By the grace and mercies of God, Gethsemane B-P Church, Cebu, was established in July 2004. Since its inception, the LORD has blessed the church in many ways. From holding the worship services initially in a hotel function room with slightly over 50 people in attendance, the Lord had subsequently led us to a rented apartment building in 2005 that could house the church and all its ministries.
Gethsemane B-P Church Cebu is pastored by Rev. Reggor Galarpe. Rev. Reggor studied in Far Eastern Bible College from 2000–2003. Rev. Reggor also provides pastoral oversight to the other mission stations in the Philippines.
To stay updated with the happenings of the church, follow their Facebook page here.
In 2009, the Lord opened a door for us to start The Gethsemane Care Ministry (TGCM), Cebu: a special Gospel outreach to drug addicts. Much like TGCM, Singapore, TGCM (Cebu), is of the conviction that the transformation of a person could never be possible apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. We thus deem it a necessity to preach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hence, the Word of God is the sole basis for all counselling in the ministry. In order that the residents may be exposed to the Word of God, we encourage them to participate in the following: TGCM’s daily morning devotion hour, church’s fellowship meetings, prayer meetings and worship service, and GBI’s night classes. It is our hope and prayer that each of the residents will make the Word of God his sole rule of faith and practice.
The Gethsemane Bible Institute (GBI) in Cebu was established and formal theological classes began on June 13, 2011. Situated at the heart of Cebu City, the Philippines, GBI operates on the premises of Gethsemane B-P Church, with the main classroom cum mini library being housed on the second level of the building. This setting provides our students with a conducive as well as a practical environment for theological studies in the context of the church ministry.
This ministry was borne out of a deep burden to train faithful men to be equipped to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, in line with the Pauline instruction in 2 Timothy 2:2—“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
The Gethsemane B-P Mission Church in Bohol, Tagbilaran, was started in July 2006. The island of Bohol is a two-hour speed boat ride away from Cebu City. A stronghold of Roman Catholicism, the work faces many setbacks from the people on the island.
Many are afraid of the persecution and humiliation of their Roman Catholic neighbours. Some who expressed faith and even been baptised have similarly left the church for fear of persecution. But we thank the LORD for those faithful members who continue to attend our service. May the LORD continually increase their faith in Him.
The work in Bohol also includes a children's ministry in Anda Province. Located 110km away from Tagbilaran City, bible studies are held there every Saturday.
The work in Bohol is led by Pr Edsel Locot, a graduate of FEBC.
The Gethsemane B-P Mission Church in Bogo was started in July 2008 by our late missionary, Pr Dominino dela Cruz. Located in the city centre of Bogo, the church in Bogo is a small congregation. Much like many other mission stations in the Philippines, the church members also face much persecution from the Roman Catholic neighbours. But we thank the LORD for those who remain faithful and continually worship with us.
Five months after the birth of the church in Bogo, the Lord led Pr Dominino to start a children’s outreach in San Antonio, which is 10 kilometres away from Bogo. In August 2009, Gethsemane Children’s Outreach in San Antonio officially became Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Mission Church, San Antonio. In May 2012, Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Mission Church, San Antonio, started a new children’s outreach in Libjo.
In July 2013, the LORD called Pr Dominino home to be in His presence. But we thank the LORD that the work still continues on in these stations. The work in Bogo and San Antonio is now led by Elder Eliezer Ortega.
The outreach in Pangasinan province began in February 2014, with the Mission Church being officially inaugurated in June 2014 in Dagupan City. The roots of the mission work in Pangasinan can be traced to 2002. In 2002, a couple of ladies from Pangasinan, who were working in Singapore, were invited to our Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship by Rev. Reggor Galarpe (then still a student in FEBC) and his team of brethren doing street evangelism. A sister who was saved through this outreach began to pray for a Gospel door to be opened in her hometown.
In 2008, preachers from Gethsemane BPC Singapore made their first mission trip to Pangasinan. In the same year, the Lord started working in the heart of Bro. Donald dela Cruz, and gave him a deep conviction and burden to enter the preaching ministry. After finishing his training in FEBC and pastoral training with Pastor Koshy, Pr Donald went to Pangasinan to start the work there.
Pr Donald dela Cruz works fervently in the Pangasinan province, reaching out to peoples in smaller districts such as Binloc, Binday, Tebag, San Fernando, and Macayug. The ministry is currently in the midst of shifting to Macayug.