HK-based JLG unveils 5-storey church building in Pangasinan

 

JLG's new church building stands proud and tall in Calasiao, Pangasinan

It all started with a dream some 12 years ago. Young Abigail, the fourth child of Bishop Gerry Vallo who founded the then fledgling Jesus the Living God church in Hong Kong, was doodling on a small piece of paper while confined in a hospital for a leg injury when she suddenly said, “This is our future church building.”

Bishop Gerry and his wife, Pastora Edelyn, were taken aback by the young girl's confident pronouncement but were also elated, for the image presented them was something right out of a dream. 

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At the time, the JLG leader said he had been asking God to help him attain a new perspective in leading a church, after working his way up to lead a big congregation, then finding himself starting all over again with JLG.

“It was as if God confirmed to a babe…that something great was about to happen,” said Bishop Vallo.

The Vallo family singing onstage during the inauguration ceremony

But it took a lot more years of hard work and dedicated fund raising before that dream that grew out of Abigail’s premonition became a reality. 

The revelation came on Jan. 19 this year when the entire Vallo family was joined by friends and family from all over the world in inaugurating JLG Chuch International Headquarters in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Among those who came were some longtime supporters of JLG from all over the world and the Philippines, including Bishop Moses Chungalao of the Free Believers in Christ international church, who despite some health problems, had himself driven from Baguio and back, to lead  the opening rites.

Guests who came from various places in the Phl and abroad cut the ceremonial ribbon

The newly built, five-storey building housing the JLG headquarters is a sight to behold. Painted in striking blue, siena and peach colors, the building that rose from what used to be a land overgrown with cogon grass could be seen from several blocks away though it is set back a few meters from the highway.

“From nothing to something” is how the Vallo couple often explain what to them, is a true gift from God.

After Abigail’s innocent foretelling, it took another two years before the dream started to take shape. Bishop Vallo said that while watching a noontime show on TV, he distinctly heard God telling him that an acquaintance from Calasiao, Arnold Padlan, would donate land for the church. But he was told not to call or send a message to Padlan, but to see him personally.

That same year, the Vallo couple went to see Padlan in Pangasinan. The bishop said he boldly told him about the message he got from God, and was met with complete silence. After a few minutes Padlan told the couple that they should have dinner, and late that night, drove them to his land and pointed to where they could build their church.

That led to another problem: funding. The Vallos knew it would take a lot of help from their friends and supporters before they could even get the building started, but they were undeterred.

After determining they needed at least P6 million to build, they called on friends, business people, fellow pastors and family members to help them realize their dream. From Hong Kong they went to the Philippines, and later North America, to get funding help.

“The first time I raised the goal of raising six million pesos, most of the people listening to me were shocked, but God prevailed,” said Bishop Vallo.

Realizing later on that Php6 million was not enough to complete the building they raised their goal to Php 9 million, still clinging to the thought that what may seem unbelievable could be achieved with God’s grace.

Bishop Moses leads prayer on inauguration day

In due time, and even amid the pandemic, JLG not only met its target, but surpassed it by nearly Php5 million to date. Particularly heartwarming, according to Bishop Gerry, were the donations that came from the hard-earned money of their OFW members, especially one who donated more than Php300,000 “for God’s kingdom.”

With the building now nearly finished, JLG has begun working on the activities they could all do under one room.

“Our mandate is to do the great commissions of God; that is the reason why God gave us this building,” said Bishop Gerry.

He said their long-term goal is to use their training center to raise new workers and pastors, and do other activities that benefit the community, like a feeding program.

All these  need continuous funding so Bishop Gerry and the JLG family is hoping more donors would step forward and help them continue their mission.

(Please send your donations to bank acount number 8751-0114-24 in the name of Jesus The Living God International Ministry Inc at the Bank of the Philippine Island branch in Caranglaan, Dagupan City, Pangasinan.)

 

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