PANSOL UMC HISTORY
In the late 1980’s, a small Bible study group emerged in the corner of Pansol, Balara. Rev. Nonato Vengco of the Kamuning First United Methodist Church (KFUMC) urged the couple Manny and Cel Sambilay to take an active part in spreading God’s saving Word in the community.
It all started with a kiddie extension class, leading on to the adults’ bible study sessions. Starting out with mostly relatives and close neighbors, these activities flourished with the dedication of then lay leader now Pastor Paquito and wife tita Thelma Florendo. Eventually, Rev. Nelson Castorillo took over KFUMC and continued with the vision that Rev. Vengco started. Thereafter, Rev. Armando Arellano took to lead his flock in Pansol. Together with wife Debbie, they enabled the group to become even stronger and united until it was recognized as a worshipping congregation and many other activities followed suit.
All these activities were made livelier with the presence of Atty. Ramoncito (Pastor Mon) Mison and wife tita Noni, who to this day continue to serve the Lord, give time and effort, and share their blessings and faith beyond measure.
On August 9, 1992, the very first worship service was held at the humble abode of the Sambilay family. At this point, it was realized that a more spacious venue was needed. Two weeks after, our prayer for a bigger place was graciously answered when the second floor of a residential apartment was made available for the congregation. In this venue, Rev. Anacleto Guerrero of KFUMC provided assistance and joined the various activities of Pansol. It was during that year also, at the Annual Conference held in Taytay UMC, that Pansol was formally recognized as a local church – the Pansol United Methodist Church (PUMC). During this time, different programs were held to equip the members, more particularly in discipleship, with additional hands from Engr. Edgar (now Pastor Egay) Refuerzo.
Not long after, in perfect timing, the Lord blessed us with a place on which to build our church. Using materials recycled from Kamuning, and with the support of our lay leaders and pastors, the Pansol United Methodist Church was built.
Ever faithful, Pastors Paquito and Mon continued to lead the congregration from 1994-96. Weekly activities consisted of two worship services (morning & vesper), two Sunday School groups (adult and children) , three bible study groups (two for adults and one for the youth), children and youth choir practices on Saturdays, two visitation teams, and the dawn prayer for intercession on Saturdays. The unwavering support and untiring efforts of Pastors Mon and Paquito and their wives brought many people into the Church.
As the church in Pansol assumed a more mature role, a need was felt for a full time Administrative Pastor. In 1996, Rev. Salde Sandy Bolus was appointed administrative Pastor of PUMC with Pastor Mon as part-time local pastor. In the same year, our Lord planted a desire in the heart of our brother Abcede Barbero to serve the Lord. The church positively responded by offering a scholarship for him to finish a course in education while serving as part-time pastor in charge of the youth. In March 1999, he finished his bachelor’s degree, a requisite to a Masters in Divinity, and has been serving the Taytay UMC for a number of years now.
In 1997, the Church heeded the calling to reach out to an unchurched group of Warays living in Block 7 Kaingin 1. Amidst the difficulties of passing through a steep, narrow road, coupled by lack of water and electricity, the Lord’s hand moved mightily. He used the families of Joe and Gin Tugas, Engr. Ric Manaloto, the Tans and Misons to put up a church building and parsonage. Our Bro. Boy Domingo supervised the construction work. Before the end of the year, the building was dedicated to the Lord, with Pastor Juan Biblanias as the first Kaingin Mission Pastor, followed by a younger pastor, Ralph Dumagpi, in 1998. Sis Eden, his charming wife, formed and led the choir. The members felt the love of Jesus in the service of Pastor Ralph.
In September, 1998, Pastor Bolus was assigned as chaplain to pioneer a newly organized maritime Ministry. Because of this sudden development, DS Rev. Hermogenes Joy Cera took over as administrative pastor, assisted by Pastor Mon (who was then on leave), and Bro.Tito Villanueva, PUMC’s lay leader. In 1999, Pastors Mon Mison and Conrado San Pedro were appointed local pastors of Pansol and Kaingin respectively. Then, the Church slowly revived the fellowship activities – bible study sessions, married couples fellowships. With the acquisition of several musical instruments, and the talents of our musicians – Bro. Nanding, Allan, Balong and Macmac, the praise and worship at PUMC became an intense and wonderful experience for both the young and adult worshippers.
Pastor Mon and tita Noni committed themselves all the more to serve the Lord in PUMC. Meanwhile, in the absence of a local Pastor in Kaingin, Bro. Tito took aver the role of a church worker. The immediate relatives of those who regularly attend were drawn closer to the Lord. While the church workers did not receive any compensation from their service, but in fact gave more from their own personal blessings into the service, extra funds were made available to finance fellowship and bonding activities for members and their respective families. In addition to the generous blessings and selfless giving of the Mison family, Pastor Mon also extended pro-bono legal assistance, scholarship and medical assistance not only to members but also to the community as a means of reaching out. It was this inspiration that led to the vision of someday building a multi-level church; thus, the Building Fund was set up.
In 2001, the Annual Conference confirmed the re-appointment of Pastor Mon and the appointment of Pastor Romulo Bolgado for Pansol and Kaingin respectively. Pastor Romy decided to reside at the parsonage in Kaingin. Again, at this point, the members pooled efforts and resources to make the parsonage a comfortable place for Pastor Bolgado and his family. The demise of Pastor Romy was indeed a loss to the Kaingin Mission Church. But hopes were renewed when Pastor Moody Cullamar was assigned to replace Pastor Bolgado. As if going through the fire, Pastor Cullamar took a leave after only a short while. Once again, Pastor Mon and lay leader Bro. Tito willingly took over without any second thoughts.
However, in June 2002, Pastor Mon sought to take a leave of absence. It was indeed a bitter pill to swallow for most since the living example set by the Mison couple has touched the lives of many. But the assurance that he gave to the Pansol congregation that he will be back has somewhat appeased the heavy hearts.
In 2002, the appointment of Pastor Porfirio (Pastor Jun) Ardales, Jr. and Romeo Diaros for Pansol and Kaingin respectively was read in the Annual Conference. For three years of Pastor Jun’s assignment as administrative Pastor of Pansol, he has shown his gift of healing, making sure he readily administered prayers and anointed the sick . Pastor Jun even shared the regular blessings coming from his niece from USA to the members of the congregation. Thereafter, Pastor Diaros took over PUMC for a year in 2005 as Administrative Pastor, with Pastor Jun Herradura as Student Pastor of Kaingin.
In the past fourteen years, there have been difficulties and challenges. But the Lord is faithful and just to fulfill His promise, that ‘where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them”. The dedication of Pastor Mon as one of the founding lay leaders of the Church, along with Pastors Paquito and Armand, and DS Joy Cera and their wives, has greatly contributed to building the church and her hopes on Christ, the solid ground., and in keeping the members bonded in genuine love.
Today, 2006, our Church has never been more alive and blessed with the discipleship of Pastor Mon Mison and Tita Noni - who to this day continue to embrace the entire community, become one with the people, understand and willingly respond to the people’s needs. Because of the couple’s example of selfless giving, the members are gradually evolving into more mature Christians – learning the value of giving, tithing and sharing. Pastor Jun, on the other hand, shares his gift of youth and ideals to build the Kaingin congregation with fitting activities such as feeding programs, start-up bible studies and fellowship musical sessions with the youth.
The first members are reunited, and new ones are welcomed and embraced into the flock. Feeling the great revival, there are now very active groups within the congregation – the PUMC kids, MYF, MYAF, and the MCF – whose togetherness can be felt and seen beyond the physical walls of the Church.
There may be struggles in the coming years, but our history of 14 years stands witness to His promise never to leave us nor forsake us! And, as we continue to write the story of our church with our lives, services and dedication, let us ask the divine providence to also stand strong in our mission to continuously Build the People, Build the Church.
