Our History

Various activities served as the heartbeat of this work, young as it was, it held Evangelistic Meetings in the unfinished house that the mission work temporarily rents.

“…It is not good that the man should be alone…” as Gen.2:18 connotes, God allowed the ambassador of this mission, Pastor Efren Padua, to wife Ms. Adora Cruz Lopez, a pure Marikeñan, that was on January 1, 1979.

In March of 1979, the mission work has to vacate the rented mission house, since its owner needed the space; the worship service has to transfer to a garage nearby where the attendees had to experience heat and dust during sunny days and some rainshowers whenever it pours. Such conditions strengthen the faith of the members with a cohesive vision that the blessing of the Lord awaits them according on their faith.

Through it all, God has been faithful, the physical condition of the church abode may have been uncomfortable, but the growth in number and strengthening of the spirit attests that God is with it. The church meant to renovate the garage into a cabin for a more presentable worship place.

In October of 1980, the Moriah Baptist Bible Mission was organized by the grace of GOD to MORIAH BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH, with 27 charter members. This was the year of a number of Overnight Prayer Meetings as well as Prayer & Fasting Assembly with the increasing intensity to have a lot and building as property claiming the LORD’s promises in Jeremiah 33:3 and Philippians 4:19. As the church membership grows, through home Bible Studies, Goodnews classes, house to house visitations, and church regular services, the great outpouring of prayers for the pastor and his family is the involvement of the members holding onto its promises in First Corinthians chapter 15, verse 58 “… in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.”

“Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3 Once more, God proved this promise true. In October of this year, He sent a joyful answer to the petition for a lot! He gave the property in Sta. Teresita Village, Marikina, Metro Manila. God answers in ways we least expect, He moved the heart of an American missionary, Rev. Joe Vella, who is now with the LORD, and his supportive wife, Margarette Vella, to offer loan to Moriah BBC to be able to construct the envisioned church building.

The walling of the property was finished in preparation for the building construction not many weeks hence. The provision of the Lord is overwhelming for the people of the Moriah BBC; every blessing thrills every constituent of the work, and encourages every individual to toil further to prove themselves to the LORD JESUS CHRIST. [Oh, it’s overwhelming to look back at that period of our history when the church has had a handful membership, and every knee is sincerely bent in prayers, night and day regardless of circumstances (sleepless nights during Overnight Prayer Meetings & empty stomachs during Prayer and Fasting Assembly) , supplicating for GOD’s provision, with nothing in their hands but FAITH].

The first anniversary as a church in October 1981 was celebrated simply, nevertheless, with high spirits in deepest gratitude for the provision of the lot.

The grassy, swampy corner lot of Catherine Street and Fatima Drive was soon cleared and filled to be put to use. Immediately, the men of Moriah BBC gave their time and vigor to finish the exciting project God assigned to them. Excited as they are to use the wide space for activities, a huge tent was set to accommodate people for an Evangelistic Meeting as its initial activity.

The LORD impressed to the heart of Sis. Dory Padua to uphold the role of the women in church, particularly the married ones, thus, on the first Friday of January 1982, she conducted fellowship with them, and is sustained every first Friday of every month, because of God’s faithfulness, up to this time, come high or low, rain or shine, the fellowship will push through.

The second church anniversary was emphasized on mission, encouraging the church to support missionaries in different parts of the country. In December of the same year, Firstfruits and Thanksgiving Offering was practiced as a church.

“So Send I You” was the theme of the second Missions Conference held in April of this year.

As Pastor and Mrs. Efren Padua believe on the people’s strength as a team, especially in a family, they set every first day of the month of May as Family Day to build up each member, encourage group participation, usually spent as recreation for relaxation and bonding with one another.

It was also in the summer of 1983, May 29-June 4, when the church ministered to children of both saved and unsaved parents through the first Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) sponsored by Moriah BBC. DVBS is a school-type meeting held for a week; students are grouped according to their age levels, and a couple or more teachers work together to edify them. Graduation is the finalé of DVBS, children who have attended for at least 3 days are given Certificates and those whose performance outstood during the week are recognized and awarded.

The 3rd Church Anniversary was held at the same cabin in Sampaguita Village. On November 6, 1983, the first Sunday Morning worship Service was held under the tent (from the Rawling’s ministry through Pastor Vella) on our own property located at Sta Teresita Village. Sunday after Sunday, Pastor encouraged the people of the LORD to give their tithes and offering for the glory of GOD, this includes sacrificial givings, Firstfruits offering as well as self-involvement, anything they could offer the LORD for thanksgiving. Everybody who gave their best to the LORD in HIS name was so blessed.

The first Sunday Worship Service was held in the bare lot, dressed only by a huge tent and few benches and karaoke for sound system. After two months, the building construction started.

Pastor Padua, himself, with Pastor Vella, led and supervised the construction, maximizing every material and making every minute count observably excited for the outcome of the building. A minor accident caused 4 stitches on Pastor Padua’s forehead, nevertheless, the construction pushed through. After three months, April 1984, worship services were held on the first floor of the unfinished building.

The construction progressively continued, by July of this year, the wall for the second level was put up. The blessings of the LORD just pour from directions least expected. Through the collective faith and effort of the members, it’s amazing how God works and accomplishes His work.

The 4th Church Anniversary was celebrated on the first level building. Having the construction in mind, the theme became “Come, Let us Rise Up and Build.”

The project for Firstfruits and Thanksgiving Day, traditionally done in the last month of the year, was a piano; by God’s grace, the goal was met.

It was also in 1984 when God provided the 300 sq. m Tumana lot through the perseverance of Sis. Dory Padua with Sis. Mercy Manalang and Sis. Tessie Maglalang.

A children’s choir, named Sunbeam, was organized in 1985 by Ate Dory Padua with Sis. Veronica Sta. Ana as her assistant. The group practices and sings every other Sunday and during special service; they also guested in a radio program.

Rev. Primo Tabanda preached in the first revival meeting held week long in February of that year. A week after, the first Soul Winning Conference was held with Pastor Billy Legasi of Tuguegarao, Cagayan as the guest speaker.

June 9, 1985 was an exciting Sunday! For the first time, the Sunday Worship Service was held on the second level of the building. The Sunbeam prepared a musical presentation.

“First Give Yourself” was the theme of the 5th Church anniversary. The year’s Firstfruits and Thanksgiving Day’s goal was a vehicle. A dependable second hand Harabas was acquired! The said vehicle had been used in years in the ministry, fetching visitors to be able to attend services, to visitations and Bible Studies in distant places as well. The Harabas was also taken to provinces for ministerial purposes. Bro. Eddie Benitez, now the pastor of Moriah BBC, in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, was the in-charge of this ministry.

The Lord gave the church an opportunity to widen the scope of its mission field. The church sponsored a radio program, with the theme JESUS the HOPE. Pastor Padua preaches the Gospel over DZME as Sis. Dory comes along and assists him every Sunday dawn.

On July 25, 1986, the church witnessed the symbolic laying of the cornerstone was done in the presence of Dr. Joseph Boyd Lyons.

“I have a Commitment to be Revived” was the theme for the year 1987 to motivate and lead brothers and sisters of MBBC for further participation and involvement. The yearly activities were carried through, in addition to, a Teachers’ Workshop was conducted so as to upgrade the quality of Sunday School Teachers specifically in the Children’s Department.

The Lord is continuously blessing the work, the church grows both spiritually and in number, noticeably, as the left wing extension of the building was constructed in Sept 1987.

On its 7th anniversary, “The Turning Point” was its theme; referring to salvation as Evangelism was the subject of the preachings in services with relation to this activity. As the church was taught about honoring the man of GOD, the first Pastor’s Sunday was observed as the members come together to encourage the man of GOD who labors in the name of the LORD.

1988 was the YEAR of PREPARATION as 1989 had the YEAR of ACTION as its themes respectively. Faith, as always, was stretched as MORIAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY started with 26 enrollees, divided in 2 classes, 7 teachers with Ma’am Dory as the school in-charge and Rev. Padua as administrator.

February of 1990, Bro. Gerry Larosa, with his wife, went to Ilocos Sur to start Moriah Baptist Bible Mission. The work there is later turned over to Pastor Jose Haboc, and Pastor Gerry returned to Manila to be the assistant to Pastor Padua, later the extension work in Conception, Marikina City was entrusted to him.

CBPEF (Christian Businessmen and Professionals Evangelistic Fellowship) was organized in March 16, 1990, with the purpose of encouraging Christians to reach out fellow professionals/ businessmen to be part of God’s family and be actively involved in soul-winning and church activities. This put the year’s theme, YEAR of INVOLVEMENT, to life.

In mid of 1991, the country faced a drastic calamity when Mt. Pinatubo, a dormant volcano, erupted leaving our fellowmen as well as their possessions, not to mention their livelihood and the land around them devastated. The opportunity to share the Gospel to these people was seized. The church collected old clothes, medicine, canned goods and other basic necessities and took them to some evacuation centers in Pampanga, and shared the Gospel to the victims of the eruption. The church returned to Angeles City on December 16, this time, they were able to hold group Bible Studies and did Street Broadcasting.

On Dec. 11, 1991, Pastor Lito Valencia started the Moriah Baptist Bible Mission – Antipolo, now named Diadem Baptist Bible Church. This daughter church now has its own academy.

In 1992, the Film Showing Ministry became an active part of the church evangelism program. Film showings are done mostly outside the church building in different areas, a short message and an invitation is given afterwards for people’s response.

The third vehicle was acquired in 1993. More missions were supported by God’s grace, some of those were Pastor Jovencio Mejia, Pastor Job Presto and Pastor Rosendo Omison in Iloilo and Pastor Abanes.

Before 1993 ended, Rev. Efren Padua met an accident. As he was driving to a youth camp in Narvacan, Ilocos Norte to be its main speaker, with 4 others, including his eldest daughter. The car he was driving skid down a ravine injuring Pastor Padua the most, leaving wound on his face, scratches in different parts of the body, and his left leg in cast. Nevertheless, God is in control. God proved his faithfulness, provision, protection and everything to them!

Pastor Padua preached seated on a high chair, and then in crutches after a couple of months. Usual activities and ministries were carried on. Their faith grew deeper, and clasped closer to the Lord. In January of 1994, the right wing was walled and the dividing wall torn down leaving a wider auditorium.

For the 14th Church Anniversary, with the theme “The Answer,” a couple of services was carried out to accommodate the overwhelming commitment of visitors as members (especially teachers and professors) encouraged their students to attend to be able to hear the Gospel. Other members did their part, too. They invited relatives and friends, employers persuaded employees to come. Every member participated to meet the goal in attendance for the anniversary. They held on the Scripture which states that the Word of God will Not return to Him void.

The mission in Gapan, Nueva Ecija started in 1994. Pastor Eddie Benitez, a full-time church worker, along with his family, left to minister there. The Moriah Baptist Bible Church Gapan presently has a Daycare lead by Sis. Edna Benitez.

Moriah Baptist Bible Institute opened in 1995. MBBI has evening classes giving opportunity to Christians, both members and those from other churches, who want to learn more from the WORD but are occupied during daytime. The instructors of the Institute are pastors and Bible women; its alumni are being used by God to backup their pastor in church activities and ministries, especially in evangelism.

In November of 1996, Rev. Gerry Larosa, with his family, started the extension work in Tumana, Concepcion, Marikina, reaching out to people in that teeming area. At present, the construction of its second level is on-going as its members support the project financially and in prayers.

A brand new vehicle was acquired in 1997, the Tamaraw Fx. In June of 1999, the church raised funds to have the church (specifically the platform) renovated.

Another remarkable blessing from the Lord was bestowed to the church in 2000. The 254 sq. m. lot across the street was acquired. God answers in ways that we do not necessarily expect, and according to our faith…… as we were praying for the bigger and adjacent lot for enlargement of the school ministry, God gave the other property with the reason only God knows. Perhaps our collective faith correspond to this one. As Pastor Russel Stephens came for a week long visit, he committed to participate to pay a part of the lot from God.

“Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” nobody knew that the acquisition of the lot across the street in June of 2000 is just an appetizer for the bigger, adjacent lot of 596 sq. m. as it is acquired in July of 2001! God used a brother from another church to secure its tenure; at present, as has been prayed for, the building is being used for not just one, but two schools, the MORIAH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY AND THE MORIAH BAPTIST BIBLE INSTITUTE. What a mighty God we serve! He moves in inexplicable ways.

These blessings after another is overwhelming, making us recognize the superiority of God above everything, all the more. As our beloved pastor lead the church to act upon Philippians 4, we believe God is in control.

In July 26, 2004, the choir members had the opportunity to have a recording album entitled “Come, Christians, Join to Sing”

As political dilemmas arise, unsavory controversies crop up, even if economic situation would prolong, the church will remain firm on its foundation, THE WORD OF GOD. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6c

• What we believe