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A third class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Villasis is the home to the first mission church of Cornerstone Baptist Church (CBC). Located between the bustling areas of Urdaneta City and Rosales, it is a witness to the love and dedication of CBC men and women of God who brought the Word of God to the hearts of the Pangasinenses. Mission work in Villasis started in 1989 as a result of a burden of a young Christian lady to bring the gospel to her family in the province. That lady was Annabelle Ragsac. Upon getting saved, Annabelle was determined to let her family know of her Savior. So she made known her desire to win her family to Christ to the leaders of CBC. Though Pangasinan was far from Manila, Pastor Livioco (the Pastor of CBC then) did not allow distance to hinder the progress of God’s work. He sent Bro. Franklin Daco and three months later, Bro. Jed Raquintan to minister to the lost souls of the Ragsac family. And so salvation came to the Ragsac household. The two CBC men alternately conducted Bible study every Saturday at the Ragsac residence with only the family members attending initially. Gradually, relatives and friends started joining them. But growth was slow. It would be long before the dry ground would bear much fruit. Albeit, the CBC men continued, mindful of the fact that their task is to plant and water the seeds of God’s word. God will bring the increase. When Pastor Jed took over the pastorate of CBC in Quezon City in June 1993, he continued ministering in Villasis. In 1994 he requested Bro. Louie Hitosis to handle the work in Villasis. It was God’s providential moving as Bro. Louie then was contemplating working overseas. Pastor Jed would often say that as long as the door remains open for the Gospel, we must continue to minister. No matter how narrow or wide the opening is, the Bible must continuously be taught. Though much tears and prayers would be needed to soften the hearts of the people we are ministering to, we must keep on. Was it worth the effort, the time, and the resources? Oh yes it was! Bro. Louie and his wife, Sis. Rose were chosen and sent by CBC Quezon City to be their missionary couple in the Villasis Church on January 31, 2002. That same year, they moved their residence from Manila to Villasis. The worship services were at first held at the Ragsac residence. Then they transferred to the town’s Central school and rented its hall for its worship services every Sunday and Wednesday. Then God miraculously allowed them to win a bid given by Philippine National Bank on a repossessed house and lot. On January 30, 2005, the first Sunday School and worship services were held in their newly acquired property at Poblacion Zone 1, Villasis, Pangasinan. Glory to God! Lord willing and through His gracious provision, by next year the remaining balance will be fully paid to PNB. Last December, 2008, a newly constructed Sunday School room and a Baptistry was provided by the Lord through the generous gifts of few members. Although the new Sunday School room needs painting and finishing of floors it is now being used to house the children's Sunday School class. They trust that in God’s time, He will provide the necessary funds for its painting and flooring needs. The new Baptistry was used for the first time last December 28 during the baptism of Sis. Ginalyn Julaton, a new Bible study attendee, now the 37th member of CBM Villasis. From an attendance of eight (8) people in the early years, Sunday attendance today ranges from 40 to 55 including children, teens and adults. At present, the mission church has 37 baptized members, three (3) of them are now the Sunday School teachers for children. Though young in the faith and in need of further training, they are now regularly teaching kids and conducting bible studies at nearby barangays. Indeed, much has been done in the CBC Mission Church in Villasis – several Bible studies are now being conducted by Pastor Louie and a discipleship training every Friday evening is also held. But much remains to be accomplished. By God’s grace, a new outreach was started last October, 2007, at the town of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan. The first visit at Sto. Tomas was to search for a professing believer who was a recipient of a Gospel tract distributed at Villasis. Instead of finding her, God led them to few individuals who listened to the Gospel. At present, Bible Study is being conducted every Saturday morning and is being attended by 20 to 33 children, few teens and four to six adults. Three of the young believers were baptized last September, 2008. Glory to God!! Another door for Gospel proclamation was opened by God to minister to the inmates of Urdaneta City Jail. Around forty inmates together with the chief Officer of the said jail attended the Gospel proclamation last December 16, 2008. Indeed, there is hope in Christ even for those in jails for “He came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Let’s continue to pray for the spiritual growth of the brethren there that they may do the work of the ministry out of love and gratitude for the Lord God who saved them. Pray also for the spiritual power and physical strength of Pastor Louie and Sis. Rose that they may be able through the Spirit to minister effectively. As God expands His work there, let us ask God for more able and willing co-labourers. |
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