CBYFP unlocks CPBC's heritage

United in Song. The CBYFP participants singing "Find Us Faithful."

How can 110 years and over a hundred written pages of CPBC's history be turned into a reality in less than 30 minutes?

For some, that question might seem quite impossible to answer; but, for everybody behind the success of the CPBC Cultural Presentation sponsored by CBYFP on May 27, 2010 at the CPU Rose Memorial Auditorium, only with God, anything is possible.

Here's a preview of CBYFP's Cultural Presentation. As you read on, may you also reflect on the journey of faith that has been left by our forefathers for us to uphold.

Enjoy the journey as much we did in presenting it during the 2nd Biennial Assembly.

FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH: The CPBC Heritage

(Excerpts from the script used during the actual presentation)

There was a time, when the word “Baptist” was still unknown to a land that had struggled for freedom from slavery, discrimination and degradation and from more than three centuries of Spanish oppression.

Little did the Filipinos know that at the turn of the 20th century, a journey was about to begin. It was a journey of faith that would withstand the many changing tests of time in the Philippine Baptist history and in the history of the Philippines herself.

The 20th Century. CBYFP members depicting the Philippines circa 1900.

ACT I: DISCOVERING THE PAST

On the 3rd day of May, 1900, the starting point of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and the history of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society in the Philippines began.

It was on that day when Rev. Eric Lund and Braulio Ciriaco Manikan y Miralles, the recognized pioneers of the Philippine Baptist history, arrived in Iloilo.

Serious yet Reflective. Joash (a.k.a. Rev. Lund) and MattMatt (a.k.a. Braulio Manikan) fit well in playing the roles of the Baptist pioneers.

On February 1901, Jaro Evangelical Church was established. It became the oldest Baptist Church in the Philippines.

The American Baptist missionaries founded the Baptist Home School (now Filamer Christian College) in Capiz in 1904, followed by the Jaro Industrial School (now Central Philippine University) in 1905.

The challenge to continue Jesus’ healing ministry resulted in the establishment of Iloilo Mission Hospital in 1907 and Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in 1908.

On March 17, 1906, eight Filipinos were ordained as the first Filipino Baptist pastors. The missionaries made sure that those ordained Filipinos would render a long service and promise to exercise church leadership.

By 1910, almost every capital town in Western Visayas had a Baptist church holding a worship service.

THE BIRTH OF CPBC

The year 1935 saw the birth of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, Inc. It was a gift of history to the Filipino Baptists...and was also the first official step in the turnover process from American to Filipino leadership.

The first officers of the Convention were:
President: Dr. Feliciano Sombito
Vice President: Dr. Pedro Rio
Gen. Secretary: Dr. Jorge Masa
Associate Gen. Secretary: Dr. S. S. Feldman
Chairman of the Board of Trustees: Dr. Lorenzo Porras

In Character. The CBYFP officers at their best in portraying CPBC's first officers, together with UC, TSBC, and HEC YPs.

In 1939, CPBC’s program of Missionary Affairs, Evangelism, Rural Life and Work, Religious Education and Literature, Woman’s Work, and House Mission Work, were defined and committees were created to handle the programs.

However, the full implementation of those programs was stopped by the outbreak of World War II.

THE YEARS DURING WWII

Two important events occurred in the Philippine Baptist history during World War II:

1. the death of many Filipino Baptists;

and the massacre of the 11 American Baptist missionaries by the Japanese at Hopevale, Brgy. Katipunan, Tapaz, Capiz on December 24, 1945.

Seeking Hope at Hopevale. The Dungon Christian Church YPs dramatically depict the unforgettable memories left at Hopevale.

2. the destruction of many buildings, houses, and churches.

Fast Fact. Many Japanese soldiers who came to the Philippines during WWII were actually Koreans who were recruited to the Japanese army.

The decision of the Philippine Baptists to preserve the right of the Baptist churches to exist amidst the war proved to be the testing fire of faith. This persistent faith was a decisive factor why the Philippine Baptist churches survived.

Fast Fact. Today, if you visit Hopevale in Capiz, you will find the remains of the missionaries safely kept underneath a cross that is situated on top of a hill, in honor and in remembrance of their devotion to God and to the Filipino people whom they have helped, nurtured and taught of the Gospel. A few meters away, you can find the "Cathedral in the Glen." It was their place of worship during their hiding.

THE DECADES FOLLOWING WWII

In spite of the proclamation of martial law, church activities throughout the CPBC were carried out as usual. In 1945, the members of the CPBC Board of Trustees met for the first tme after a period during which they were unable to convene. Old and new missionaries arrived to rebuild what the war had destroyed.

In 1949, the West Visayas Chrstian Youth Fellowship was established. It was changed to Baptist Youth Fellowship of the Philippines in 1957 and to Convention Baptist Youth Fellowhsip of the Philippines in 1978.

In 1954, Camp Higher Ground was established as a Campsite for Young People.

All in one. Take it all from the BCC YP in their energetic performance.

CPBC DURING THE MARTIAL LAW YEARS

In spite of the proclamation of Martial Law by President Marcos, church activities throughout CPBC were carried out as usual.

Dr. Domingo J. Diel and the late Dr. Johnny V. Gumban led the Philippine Baptist Churches at the height of martial law.

They were firm in their views that Christians should participate in fighting against injustice and oppression in the society and work for national peace and reconciliation.

During the Marcos dictatorship, many Baptists were involved and many opposed to dictatorship.

One of them was Fluellen Ortigas.

The CPBC Youth Organization gave up their activities for about five years during the early period of martial law. The Baptist youth activists in the 1970s were silenced after the proclamation of martial law.

Proud to be Filipino. The CCC YP join hands after portraying the harsh Martial law years.

ACT II: LIVING THE PRESENT

At the break of the new millennium until the present, there are approximately 1,000 member churches all over the Philippines from Luzon, Mindoro, Panay (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo), Romblon, Negros, Cebu, Eastern and Western Mindanao, Mindoro and Palawan with one church overseas in Hong Kong.

United in Faith. This is where we are now.

After more than a century from the arrival of Lund and Manikan, the number of baptized members today has reached 300,000; 500,000 in all, including children.

CPBC was likewise able to amend its constitution and now holds its general assembly biennially.

ACT III. FACING THE FUTURE (FINALE)

Seventy-five years of SERVICE.

Seventy-five years of DEDICATION.

Seventy-five years of UNSLEFISH ACTS.



This is our DEVOTION--ever-enduring, never burning out.

We have looked back at our past. As we live our present, may we look at our future with HOPE as we continue the legacy that has been left to us; and, like our forefathers, may we leave behind FOOTPRINTS OF FAITH so that all who will come behind may FIND US FAITHFUL.

# END #

References:

Acosta, Rudy, 1985. "A Brief History of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches."

Bunda, Nestor, 1999. A Mission History of the Philippine Baptist Churches 1898-1998: Drukerei Mainz GmbH, Aachen.

Beaver, Raymond W., 1988. Partners in Mission: American Baptists and Philippine Baptists in Mission Together 1900-1985: ABC Printing Press, Iloilo City, 1998.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

CBYFP would like to thank the following for making the Cultural Presentation possible:

All participating youth groups:
Baptist Center Church
Community Christian Church, Inc.
Dungon Christian Church
Highway Evangelical Church, Inc.
Tabuc Suba Baptist Church
University Church
Ms. Deli Baclagon (for the reference book)
Rev. Job Santiago (for the additional CPBC information)
Pavia Baptist Church (for the choir piece of Find Us Faithful)
Ms. Julie Ann Lagulao (for the live accompaniment)
Engr. Vitini Idemne (for directing the choir)

...and to everybody for the prayers and moral support!

...but most of all, to our Lord, who has, time and again, proven

that it all takes our faith in Him to make what seems impossible,

really possible to happen.

All praise be unto Him. To God be the glory!