Project G-CCOTE

On This Site We’ll Rise!

After two years of planning, the most awaited construction of the church center has finally begun.

To formally start the construction, a Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on March 24, 2009 led by Bishop Luis R. Santos, Head Pastor of the church, and was witnessed by Ambassadors for Christ who helped financially support the project. A prayer was offered to bless the church construction and to ensure the safety of the workers. Bishop Luis R. Santos was so overwhelmed as he said: “This is such a great accomplishment. I believe that this will allow the church workers, members and extension churches to benefit from an enhanced church center. The church will surely have better means now to spread the Gospel throughout the world.”

“The construction started last March 28 this year to be exact,” said Pastor Boy Navarro who is the main contractor of the church center. He wholeheartedly exerted effort and dedicated his time to oversee the construction. “This responsibility is just a privilege that God has given me. I am delighted to become a part of this huge process.” According to Pastor Boy, the remaining tasks are painting, tiling and installation of electrical and plumb lines. So far, no cause of delay has been mentioned except for some heavy rains.

The two-level center will include a baptistry area, a multi-purpose hall and three function rooms that will accommodate church functions such as prayer assemblies, meetings, worship team rehearsal, contemporary dances, theater plays and workshops. It will also include an improved and spacious office for the church administration to strongly support every detail of the operations. Sis. Leslie Santos, the church administrator and ID04 worship leader said, “Now that the construction is nearing its completion, I feel extremely excited because finally, we will have function rooms where all practices of different teams will be held in preparation for the concert. We used to rent different venues every year for rehearsals due to area limitation in the old mission house, but now we are assured that in 2 months time, we are out of this predicament.”

The center will also have rooms to accommodate the full-time church personnel. And of course, everybody is excited to hang out at the St. Louis Park Café & Restaurant situated at the roof deck where anyone can chill while spending time with friends.

“I feel privileged to be used by the Lord Almighty in spearheading this particular project – our church centre,” Sis. Leslie added. “I am so thankful to all the wonderful people who supported Project GCCOTE and likewise grateful to those who still support this endeavor to the very end. Our gracious God, the Rewarder of good deeds, acknowledges our ministry of financial support whether big or small. He has appointed that “pay back” time to recompense our noble works. Rest assured that Philippians 4:19 — ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus’, stands true and firm in our lives.”

To Bishop Luis R. Santos, the appreciation to all church workers, members and extension churches that supported this project comes as “a proof that we can unite together and achieve this dream despite the economic crisis the country is facing”.

The construction of the church center is expected to be finished this coming October. There may be a significant change in the façade of the center but its purpose and mission will remain the same.

Demolition of the old Mission House.

Left: Groundbreaking Ceremony held on March 24, 2009 at 10:30 am in Calamba St. where a prayer was led by Bishop Luis R. Santos to formally commence the construction.

Middle: Bishop Luis R. Santos and Pastora Norma with family, Elders, Ambassadors for Christ and other church members signed up as witnesses of the ceremony.

Right: Bishop Luis R. Santos and Pastora Norma (right) with Pastor Boy Navarro (left) implanting the capsule underground. The capsule contains the church center floor plan signed by the witnesses.

Photos of the church center’s construction which officially started on March 28, 2009. Taken last May, 2009.

The church center, at its fourth month of construction. “It is 80% completed” according to Pastor Boy.

Ground floor: (left) Multi-purpose Hall, formerly the Gilgal, (right) function rooms.

Second Floor: church office where all transactions will soon take place.

The Roof Deck: soon to be St. Louis Park Café and Restaurant.

The construction of the church center is still on-going; your donations for PROJECT G-CCOTE are most welcome. For inquiries, please send email to: project-gccote@jc-tgbtg.com.