“Imagine,” whispers the wind rustling through the trees nearby, “the stories these walls could tell.” We are standing before the Manila First Free Methodist Church. It is a beacon of faith in Metro Manila. This church has a rich history. It all started with a fire.
Let me set the scene. A fire broke out in a tightly packed neighborhood. The fire brigade managed to stop the fire. But an ember lodged in the rafters of a nearby bakery. The bakery was destroyed. Two doors away, the Kamuning Free Methodist Church residents were rousted out of their sleep.
This incident ignited a spark to rebuild the church. It was an important anchor church in Manila. The Kamuning Free Methodist Church was founded in 1976. It was the first Free Methodist congregation in Manila. The church expanded into the northern Philippines.
Besides starting many daughter churches, this building has housed the John Wesley Theological Institute. This institute is for pastoral training. It has also served as the conference office for the Northern Philippine Conference. It is also the center for an ICCM project. This project serves underprivileged children from the nearby wet market.
While the congregation thrives, the building had deteriorated. It was a converted house. It was inadequate for expanded ministries. The building did not meet earthquake codes. This is important in the Philippines. It is on the Ring of Fire.
The dream was to rebuild from the ground up. But construction costs in Manila were high. Initial fundraising efforts made only a small dent in the price tag. The building was unsafe. What could be done?
The church is working with FMWM. FMWM is trying to match every peso the church raises with a dollar. For every peso the church raises, it also raises another peso for a “pay it forward” account. This account will fund future church property projects elsewhere in the Philippines.
The “pay it forward” account has already helped purchase property for its newest daughter church. This project showcases interdependency in action.
The Philippines FMC became a full general conference in 2003. It now has ten annual conferences. It also has an urban missions district movement. It is called Oceans of Life Ministries. There is also a church-in-formation among a tribal group. Established churches support new congregations. Leaders are trained at Light and Life Bible College and John Wesley Bible Institute.
The Philippine FMC has become an integral missions-sending church. The church has missionaries in Creative Access Asia, Cambodia, Australia, and among tribal groups in the Philippines.
The Manila First Free Methodist Church stands as a testament. It shows the resilience and dedication of its community. It embodies the spirit of collaboration and faith. It is a beacon of hope for generations to come. Its story continues to inspire. It reminds us of the power of collective action. It shows the unwavering commitment to serving God and humanity.