain faithful and continue to worship in a make-do chapel using bamboo poles and canvas roof built in July by Pastors Cesar and Ralph and another young mission pastor from Knox, Pastor Christopher Cruz, that officially joined the team during CY 2001-2002.  This chapel was built outside their one-bedroom apartment in Filipinismo St., Barangay Lucky, Lemery.  The chapel was officially called Knox UMC Lemery Mission Extension.  With the addition of Pastor Cruz, Taal was added as part of Knox UMC’s mission area. 

By October, the flooring of the chapel that used to be uneven and muddy during the heavy rains, was cemented “Bayanihan” style with the help of the three pastors and Project Team. An evangelistic rally was held in October 2001 in the basketball court of an adjajcent Barangay, Anak-Dagat, supported by the Praise and Worship Team and Prayer Intercessors of the Aldersgate Worship Service, the Knox Male Voices, CE and the WSCS.  A video presentation was prepared by Rev. Agtarap and Francis Sy-changco on the theme, “Christ is the Answer in our Troubled World” while Rev. Conrado Cruz delivered the message ending in an altar call and prayer for healing.  This rally converted the whole dela Luna Family to the Methodist faith.  They have become one of the most active families and regular worshippers
 

From an average attendance of five during Sunday worship, the number quickly grew and by December, the small space that could accommodate about 12 chairs, needed to be enlarged.  The Witness chairperson prepared a chapel design and made arrangements to get the wood and GI roofing from the old parsonage at Knox UMC that was being demolished to reduce the cost of the construction of a bigger chapel in a much bigger lot provided by the owner of the same compound at a nominal cost.  The chapel had to have a provision for dismantling in case the landlord decides in the future to terminate the lease.  By the end of March 2002, the Lemery Mission congregation moved in to a much bigger chapel with high ceilings that could accommodate more than forty worshippers.  Later on, insulating materials would be pasted on the ceiling to eliminate the heat coming from the GI roof.  A Praise and Worship Team emerged led by Dory dela Luna.

In June 2002, a new mission pastor, Pastor Allan Balang from Grace UMC, replaced Pastors Ralph and Perry Cruz who were assigned to Bicutan UMC and Emmanuel Mission, respectively.  Pastor Cesar remained but he served only during weekends as he entered the seminary for schooling together with Pastor Ralph and Perry.  Pastor Allan brought his drum set replacing the old set from Knox UMC. Instrumentalists received more training through the efforts of Pastor Allan who made them attend workshops in Manila. Bamboo slot panels were added later through the efforts of the young people and Mr. Lito Lontoc that added beauty and privacy to the chapel.  A hospital ministry was added.  An overnight retreat for the members was conducted for the first time in the lakeside residence of the Cabrera Family.  About 8 – 10 families were now attending Sunday worship services.  Rev. Fernando Jose took over as Supervising Elder of the mission replacing Rev. Agtarap who was given an assignment in the US.

Patients undergo interview and
blood pressure examination
prior to counselling.

 

Witness Chair Gam de Armas
with three pioneer mission pastors
(Ralph Cruz, Perry Cruz, and Cesar Proceso)
in Lemery-Agoncillo-Taal mission area
of Knox UMC.

For CY 2003-2004, Pastor Perry returned to Lemery on weekend assignment as he was still studying at UTS.  Together with a former DS in Palawan, Rev. Sonny de la Peña, new grounds were opened.  Rev. Dr. Menre Mendillo took over as Supervising Elder from Rev. Jose who returned to PACE and he briefed the members on the UMC structure and doctrines.  By the end of January 2004, three MODELs had been conducted in Lemery and Taal which were instrumental in adding new members.  The work at Cawit, Taal was strengthened and two families from that place were now attending Sunday worship services at Lemery. The number of families increased to 18 and the number of worshippers including children had gone up to 75.
 

Patients are counselled prior to
doctor’s examination during MODEL.


A portable pharmacy fills doctor’s
prescriptions- medicines from Knox /
Mary Johnston Hospital
 

An overnight planning session for CY 2004-2005 that included budget details was held on January 28, 2004 at Subic town led by Rev. Mendillo and Engr. de Armas to chart the course of the mission extension in the event it was organized as a local church.  On February 14, 2004.Knox Lemery UMC was organized as a local church in the North West Metro Manila District  Eden Mariano was elected Council Chairperson and Dory dela Luna was elected Lay Leader.  During the 94^th Session of the PAC in May 2004, the church was formally accepted as the newest local church in the Philippines Annual Conference  The church is now looking for a permanent home as its present 50 sq. m. rented space is no longer adequate to meet their growing membership and church activities.

Rev. Fernando Jose baptizes member at
Lemery coast assisted by
Pastor Proceso & Ptr. Balang.