Early Beginnings

The quiet and serene suburban life offered by Southern Jersey that contrasted with the fast paced tempo in the metropolis of Northern Jersey was primarily the attraction that lured five Christian families to establish their residences in the booming Washington Township- then a new development characterized by contemporary living and friendly neighborhood. Moving from North Jersey, the families of the Carillo-Fajarito, Fabila, Guyo, Gipitulan, and the Valdez, together with the Buen-Gabayno family from Philadelphia constituted the core of what is later known as the South Jersey Bible Church International.

Detached from the streams of their mother church in Garfield, the families gathered regularly together for fellowship.

On September 21, 1988, Rev. Romy Manansala, then Pastor of Bible Church International in Garfield, together with Rev. Manuel Serna, Missionary Pastor of the same church conferred with Dr. Robert Tallent, Director of Missions of SJ Baptist Association on the prospects of starting a Filipino ministry in the area with the six families to form the nucleus. Plans were discussed in a series of meetings. Subsequently, a letter was sent to Emmanuel Baptist Church (now New Horizons Community Church) requesting sponsorship for the Filipino ministry.

October 9 of the same year was the first worship held at the Guyo's residence attended by 22 adults and 6 children. An organizational meeting was initiated and election of officers was held after the worship service with Bro. Ismael Valdez chosen as chairperson. It was agreed upon that worship services will be held at the residences of the nucleus families on rotation basis.

A Dream Begins

With the typical Filipino friendliness, more families were invited until the original number of attendees grew bigger. The evident sight of growth inspired a dream among them- a dream to be formally constituted someday, organized, have ministries...and yes, a pastor to shepherd the growing congregation.

Then on June 1, 1989, the church called and installed Rev. Manuel Serna as SJBCI's first Pastor who led God's flock in their initial journey. Not long after, the church could no longer be accommodated in the members' houses. This immediately prompted the officers to consider renting a bigger place of worship. So on October 8, 1989, the church moved to the Knights of Columbus Hall in Fishpond Road.

The succeeding year saw many "firsts" in the life of the young church such as first Baptism, Youth Fellowship, Daily Vacation Bible School and Summer Retreat. Two years later, the church Constitution and By-Laws were framed.

Because the growth trend was steady, the church again had a need for a bigger space. The search led to the old sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Turnersville. With a new and bigger place, the church expanded its ministry further- now to include Junior and Kids' Praise, Feeding of the Homeless, Seamen's Ministry, Bible Tract Distribution, Radio and Missions at Upper Darby, PA. This first mission work later became SJBCI's first daughter church where Pastor Roger Manao served as its first Pastor in 1992. That same church is currently under the leadership of Pastor Peter Yanes and has gone independent. Meanwhile, Pastor Manao serves in another SJBCI mission work in N. Philadelphia.

Tests and Triumphs...A Dream Fulfilled

One of the most significant markers in the church life was its incorporation in the state of New Jersey in 1995- now giving SJBCI that legal identity and all the appurtenances that pertains thereto. It was a milestone in itself. However, in that same year, the church had its setback with the resignation of Rev. Manuel Serna after five years of service. He was later succeeded by Rev. Eleazar Yanson who served as interim for 6 months. Several other pastors like Rev. James Betner and Rev. Hal Hopkins also served on interim capacity. Their stints no matter how brief were periods of recovery from pain, transition and inspiration to greater commitment to God and His church. If was also a punctuating point to prepare SJBCI for another full time pastor.

While the absence of a regular pastor was a drawback, the church remained intact and refused to be held captive by the spirit of complacency in keeping the fires of fellowship burning. The church moved on with faith in every step she took and then focused to the dream of owning a church building of her own. It was a dream that dated back in their early beginnings.

But the grace of God, SJBCI was able to generate enough funds for the purchase of church property. And on March 15, 1998, the dream became a beautiful reality with this church building and a parsonage. This manifestation of God's faithfulness and provision was another inspiration to move on despite the absence of God's anointed leader and wait upon Him.

A New Pastor...Crystallization of a Vision

As the church grew bigger and its ministries multiplied, the need for a full time pastor became more urgent and was a primary concern for prayer more than it has been since 1995. It was a long wait, but in God's own perfect time, the search finally ended when He sent His own chosen servant to minister to SJBCI. Pastor Ding Guevarra and his family arrived in the US on September 21, 2000. Pastor Ding had to cut short his term as President of Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches when he responded to the call.

Our anniversary that year had a double significance. First, it was a celebration of God's grace and faithfulness for twelve years, and second, it was an installation for our new pastor. His arrival was not only an answer to our prayers- it was also a focus to a new vision dubbed as AFLAME 2005 - Advancing the Flames of Missions and Evangelism. It was a five-year strategy program that attempts to break through the next level of growth by means of equipping God's people for ministry on top of recapturing the passion for the great commission. It was a program that makes discipleship its centerpiece, while doing mission and evangelism its fulfillment. It is also a strategy that helps SJBCI redefine growth points while achieving a vibrant worshiping community of Filipinos and other nationalities.

A Passion for Mission and Church Planting

Missions and evangelism has always been in the heart of SJBCI since its inception. Early in its life, this church has learned obedience to the Great Commission. Our first daughter church attests to this.

With AFLAME 2005, doing missions and evangelism has become a passion. Reaching out to areas where Filipinos live and likely to be found has been a preoccupation. Cluster groups were established in different areas targeting to minister to church members and reaching out to new ones who are invited. One of the cluster groups paved the way to the establishment of the Church of the good Shepherd in Vorhees. This has become SJBCI's third daughter church.

Meanwhile, another mission work has been opened in South Philadelphia which aims to minister to Filipinos in that area and at the same time it is SJBCI's response to the so called "Philadelphia Spirit." It is now under the shepherding of Pastor Eleazar Yanson. Both daughter churches hold worship every Sunday afternoon.

SJBCI in now in a momentum that makes the members confident and hungry for more church actions. This is why reaching out to people in cluster groups and mission points have become an avenue for expressing their gifts and exercising their commitment to God.

From hereon our history moves on. Each year marks a new year of God's handiwork in this church. Meanwhile, we shall continue to "preach the WORD in season and out of season," for our desire is to be found faithful and obedient to the Great Commission.