Hear the story of Jubilee Evangelical Church. It began as a small gospel center. This center served the growing Chinese community in Quiapo Manila. This was in the late 1950s.
The church faced many challenges. It was finally inaugurated in 1963 in San Miguel Manila. It was christened Jubilee. This commemorated the Silver Jubilee anniversary of the evangelistic band that started it all.
Four years later the church grew. It established a school. This school later became Jubilee Christian Academy.
The early days were difficult. Martial law brought special hardship. Through fervent prayers the church persevered. In 1982 Jubilee found its present site. It is located in New Manila Quezon City.
Each week people gather. They come from both inside and outside the New Manila community. They unite as one Jubilee family. The church’s mission remains. It seeks to win people to Christ.
The story of Jubilee Evangelical Church starts earlier. In 1952 the Evangelistic Band offered summer activities. These were for children in Quiapo. They rented space at Tiong Se School. Many children found salvation through these activities.
Quiapo Gospel Center was founded. This happened on July 20 1952. The Evangelistic Band saw an opportunity. They could expand their evangelism. They could share the gospel. This would be with the Chinese community in Quiapo.
The band found a small property. It was located at 155 Echague Street. This is now Carlos Palanca. The church finally had a home.
God sent faithful leaders to the Quiapo Gospel Center. Rev. Tio Kun Ying held evangelistic meetings. Rev. Raymond Frame preached for three years. Pastor Hong Hun also undertook various works.
In January 1962 Quiapo Gospel Center installed its first trustees. They helped the church grow to nearly one hundred members.
A decade after its founding the church was ready. It would become an independent church. The UECP Church Board initially resisted. They believed independent churches should be outside Manila.
The UECP Church Board approved the establishment. Quiapo Gospel Center became independent. The church was inaugurated as Jubilee Evangelical Church.
Shortly after its inauguration Jubilee elected its trustees as deacons. As an independent church Jubilee lacked UECP support. Ministers and Christian workers helped expand Jubilee’s congregation.
In July 1963 Jubilee found Rev. Moses Keng. He was a young pastor. He had just graduated from seminary. He became Jubilee’s first Senior Pastor. He served for over seventeen years.
The budding Jubilee struggled financially. Rev. Moses Keng taught at Hope Christian High School. This supplemented his income.
In 1964 Jubilee relocated. The owner of the J.P. Laurel Street property terminated the lease. Jubilee found a parcel of land in Matienza San Miguel. It was owned by the Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation.
In the mid-1960s Co Gan Giok Eng sought to expand Jubilee’s ministry. She pushed for a Christian school. This became Jubilee Christian Elementary School in 1967.
In 1977 Rev. Moses Keng proposed moving to New Manila. It lacked a Christian church. The Board eventually agreed.
In 1980 construction of the Jubilee Church Sanctuary began. It was completed in 1982.
Pasig Jubilee Gospel Center was Jubilee’s first daughter church. It was inaugurated in 1988. Marikina Jubilee Gospel Center is the second daughter church. It started in 1991.
Jubilee Evangelical Church continues to thrive. It stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community.