United Pentecostal Church Philippines - History
Year 1939, a man from the Philippines named Urbano Aventura received the Gospel from God and was baptized in Jesus name by Sis. Adah Luchban in Hawaii, U.S.A. He went home bearing that Gospel to the Philippines during the Pre-War. He first preached this good news of salvation to his relatives in Iloilo, ended felt upset because they resisted and rejected such offer. With this frustration he proceeded to Baguer, Pigcawayan, Cotabato. He acquired a piece of land at the neighboring Barangay Kimarayag and engaged himself in farming. Being alone in his Christian life, nobody to have fellowship with, his faith in God weakened.
One day in his "Kamalig" at Kimarayag - World War II, he was caught and fired by the Japanese forces while keeping his Bible secret. HE was reminded of the salvation he received from God. He asked God for his deliverance that very hour and promised God to share the Gospel. God listened and saved Bro. Urbano. He only received a slight wound in his right arm.
Year 1948, Post War, Bro. Urbano started witnessing, shared the Gospel and many souls were baptized in Jesus name. Among those first baptized were Bro. Ricardo Villa, Sis. Josefa Villa (who until now are faithfully serving God), the Banto family and Sis. Maria Jalandoni. From that time on, Sunday services/gatherings were conducted in Bro. Aventura's residence. Sis. Nelly Bacus was baptized on December 25, 1948 and Sis. Mercedes Golez in March 1949. These two remained as God's faithful prayer warriors and active in all Church services and activities.
A small Church made of indigenous materials was erected in 1950 at Baguer. Through the help of the faithful saints and kindhearted unbelievers it was done. More souls were added to the church and it forces the saints to expand the building. Satan was unhappy for this, he uses people to mocked them saying, It's only the work of Bano - "iya-iya lang ni". They didn't believe in his preaching. this pushed the saints to pray and asked God to send Missionary to prove unto people that they are serving a living God and theirs is not the only group who served God. They desired to be recognized by the Philippines government. They didn't forget to include this request in every prayer meeting/services.
Year 1960, in a prayer meeting at Sis Golez' house at Kimarayag, God spoke to his people. One of the saints prophesied saying, Somebody is coming on February 25 - 'May maabot sa Pebrero 25'. That prayer meeting happened two weeks before the prophesied date.
God continue to manifest his powerful works. One Sunday, the son of Sis. Mercedes Golez, Junior was very sick, People were suggesting to bring him to the Doctor for he is nearing death. But the parents brought him to the Church. With the strong faith of Bro. Urbano, he said to the saints to pray and request God to heal the sick. He laid Bro. Junior on a table and covered him with a white clothe, for he at that time was out of breath. They prayed for almost one hour. What a Miracle! Taking off the covered cloth, the child started to breath.
A certain American man came travelling from Cotabato City and asked the driver to drop him at a certain place after 30 minutes of travel. While walking along Barangay Balogo, a man named Mr. Muyco ( a logging contractor) saw him. Mr. Muyco took the American in his G.I truck and dropped him in Golez residence at Kimarayag.
Sis. Golez felt something different where the spirit of God worked. While preparing for his visitors breakfast, the spirit of the Lord continued to talk to her and she glanced at the calendar placed in their kitchen -----
Oh it's February 25. She jumped for Joy and approached the man saying, Praise the Lord, You're the one, sent by God. They exchanged views and know the whole story of God's plan. His name was Rev. Arthur Dillon.
In the Golez' residence, he began witnessing Bro. Eliseo Golez, Sr. He was convinced recalling the miracle that had happened to his beloved son, Junior. Later, he was baptized in the name of Jesus and he remembered well his spiritual birthday more than his natural birth.
Bro. Urbano and the saints allowed Bro. Dillon to preach at nightly revival services for two weeks. Having this, Bro. Urbano Keenly observed how he handled services and his doctrine. Nothing really different. So, they agreed to affiliate with Bro. Dillon's Organization. From then Apostolic Faith Church the name was changed to UPC maintaining the Apostolic Doctrine being taught from the beginning. Affiliation papaers were all processed by Rev. Dillon. UPC that time was recognized by the Philippine Government under the leadership of Rev. Carlos Grant. Year 1960, a two storey wooden Church was constructed by Rev. Dillon and the saints. The church was dedicated to the Lord on December 25, 1961.
The time has for Bro. Urbano to rest and he was taken by the Lord on April 1968. Prior to his death, Bro. Eddie Acuesta assumed the work temporarily for almost two years. After the death of Bro. Urbano, Bro. Jun Tejares continued the work, followed by Bro. Bert Villaflor. Different workers shared their burdens for the work of the Lord in Baguer, to wit Rev. Lucer Fondevilla, Rev. Jose Quiboloy and followed by Rev. Catalino Guinit that the Church was renovated to a one storey concrete building in year 1973. After which Sis. Velonilla Imarga assumed the work, then by Pastor Domingo Busano and was followed by Rev. Eddie Acuesta who was installed in the work of the Lord on September 1983.
Under the leadership of Pastor Acuesta, the Church grew rapidly. Church building was expanded, gospel cars were purchased. Musicians and crusaders team were organized. New musical instrument were purshased, Sunday school teachers were intacted and many souls were added by the Lord to the Church. Pastor Acuesta and his Family continue to yield themselves for the ministry up to the present time where the Church celebrates its 50th foundation anniversary. UPC Baguer was recognized and was considered as the mother Church of United Pentecostal Church - Oneness in the Philippines.
To God be the Glory.
