The History of Monicca Bible Center: Bread Turned to Bread of Life
August 16, 2007<column title>
P.A.L.S. to Christ
(People Active in Leading Souls)
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Written in Filipino by Elrey Nocido
Translated by Armon Perez Tolentino
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The History of Monicca Bible Center
Bread Turned to Bread of Life
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In January 2005, Monicca Nocido graduated from two schools where she studied making bread, cakes, and pastries. Because of this, the couple Ilrey and Herminia Nocido decided to build a bakery in front of their junk shop on Imelda Avenue in Cainta, Rizal. Perhaps, this was because they would be happy and excited to see what their youngest could do. Moreover, they must have wanted to be with their youngest in a little more time as she is the only unmarried among the four children.
Hence, in a short time, the former storage of steel was replaced by a structure typical of a bakeshop along the road. From here, the fulfillment of a wonderful plan became clearer. They started to put equipment in the store. However, as the day when it was supposed to be opened came nearer, the attention of all was directed to another thing.
One day, one of the brothers of Herminia, Juanito Cleofas, a literature evangelist and elder at Jala-Jala Adventist Church, noticed the new structure in front of the junkshop and learned that it would become a bakeshop. Some weeks passed and he went back with his wife and Pastor and Mrs. Anillo whose purpose was to talk about how the word of God could be proclaimed through the Voice of Prophecy (VOP) to more or less 40 employees of Ilrey and Herminia.
The abovementioned employees were residing inside the compound with their families so that the sharing of the VOP went on smoothly. The manuals were distributed. The subsequent visits of Pastor Anillo and the Cleofas couple to each of the houses opted for the decision of gathering them in one place to give them the chance to share their opinions, personal understandings, or questions about the VOP manuals that they were reading.
At this point, a place was needed where they could congregate and clarify the questions they had about their readings. Thus, the idea of borrowing the place intended for the bakeshop came in the picture.
Many unexpected things started to happen upon the beginning of the sessions. First, it was not expected that the response of the employees to the work started would be warm. Second, the number of attendees was beyond anticipation. Third, they came ready with their answers for questions and ready to ask their well-prepared questions to Pastor Anillo and the others in the panel. Some of them would even watch Dating Daan first so that they would be able to have questions and ideas for the following sessions. It was probably because they wanted to measure the ability of the panel or maybe to make sure that the panel could give them clearer answers. This completely tested the tolerance and fortitude of most of the session leaders.
During those times when the Nocido family was observing what happened to the sessions and Bible study, they were led before God little by little. Each night of the sessions became warm, until one suggested to hold Sabbath School and Divine Worship. Many were happy that day. Apart from the knowledge of many, the Nocido family started to attend church again after a long time. This signaled that Monicca Junkshop would never be opened on a Sabbath.
The meetings were going on, more and more people were being used by God for the good work started. Bro. Eslee Quizon, a layman from Tarlac, visited with his family. He saw the spiritual need of the established church. And so he immediately invited people to help in the new church like Bro. Romulo Gimeno, Bro. Joe Tablada, Bro. Rocky Santos, Sis. Rose Galang, Bro. Nestor Rone, and Bro. Leslie Gagatam from the Radio Ministry.
The people from the Radio Ministry Group experienced things like Pastor Anillo and his group did. However, just like the former, they showed real patience, strength, vigor and love for the work of the Lord, which was the exact experience of each one in the meetings. And just as expected by a faithful farmer, the time of reaping arrived for our Lord God.
On March 6, 2005, eight souls surrendered their lives and faith to God and these included Mrs. Herminia Nocido and Monicca Nocido who both got baptized. The ceremony was held at Jala-Jala through Pastor Anillo. And from that day, the newly baptized started to bring to the meetings their families and those who weren’t baptized during the first meetings.
There was change . . .
The chairs were not enough for the attendees. The place was not enough to accommodate the people who were attending. And so, for the first time, the walls were broken to widen the place for the meeting. Midweek, Vesper and Sabbath services became regular meetings. During these times, somebody suggested to put a sign indicating the schedule of worship services outside the junkshop. And that was followed by the coming of Adventists from far and near who saw the posted sign and heard the news about the Bible Center.
Because of this, some who were visiting or attending the services at Monicca Bible Center consecrated themselves in the work of serving and guiding the newly baptized members. Some of them were Sis. Ana Naag, Bro. Manny Sunga, Bro. Joseph Cleofas, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio and Emer Hernandez, and Marlin dela Fuente together with the Radio Ministry, other regular visitors from different churches in the Rizal District and people from Angono and Novaliches.
The succeeding meetings became livelier when Pastor Adolfo Valenzuela, brother-in-law of Ilrey Nocido, led in the Revival Meeting. And the walls of the building had to be tear down for the second time. Each night became happy and sentimental, still with the help of the Radio Ministry. And when the meeting on November 19, 2005 concluded, 17 souls were led to the foot of our Saving Lord. And at this time, my wife who was a devout Catholic was among those who accepted Christ as their personal Savior.
In continuing the started mission and after more or less three weeks, ten souls composed of the wives and children of those who were formerly baptized also accepted baptism on December 10, 2005.
To date, the Monicca Bible Center has expanded four times and its attendees continue to grow. And people from near and far places continue to express their desire to help and guide the Center so that through it more and more people would be led to our Lord.
God is indeed very kind. From the original plan of establishing a store of bread for physical nourishment, He used the place for the sharing of the Bread of Life.
We at Monicca Bible Center are happy that you graced our fellowship meeting to commemorate the anniversary of our church.
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