On June 7, 2015, the Metro Manila Christian Church celebrated its 26th anniversary as a congregation at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). More than 3,500 disciples together with visiting families and friends from all over Metro Manila, nearby provincial churches, and from other churches here and abroad joined the celebration. Spearheaded by the campus ministry, it was also the culminating activity of the three-day Philippine Campus Conference 2015 entitled "The Uprising."
The Uprising - 26 years ago
In 1989, the following events and ‘uprisings’ contributed in shaping and changing history in various parts of the globe:
- F.W. de Klerk, South African new prime minister started to dismantle apartheid
- On November 8, the East German government threw open its borders and announced that its citizens can then travel freely to West Germany, bidding farewell to the Berlin wall, a barrier which separated Germany for 28 years
- 24 years of dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu, General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party, had finally come to an end after several days of bloody fighting
Also in 1989, the Metro Manila Christian Church was planted by 28 disciples who gave up their dreams and ambitions in the United States just to bring hope and spread God’s love to thousands of lives in the Philippines.
The Warfare Goes On
Twenty six years ago, the newly-planted church in the Philippines declared war against Satan and won hundreds upon thousands of souls for God. Despite various challenges and persecutions throughout the years, the disciples matured and persevered and held on to God’s love and faithfulness. The message theme ‘Uprising’ is a reminder of that declaration of war against Satan and its evil forces. The warfare goes on. But this time the disciples ought to be more equipped.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” -- Ephesians 6:12
Putting on the full armor of God
Dr. Douglas Jacoby gave the main message during the worship service. Reading through Ephesians 6:10-18, he tackled each piece of the armor and encouraged everyone to be on guard and put on the full armor (a.k.a. panoply) of God:
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Feet fitted with readiness
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit
Being 40 years old in the faith, he encouraged the church to build its faith by studying out God’s words and sharing its faith to other people, and to pray in the Spirit at all times.
God’s encouragement
The singing, the preaching, the fellowship, and the reunions (of parents and children, members of former sector/house church/faith groups, previous officemates and schoolmates, etc.) was so inspiring that undoubtedly God’s encouragement was felt throughout the anniversary worship service. On top of that, six souls from various sectors were added to God’s kingdom on that day!