“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! This same Word sparked the birth of a new church in Apalan, Loacan, Itogon, Benguet: The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church.
By God's grace, the ministry of Pastor Hubert Caroy began anew when he returned to preaching in 2009. Initially, he provided pulpit supply for churches in various locations like Cabuyao, Camp 6, Burgos, and Daclan.
During a trip from Daclan in July 2010, Pastor Caroy met Mrs. Remy Diaz, a former member of Guisset Baptist Church. She shared her experience of attending various churches after Guisset Baptist Church disbanded. After hearing of their situation, a burden was placed on Pastor Caroy and his wife to start Bible studies in Sitio Apalan. With much prayer and God's guidance, Pastor Caroy's Sundays became free, except for once-a-month engagements in Camp 6 and Daclan, allowing him to start Bible studies in Apalan. Pastor Pat and Mrs. Rebecca Eslao soon joined, assisting with the children's ministry, while the late Mrs. Beth Mat-an supported the ministry by covering transportation costs.
On one of their journeys back from Apalan, they met Mrs. Juliet Apidos in Beckel. She and her family, who were attending a Bible Baptist church at that time, desired to join Pastor Caroy’s Bible studies in Apalan, as they were former members of Guisset Baptist Church. Faced with a conflict between their desire to join Pastor Caroy and their responsibilities at their current church, they split their attendance between the two. Some family members soon experienced a clear conviction of the gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Eventually, the entire Apidos family joined the Apalan fellowship.
In 2011, Pastor Caroy’s son, Roldan, joined the ministry, focusing on the youth, while Ms. Janice Galong, a distant relative of Ptr. Caroy, was asked to join the Apalan ministry to focus on the children.
In January 2011, Mrs. Vicky Macay and her son, Moren, relatives of Pastor Caroy, visited the ministry. To their surprise, a group of young people from Guisset, friends of Moren and members of the Delmas family, visited Apalan as well. They requested that services also be held in Guisset, leading to alternating Sunday services between Apalan and Guisset.
In April 2011, Loakan Baptist Church officially commissioned Pastor Caroy as a missionary for Benguet Province, adopting Apalan-Guisset and Daclan as mission points.
As more believers came to Christ, Pastor Caroy taught the Church Covenant and bylaws to guide the group toward becoming a self-sustaining and independent body of Christ.
God’s Word continued to spread, and as the congregation grew, so did the outreach ministry. Mrs. Remy Diaz of Apalan and Mrs. Rowena Binaldo of Daclan wanted to share the gospel with their relatives in Sitio Cobabeng. Pastor Caroy seized the opportunity to visit Cobabeng during his monthly Daclan schedule, bringing members of the Apalan group to share God’s Word. Despite challenges, they persevered in proclaiming Christ's message, even to the elderly in Cobabeng.
By September 2011, the group elected officers and appointed temporary deacons: Mr. Rene Apidos, Mr. Bernal Delmas, and Mr. Moren Macay. Prayer meetings were held every Wednesday at the Apidos family home in Beckel, which opened the door for a new Bible study in Gumatdang, Itogon, where some of Moren Macay’s relatives lived. The church also began observing the Lord's Supper monthly starting in December 2011. By May 2012, they officially adopted the name "The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church" and celebrated their first anniversary on September 1, 2012.
In 2013, the group prayed for a permanent chapel. Apalan, Guisset, and Sitio Camisong were considered as potential sites. After much prayer, Apalan was chosen, as it had already received electricity and a temporary chapel had been built there. The initial structure, made of sticks and GI sheets, was later replaced by a permanent building, which was dedicated in April 2017.
Through tireless efforts, Bible studies and visitations extended to nearby areas like Bingo, Boneco, Camisong, Peday, Beckel, and beyond. The church experienced many challenges, including the loss of beloved members, others moving abroad or leaving due to work. Some struggled with disagreements, leading to members leaving the group. Despite these difficulties, God brought new people to join the ministry. Relationships that were strained began to heal, and though not everyone returned, the church remained in good standing with many. Throughout the farewells, losses, and misunderstandings, the church held firm, trusting in God's sovereignty and control.
All these events unfolded by God's leading, as He used Pastor Caroy and others with willing hearts to labor in His harvest. Loakan Baptist Church, through the faithful support of its members, was instrumental in assisting the ministry. Other volunteers, like Bro. Ricky Patty from Minac, were also helpful, especially during outreach efforts to Gumatdang and Cobabeng. There were many individuals, too numerous to name, who contributed to the ministry by providing transportation, resources, time, and prayers.
In 2023, God blessed The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church with a new pastor, Jerome Compalas, who continues to lead the church in growing in the knowledge and grace of Jesus Christ.
The history of The Living Word Fundamental Baptist Church is a testament to God's faithfulness and the selfless service of many individuals. To God be the glory for the journey of this church and its ongoing mission to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Living Word.
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