THE LIVING WORD FUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God,” this so states by the Word of God in the beginning of time; The Word, the Living Word that is Jesus Christ! The same caused the beginning of His church in the Apalan-Guisset, Loakan Itogon, Benguet.

Because of God’s Word and by God’s grace, Ptr. Hubert Caroy’s return in the ministry sparked a new journey, a journey to continue the work of preaching the gospel of Christ. Year 2009, Ptr. Caroy started preaching to churches as pulpit supply for churches without a pastor. He preached recently in places like Cabuyao, Camp 6, Burgos, Daclan and other places where he was invited and scheduled. Year 2010 of July while coming back from Daclan, he met Mrs. Remy Diaz, previous member of the Guisset Baptist Church, and asked her where she came from. And she said that she joined a service in a Born Again group since it was Sunday. She also stated that they were hopping from church to church near them regardless of the church denomination, a reason caused by the demobilization of Guisset Baptist Church. Having heard of their circumstance, a burden was given to Ptr. Caroy along with his wife to start bible studies in their place called Apalan. With much prayer and God’s leading, Ptr. Caroy was free of other schedule except for his speaking engagement in Camp 6 and Daclan once every month.

By August, Ptr. Hubert Caroy with his wife started the bible studies in Apalan every Sunday, near Guisset area. Since there were also a few children in the place of Apalan, Ptr. Pat and Mrs. Rebecca Eslao joined to help out as Mrs. Eslao handled the children. Mrs. Beth Mat-an came along too as she helped esp. on finances for the gas and transportation. As they continued to have the bible study and coming back from Apalan, passing along Beckel, they also met Mrs. Juliet Apidos, whose family was previous members of Guisset Baptist Church and was at that moment joining a Bible Baptist church whose services were being held at their house. With their desire to also join Ptr. Caroy with his bible studies in Apalan, their family members took turns. Some of them had to stay while others accompanied Ptr. Caroy. As the Apidos Family members continue to join Ptr. Caroy and hear the gospel preached, some of them were given a clear understanding of the gospel of Christ and was then convicted by the Holy Spirit to truly receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. As time goes by and circumstances changed, soon the whole family joined Ptr. Caroy in Apalan. Some old faces known to Ptr. Caroy joined in as well in their Bible Study.

With the ministry growing Ptr. Caroy wanted his children to join in, so he asked his children to help with the ministry in Apalan. Then his son Roldan responded to the call to help in the ministry and committed to start year 2011. His son tried to handle the kids at first, but proved to be hard-up on teaching kids. Therefore, Roldan looked for persons to help with the children’s ministry. Ms. Janice Galong then responded to help in the ministry, therefore allowing Roldan to minister to the young people.
One Sunday of January 2011, Mrs. Vicky Macay and her son Moren, relatives of Ptr. Hubert Caroy from Loakan went along as well to see the ministry. And on that Sunday, suddenly, many young people came to visit and had Bible study and fellowship in Apalan. They introduced themselves as the children of the Delmas’ families coming from Guisset and are also acquainted with Moren Macay. They soon requested to have services as well in Guisset which then made to an agreement to hold services alternately in Apalan and Guisset every Sunday. With new professions of faith in Christ Jesus and as picture of one identifying oneself as a follower of Christ, 20 individuals followed Jesus Christ through water baptism last February 27, 2011.

As the ministry grew, along with trainings and children’s ministry, more challenges came as well as the enemy’s strategies to disturb and distract the advancement of the ministry. But with prayer and God’s unfailing grace, God’s work continues to move forward. By April 2011, Ptr. Hubert Caroy was then absorbed and commissioned by Loakan Baptist Church as a Missionary Pastor for the province of Benguet and to wherever God leads; therefore accepting Apalan-Guisset as their mission point. A second batch of believers with 8 individuals followed Jesus Christ through baptism of water last October 22, 2011.

With new believers in Christ, Ptr. Caroy and his family are now tasked to help the group grow more spiritually, discipled, organized and established as the body of Christ in the locality. Therefore Ptr. Caroy started to teach the Church Covenant and the Church’s bylaws and constitution, which will help the group understand more of God’s principles and the church’s roles and responsibilities. As God’s Word is preached, challenging the believers in Christ to also take part on the Great Commission, Mrs. Remy Diaz from Apalan along with Mrs. Rowena Binaldo from Daclan were given also the desire to reach their relatives in the place called Cubabeng. Since Ptr. Caroy still had a schedule for Daclan once a month, he thought of hitting two birds with one stone, therefore, committing to go there along with some members of the newly formed group to share the gospel of Christ whenever assigned to go to Daclan. But due to circumstances, it wasn’t easy; nevertheless, every opportunity given was taken in order to proclaim the gospel of Christ to them that has ears to hear, even if the hearers were mostly old.

By September 2011, the group elected their officers as a fellowship whereas, Ptr. Caroy temporarily appointed Mr. Rene Apidos, Mr. Bernal Delmas, and Mr. Moren Macay as Deacons for the group. To ask God’s power and continues leading, Ptr. Caroy also decided to hold Prayer Meetings every Wednesday at Beckel, where the Apidos family resides. Lord Supper was also observed once every month as agreed by the fellowship starting Dec. 4, 2011. And, the name “The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church” soon was decided as a name for the group last May 2012.

These ministries continued on and God continues to lead new individuals and open places like Cubabeng, Beckel and Gumatdang for the hearing of the gospel of Christ. Some individuals came in and some went out but with hope that the seed of the gospel of Christ was planted in their hearts and they be continue to be a blessing wherever they may be.

All these things happened, surely not by chance but by God’s own leading as He used not only Ptr. Caroy to labor in His harvest field but also those with a willing heart to serve the Master and Lord of the harvest. To name a few of these, are Bro. Daniel Raymundo, Bro. Gino Cabangdi and Bro. Rey Pitas, who greatly rendered much in transportation and other means of services. And, for those others, too many to name, that has given their time, effort, funds and prayers; The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church is surely eternally grateful. Thus, their labor is not in vain in the Lord.

And for all these things, let all glory be to God Almighty and to His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, for the day of September 1, 2012, marks another episode and experience of His Faithfulness as it has been joyfully celebrated God giving us the Victory in Christ Jesus!