Reaching the “Promised Land”: The Cornerstone San Isidro Experience

Hello brothers and sisters around the globe! We would like to share the series of events that the Lord is doing here at Cornerstone Church of San Isidro, Isabela right our very eyes. Here is a brief history of God’s faithfulness to us…

• March 2006 – Ptr. Jose Adonis V. Manango and wife Mariebel joined the Cornerstone Santiago Team in attending the 4th Zion Asia-Pacific Conference held at Singapore

• April 2006 – Ptr. Adonis with the whole congregation was officially affiliated to the Cornerstone Church.

May 2006 – Cornerstone Pastors began supporting us as an “adopted church”. They were invited to preach and give orientation on the vision, mission and programs of Cornerstone Church such as the feeding program and powerhouse kids

• August 2006 – An old commercial center was rented and served as the Cornerstone Church San Isidro Office. The office also became a center where we hold youth fellowships, meetings and cell groups



• December 28, 2006 – the first CCSI Christmas celebration was held at the office. Triple treat: Christmas program, Ptr. Adonis and Sis. Mariebel’s wedding anniversary and Ptr. Alexander Ritua’s birthday! Ptr. Winston Bao-in graced the occasion and prayed for the celebrants and the congregation



• February 2007 – “Bileg ‘ti Ayat Mo” was conducted. This was a love month celebration where praise and worship, special numbers like comedy skits, songs and dramas were showcased. The evangelistic activity highlighted with Ptr. Mark Ritchie’s powerful message on God’s love.
  
  
  

“In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.” (Exodus 15:13)

• June 2007 – the modest church building was dismantled because the lot owner accused us of not supporting his son to win in the 2007 elections. In the last week of this month, the CCSI congregation vanished and left the place.

• July 2007 – “The Exodus” began. The CCSI joined the Cornerstone Santiago Main in their morning Sunday services at VMG Building.

• July 29, 2007 – CCSI began holding its Sunday services from 2-5pm at Ala Moana Building, Villasis, Santiago City

• November 18, 2007 – the Church leadership headed by Pastors Adonis, Rey, Alex and Freddie with Bro. Jack, a church elder, lead the congregation in going back to San Isidro, Isabela. The congregation found a place of worship at the Gomez Community Center, Gomez, San Isidro, Isabela

• February 10, 2008 – CCSI again transferred to the San Isidro East Central School (SIECS) Amphitheatre, Gomez, San Isidro because of some complaints of other sects who were not able to be accommodated in the Community Centre.

• March – December 2008 – CCSI continued holding its Sunday Services at SIECS Amphitheatre. We were visited by Cornerstone Pastors and foreign ministers who inspired us with their walks with the Lord. Before the year ended, CCSI was able to acquire a 300 square meter lot with a land title.

• December 21, 2008 – 2nd CCSI Christmas Service. Ptr. Mark Ritchie and Ptr. Matthew Kerr made a surprise visit. Ptr. Mark encouraged the congregation to be patient while CCSI is experiencing the Exodus stage. There is an assurance that CCSI will reach the promise land, i.e. to own a church building in 2009!
  

• January 2009 – Daily dawn watch lead by Ptr. Adonis with Bro. Rony Buena-Agua, Bro. Julius and Ptr. Merwyn Estabillo were conducted with a vision to put up a fellowship centre as an answer to the call of Ptr. Adonis’ neighbours at St. James, Batal, Santiago City. They wanted to join the Sunday service at San Isidro but the distance is their problem. Prayer meetings were also held at San Isidro.
  



• February 11, 2009 – Leaders’ weekly cell group with topics on the Holy Spirit was started with Ptr. Keith Pointon as the teacher.

• February 15, 2009 – the birth of the Cornerstone Family Fellowship Centre at St. James Subdivision, Batal, Santiago City.

• March 29, 2009 – CCSI launched the “Operation King Solomon 2009”, where the members promised to sow their seeds for the church building project. Willing and generous members were given envelopes with a pledge form and prayer in it. They were able to return the envelope with their financial pledges.



• April – August 2009 the daily dawn watch and prayer meetings continued. Expansion of the church to other places became a priority. CCSI were visited by foreign brothers and sisters. Guitar Aid gave a beautiful and state-of-the-art guitar. What a blessing!
  

• June 1, 2009 – Ptr. Adonis and Ptr. Merwyn made an ocular visit to Sta. Monica, Echague where they say a vacant house for sale/rent. Immediately, through the conviction of the Holy Spirit , a ministry will be established in the place. They signified their intention to rent the house without any contract yet but by faith.



• July 17, 2009 – after six weeks of preparation, a Friday service was started on the newly established Cornestone Family Fellowship Center at Sta. Monica, Echague, Isabela.

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you and I will

give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

• August 2009 – the CCSI congregation received news that they are now going to transfer in the new church building. All went to the place and prepared it for the first Sunday Service. All of us felt the excitement as we experienced the loving-kindness of our Lord.
  

• September 20, 2009 – A Day of Thanksgiving! A week after the Cornerstone 5th Anniversary, CCSI began holding its Sunday Services at the newly acquired building.

• September 27, 2009 – launching and Dedication of the San Isidro Cornerstone Family Fellowship Center at Gomez, San Isidro, Isabela with Ptr. Mark Ritchie as the speaker. He encouraged the congregation with his message focused on the Israelites’ Exodus and how they were able to reach their promised land. He realized that he mentioned that CCSI will reach its promised land in 2009!

NEED WE ASK FOR MORE? YES! In spite of the trials, challenges, ups and downs and obstacles we encountered along the way, we have known that triumphs and victories were already in store for us. We would like to see that in the coming days, people will come to the center and experience the greatest miracle of all – SALVATION. We would like to see how God will do greater things unfolding right before our eyes in ways we cannot fathom and imagine. Finally, we would like to see changed lives that are willing to create impacts in our desperate people and places.


AN UPDATE

Last November 29, 2009, CCSI was so blessed for having been visited by our foreign brothers and sister – Roberto, Benjamino and Fay from Italy. Bro. Roberto rendered two inspirational Italian songs about loving God. Sis. Fay gave words of encouragement centered on Godly living and service to the Lord.

On that same day, the owner of the lot and building, Atty. Jose Ramos, a retired RTC Judge is our speaker. He spoke about giving/tithing, stewardship and obedience inspired by Malachi 3:6-12. He challenged the congregation to be obedient and faithful in giving our tithes and in sharing our time, talent and treasures for the furtherance of God’s kingdom on earth. We were blessed as he shared his experiences in giving his tithes (based on gross income) and how he was blessed by the Lord. Now, he is giving as much as 30%! He also made a pronouncement that as he reached his age of 75 years, he is going to facilitate the Deed of Donation papers (for the lot and building) for the Cornerstone Church of San Isidro, Isabela. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! HALLELUJAH!

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who
promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Posted by: Ptr. Alexander F. Ritua