Ang Balay-alampoanan sa Kabungturan
JESUS CHRIST THE ANOINTED ONE CHURCH
They say, “a family that prays together, stays together.” This is what happened to a small church community in the mountains of Cebu. Whether it’s a burning church building or a global pandemic, Jesus Christ the Anointed One (JCAO) remained united and faithful. JCAO has been serving their community for almost five years and is still growing. The lead pastor Marlon Tañan, said in an interview, “Importante kaayu ang pag-tinabangay kay sama ra kini sa tanom. Ang tanom kung walay bobo mamatay, maong tabangan jud ug bobo arun mokatay.”
JCAO is located on a hill in one of the mountain barangays of Toledo City. The church transferred there after a fire destroyed their previous building. Pastor Marlon mentioned that he didn’t plan on becoming a pastor. Rather, he wanted to be a cook on a ship. He reflected, “Pero kung ang Ginoo man gud maoy magtawag, mao na gyud na, dili na nimo mausab pa. Ang gusto sa Ginoo dili panagat nga dagat literal kundi ang panagat ug tawo.” He faced numerous challenges in leading the church especially with its members, and said, “Ang kina-iya sa tawo, lain-lain. Maoy pinaka dako nga challenge sa akoa. Kay naa nimo tanang pa-ilog, naa nimo tanang pagsabot. Apan imong pa-ilog ug pagsabot sa tawo molalom ug pag-ayu.” Despite everything, he remained firm in his faith in Jesus and continued serving the people God called him to lead.
“Pero kung ang Ginoo man gud maoy magtawag, mao na gyud na, dili na nimo mausab pa. Ang gusto sa Ginoo dili panagat nga dagat literal kundi ang panagat ug tawo.”
The church members grew even more closely together as they helped and encouraged one another to always trust that God would provide for their needs. During the pandemic, some of them called their pastor in the middle of the night asking for prayers or to climb a mountain to visit a member. Reflecting on the start of his time as pastor at JCAO Sibagay, Pastor Marlon said, “Walay tawo nga magtukod ug simbahan aning bukid unless kung ang Ginoo ang mosulti ug mopa dayag ani. As a pastor wala ko masuhito aning bukid, kay nagdako ko ug syudad. Pero kung moingun ang Ginoo nga diha ka ibutang, and as a servant of Christ, kinahanglan mo follow ta sa iyang tawag.” They went through different peaks and valleys but iT taught them to stay unified as a community.
Looking to the early church for guidance, JCAO chose a familiar reference in the book of Acts, “And they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers.”1 When gatherings were prohibited during the pandemic, they constantly met at each others’ houses to continue spreading the gospel. They became a family as their pastor always reminded them, “Dinhing dapita we are a family, kitang tanan, usa ra… Kung ang komunidad naa anang pag-higugma, panag-hiusa ug pag-sinabtanay, tanan nindut gyud. Ang relasyon ang pinaka nindut nga i-build up sa kumonidad kay kung naa kini walay gubot ug away. Mao ng nga plano nako nga itugot sa Ginoo nga tanan magka unite as one body of Christ.”
The Bible mentioned God’s promise to Isaac, as He did to Abraham, that He will multiply his offspring like the stars in heaven.2 Generations later, Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations.3 In these two events, one thing is common: you and I are invited to follow Jesus and be a part of God’s family. As faithful members of Christ’s body, one small church on a hill is teaching young adults to follow Jesus in their daily lives. As some would say, “Bahalag hinay, basta kanunay ang Ginoo maga-uban kanato.”
JCAO has a discipleship meeting every Wednesday afternoon. Sunday service is 9:30-11:30 am. It is located at Sibagay 1, Brgy. Cantabaco, Toledo City, Cebu on top of a hill. Get connected with JCAO through Pastor Marlon’s Facebook: @jcao.shunem
1 Acts 2:42 ESV 2 Genesis 26:3-5 ESV 3 Matthew 28:18-20 ESV