ABOUT

WHO WE ARE

HISTORY

In June 1991, Bishop Emerito P. Nacpil of the UMC appointed me, Pastor Jose L. Padang as Administrative Pastor of Central UMC , located at Kalaw, Taft Avenue, Manila. By September of that same year, Pastor Lingkod and Lourdes Juane came home from the US and attended the Sunday 10 AM service. At the end of worship, they met me as the new pastor, and introduced themselves as members of Central UMC who just came home from the US. They said that they were preparing for a Spiritual Leadership Conference to be held at Teacher’s Camp Baguio City on February 6-8, 1992. They were the directors of this conference and were under Ralph Mahony, who published the Acts Magazine, which was given free to everybody.

The Juanes invited me and three members to attend the conference with free registration. When the February conference came, the three of us went. However, we found ourselves out of place with the noise of the Praise and Worship which was strange to Methodists at that time. We just stayed at the far back seats of Teacher’s Camp. In fact, we felt the need to get out and go home. We felt lost and deceived by the Juanes for leading us to join a strange group of people.

However, Mrs. Lourdes Juane noticed that we were not enjoying the fellowship. She came to us and led us to the front row, and stayed with us. We told her, “We are sorry but we were not used this kind of group dancing, jumping , clapping, and raising their hands.” Mrs. Juane said, “It’s okay, just stay there. I don’t mind if you do not want to raise your hands! Just stay here in front.” Thus, we did not enjoy the first day. Nevertheless, Mrs. Juane continued to be a strong and loving woman to us. The next day she led us to the front row again. At that time, during Praise and Worship, we were able to raise our hands to the level of our faces, as if we were taking the oath of allegiance to the King.

On the third day, we were able to raise our hands above our heads in praise. Before the end of the morning session, I requested Pastor Ling Juane to give a brief announcement to all Methodists who were present to please remain for a brief meeting. To our surprise, we found out that we were not the only Methodists who came to the conference. There were 47 of us from different locations. Some of them were: Commissioner Emmanuel Cleto of Village UMC, Q.C., former President of Wesleyan University in Cabanatuan City, Dr. Remedios Habacon of Taytay UMC, former Dean of FEU college of Medicine, Mr. Rafael Fernando and Dr. Nona Fernando, Professor Beth Evangelista, US Missionary Delbert and Mrs. Rice with son Timothy, and other pastors from Cagayan, Tarlac etc. We met during lunch time and all agreed to organize the UMC Charismatic Movement. Pastor Ling Juane suggested that I host the launching and hold it at my church at Central UMC at Kalaw, Taft Avenue, Manila. We requested Commissioner Cleto to draft the Resolution, and invite our three bishops during that time to sign the endorsement of the plan to establish the charismatic movement in the UMC. I also suggested that Bishop Emerito Nacpil to be the speaker for the launching of the said movement on April 13, 1992 at Central UMC. Pastor Juane also invited the President of the 4Square Gospel Church, Dr. Felipe Ferrer and Dr. Butch Conde of the Bread of Life for the launching of the movement. There were 300 people in attendance at the launch, from different locations including Tarlac and Taytay, but all were Methodists.

The following year, I was assigned to a bigger church at Knox UMC at Doroteo Jose Avenida Avenue. We organized another Spiritual Conference and the attendance at the Knox UMC Conference doubled from 300 the previous year to 600, but all those came were Methodists. At this time, in 1993, the movement was organized with the following people as elected officers: Jose L. Padang (President); Lingkod Juane (Executive Director), and Lourdes S. Juane (Treasurer). The goal of the movement was set – to bring the life and works of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministries of the Local Church.

I, as President, then suggested that the name of the movement be changed “from Charismatic to Aldersgate” to differentiate this movement from the many charismatic groups, and because most of the attendees are United Methodists. Aldersgate , among Methodists, is a reminder of John Wesley’s new birth experience at Aldersgate Street in England. When John Wesley heard Luther’s preface to the Romans being read, he felt his heart strangely warmed. He received an assurance that he should trust Christ alone for salvation, and also an assurance that the Lord had taken away his sins and saved him from the law of sin and death.

Since the movement was growing fast, I also suggested looking for a bigger venue, and they chose Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City. The attendance of the first Aldersgate Baguio City increased to 1,500 and included non-Methodists from Jesus Reign Ministries, Free Believers, and other born again and charismatic groups. The registration during the early days of Aldersgate was only 100 pesos. Many Americans attended our conferences in Baguio City. At the height of Aldersgate Ministries, we reached an attendance of about 2,500 so we had to divide the attendees by age. The Romulo Hall was assigned for the youths with then Pastor, now Bishop Toquero, in charge. The Benitez Hall was for adults, and the Hall in front of it was for children.

VISION

Building a holy nation by raising up priests and kings that are set apart for God. “But you are God’s chosen treasure[a]—priests who are kings,[b] a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world.” 1 Peter 2:9 (The Passion Translation).

MISSION

To raise up and equip the bride of christ and the last days’ army that will greatly impact systems, communities by expressing kingdom culture, kingdom standards and kingdom values.