The Lagro United Methodist Church

THE LAGRO UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

In Fulfillment of the Great Commission:

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. -Colossians 3:17

LUMC's Humble Beginnings

The LUMC started in 1977 as a Bible Study group of John Mark UMC with 6 pioneering families -Aleta, Califores, De Jesus, Lucas, Rivera, Ramos, Salcedo and Vidal. A faithful servant of the Lord, Rev. Canete conducted Bible studies regularly in Lagro withstanding all kinds of weather, trekking rough roads amidst the tall cogon grasses. He conducted vesper service for the residents of Lagro with the support of the Administrative Council (AC) under the chair of Engr. Pedro Catanaoan. Loida Aguila, a student deaconess from Harris Memorial College, came to Lagro to take charge of the Sunday school class for children.

In 1978, the LUMC held an evangelistic crusade at the Lagro plaza, which the United Methodist Men (UMM) of the Knox UMC organized under the leadership of Atty. Florencio Castillo and Brigido Villaviza, incumbent and outgoing presidents of the Knox UMM. The crusade yielded to additional worshippers. Hence, the group had to move from the Rivera's residence to the Glameha Office.

In the early 80's, more families joined the group of believers. The increase in number required a bigger place for the worshippers. The Lord touched the heart of Prof. Paccell Eugenio who readily offered his unoccupied residence for church use. In 1980-1981, Pastor Benjamin Manuel was assigned to John Mark UMC. The Administrative Council chaired then by Mr. Vic Crisologo prepared the Lagro Extension Church to be a full-fledged local church for the following conference year. Engr. Felix Aspiras was elected as Vice Chairman of the Council representing Lagro. On February 7, 1982, the Administrative Council passed a resolution recommending the recognition of Lagro as a full-fledged local church, which the Charge Conference approved.

On February 14, 1982, Bishop Dr. Emerito P. Nacpil assisted by the District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Meynardo Jose, conducted the first worship service commemorating the birth of Lagro. Subsequently, the bishop assigned the following workers to the Lagro UMC: Pastor Brigido Villaviza (now deceased) as supply pastor; Gloria Ramos, student deaconess; Dr. Jose Gamboa to conduct communion service every first Sunday of the month, but after sometime replaced by Rev. Elizabeth Tapia.

On February 28, 1982, the Lagro UMC as a new local church held its very first charge conference with the first set of officers as follows: Chairman: Felix Aspiras, Vice Chairman: Rudolfo Vidal, Lay leader: Rodolfo Lucas, Treasurer and Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference: Pag-asa Lucas among others. On April 11, 1982, the Lagro UMC had to move to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Admiralte and Nora Quetolio. The first worship service at the Quetolio's was on April 11, 1982 –Resurrection Sunday. The conference year (CY) 1982-1983 marked the most challenging in the life of Lagro UMC as an independent local church. Efforts focused on nurture and development of the laity through bible studies, home visitations and fellowships. LUMC organized lay organizations as well as connectional relationships with other Methodist churches. Renovation of the place for worship also went underway to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. Before the end of the conference year, LUMC established a building fund specifically allotted for the purchase of a church lot. In 1984, the LUMC, with the support of the Philippines Annual Conference, purchased the lot where it stands now through the leadership of the Administrative Council chairperson Rudolfo Vidal. Groundbreaking ceremonies followed immediately which, then District Superintendent Rev. Nonato Vengco officiated.

In 1985, Pastor Danilo T. Pedracio, a young and dynamic pastor who has just graduated from the Union Theological Seminary was assigned to Lagro UMC. The church's major concern during that time was the construction of the church edifice. With the able leadership of Atty. Marianito de los Santos, Administrative Council chairperson and the supervision of Pastor Pedracio, the church construction took barely three months. On December 1, 1985, Rev. Nathanael Manuel, who took over as District Superintendent officiated the "historic inaugural service in the first Evangelical Church to rise in the biggest government subdivision in the Philippines" as described by Edna de los Santos in the previous write up about the LUMC. Three years later, the dedication of the parsonage took place.

Worshippers in Lagro continued to increase. In order to be more responsive to the varying needs of the growing church members, the administrative council started conducting annual strategic planning exercises, formulating church's vision and mission and planning responsive church programs and activities. The LUMC opened outreach and mission works in the nearby areas. In 1987, Pastor Danilo Pedracio organized the Bible study at the Ocampo's residence at Maligaya Parkland and the extension class for children, which Rebecca del Rosario, a volunteer deaconess led. A few months later, the church also organized an extension class for the children in Sto Nino. In 1988-1989, the Bible study at the Ocampo's residence in Maligaya Parkland continued with Felix Aspiras as the leader. Towards the latter part of 1990, LUMC organized the members from Sto Nino as a new Bible study group under the leadership of Tomas Rizo Jr.

The LUMC in the 90's

The 90's marked a big stride in the life of the church. True to her evangelical mission, LUMC conducted successive evangelistic rallies in strategic points in Maligaya. In 1991, Pastor Abraham Gregorio served as the speaker while Uncle Sam presented the gospel through chalk talk. In 1992, Pastor Narag served as the speaker. The crusades yielded more souls however, the Lord took Rodel Ocampo, a faithful servant while giving his testimony.

Bible studies among the families in Lagro and in nearby areas grew dramatically in number with Bro. Tomas Rizo, Jr. leading most of the bible study groups. LUMC also opened ministry work in other areas such as Guadanoville, Mountain Heights and Pangarap Subdivision. In 1996, the Maligaya and the Palmera bible study groups became a worshipping congregation almost simultaneously. LUMC assigned Engr Felix Aspiras as a lay worker at Maligaya and student pastor Orly Veron, (now the Administrative Pastor of LUMC) to Palmera.

Church leadership was passed on to Mr. Rodolfo Lucas, 1990-1997; then to Vic Crisologo, 1997-1999; Emelita Aguinaldo, 1999-2002; then to Thelma Japzon, 2002-2005; to Engr. Tomas Rizo Jr., 2005-2006 and to Atty. mar delos Santos from 2006 to present. Pastors assigned to Lagro UMC are as follows: Rev. Pastor Rolando Martinez, 1997-1999; Rev. Pastor Romeo Solabo, 1999-2001; again Rev. Pastor Danilo Pedracio, 2001-2003; Rev. Pastor Florenio Herradura, Sr., 2003-2006; Rev. Pastor Orlino Veron, 2006-present.

The Lagro UMC Today

The LUMC today faces a bigger challenge in its ministry. The needs of the members are more complex. With Rev. Pastor Orlino Veron, as Administrative Pastor, LUMC responds to the varying needs of her community.

(8) Worship services on Sundays (Lagro-2 worship services at the main sanctuary and (2) junior worship services at the educational building; (2) worship services each at the Spring of Life Mission Church (formerly, Palmera Pitong Bahay) and in Pangarap the Mission Church;

LUMC conducts Sunday schools for all ages for the different congregations; extension classes for the mission areas in Camarin, Spring Of Life Fellowship, and Pangarap. LUMC implements a re-clustering of the Bible study groups, continuous training of members, leadership development for the mission churches and feeding program for the children at the Spring Of Life, Amparo (Mountain Heights), Pangarap and Camarin mission points.

A P E R S O N A L P O R T F O L I O W E B S I T E