Spotlight: EMC Calasiao

EMC Calasiao is another member of our EMC family in the Philippines. Located next to Dagupan in the town of Calasiao, it is led by Pastor Edison Ferrer who we affectionately call Pastor Eds.

When our missionaries were in the Philippines in 2010, EMC Calasiao was on the verge of forming. We did however get the opportunity to work with Pastor Eds during that transitional time. And although we haven't met our Calasiao congregation, we love them very much.

EMC Calasiao first began meeting in the home of one of the church mothers, Nanay Ida and soon began to grow. Today we have 22 adults and 8 young people who are attending the church and serving.

Pastor Eds helping clean our new building

Recently, EMC Calasiao was able to sign a lease so that way they would be to meet and worship in a building. This is especially helpful during rainy season when typhoons and floods are frequent. Members from both EMC Calasiao and EMC Dagupan have been working hard cleaning, renovating and putting up dividers and hopefully by September 1st, EMC Calasiao will be able to start using the building for meetings and services.

One of the programs EMC Calasiao is working on right now is the creation of a student center. The student center would be a place where students can study, fellowship with one another, hold bible studies and just relax and play games. Additionally, the student center would have after school tutoring programs and counseling services available to students in need. We hope that students would not just benefit academically from the student center but spiritually and morally as well. I have seen the wonderful long lasting effects of establishing a student center and I pray that God will use EMC Calasiao and the student center to help change lives.

Are they working or having fun or both?

EMC Calasiao is located in a town where many people have religion but few people have faith. Real faith isn't about going to church on Sundays and saying a few prayers. EMC Calasiao hopes for a religious breakthrough where people realize that the number of prayers or services one attends doesn't matter but having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important thing in one's life. Please pray with us as EMC Calasiao continues to minister to the people of Calasiao.

-Melissa M

(My apologies for the absence. School is starting to rev up for me. But fear not! I will update!)

Outside our new building

Our future sanctuary

Everyone working together to clean!