• NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER
Indeed, “75 years of God’s Faithfulness” sums up the ministry of Bacolod City Fellowship Baptist Church as the congregation celebrated its Diamond Year for the whole month of September with the theme, “Committed to Stand for God” (1 Timothy 6:20).
It was in the early days of 1947 when the late Dr. Jose Latorilla Sr. planted the seed of the gospel in Bacolod City, and in September 1948, an independent, indigenous fundamental organization, which is now the BCFBC, came to life.
As the first church pastor, Latorilla dedicated his life to the ministry for 48 years. He was succeeded by Dr. Rudy Escobar as the second senior pastor, who is now the pastor emeritus.
Rev. Vimon Othniel Doromal currently serves as the senior pastor.
“I would like to praise and thank the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness to BCFBC. As we go back 75 years ago, we can all say that it is only because of God’s grace that BCFBC is what it is today,” Doromal said.
“It is incumbent upon us to make a stand and to be committed to Him and to His Word,” he added.
The Lord’s faithfulness has also brought the church to its new location on Galo St. in Barangay 23 this year, after several decades of sustaining the ministry at its previous site on Mercedes Avenue along the Libertad Market.
During the month-long anniversary celebration, the church held various activities, which kicked off with a motorcade and followed by a fellowship at La Costa Brava in Talisay City on Sept. 2.
On Sept. 3, the BCFBC held a dedication service for its church lot and building and inaugurated and unveiled the marker of the Latorilla Hall as a tribute to the church’s first pastor.
The service also included the dedication of the Dr. Rudy C. Escobar Library in honor of the faithfulness in God’s ministry of the pastor emeritus.
On Sept. 10, the church’s various organizations gathered for a fellowship and friendly competition while on Sept. 10, the inter-church fellowship was participated by members of the outreach churches in Murcia, Handumanan, Abuanan, Granada and Boulevard.
The medical mission on Sept. 16 served more than 100 patients, who were also able to listen to the gospel of salvation.
An Anniversary Banquet was held at Sugarland Hotel on Sept. 22, where the church paid tribute to the pastors and workers and the founding families of BCFBC.
The two-day Bible Fellowship on Sept. 23 and 24 highlighted the anniversary theme, with Pastor Winifred Selga of the Gospel Light Fundamental Baptist Church as the main speaker along with Dr. Rudy Escobar. ||
