BCI History: Go Therefore

  • Nov 21, 1992
  • Series: 10th Anniversary

Almost a year after it became organized, BCI earnestly pursued church planting. As a Church which advocates active involvement in missions, BCI has always prayerfully considered mission fields ripe for harvest. The Congregation fully trusts the Lord to supply the financial and human resources in all of its missions endeavors. And in every instance He has provided without fail. From the beginning, church planting has been a collaborative effort with MNYBA, BCNY and, on occasion, with a sister or daughter church. Whenever a need for a pastoral leader in a potential or newly planted church arises, frequently, the Lord has already called His servant and he has been made ready and waiting to be sent. BCI’s commitment to missions is not solely confined to its localities. The Church also contributes monetarily to domestic and foreign missions through several outreach programs.

BCI planted six churches in New Jersey, New York and Massachussetts under the leadership of Rev. Manansala from 1984 through 1988. When Rev. Tan took over, five other churches were added in consultation with the former Pastor. In 1990, the Lord also chose BCI as His fellow worker in planting an Indonesian-based SBC Congregation in Queens, New York. Most of the eleven churches have been reproducing extending God’s work to Long Island and other neighboring areas highly populated with Filipinos.

The Philippines was the largest supplier of foreign trained nurses when American hospital’s need for them progressively peaked in the 80’s. As the number of recruited nurses grew, the harvest for the Lord became plentiful. Financial gain and comfortable living are the ultimate goal of many Filipinos relocating to the United States. Unknown to most of them, however, is God’s plan that they experience the friendship of Jesus in the midst of their loneliness. Joining a group Bible study to avoid isolation connects the lonely immigrant with the Savior.

The rapid growth of Filipino nurses in New York metropolitan area did not escape God’s notice. Simultaneously, He sent Pastors from the Philippines to minister to them, other professionals and their families through BCI. Each newly arrived Pastor’s visit to BCI had been a divine appointment. Most of the time, they were the ones sent to start, develop and strengthen Bible study groups or nurture existing core groups pioneered by nurses or non-nurses, who strongly desire to share their faith with their homesick colleagues. The Lord continually blesses each Bible study group’s effort and commitment causing them to grow and evolve into a young church. Thus, BCI’s church planting endeavors blossoming into its fullness.

BCI’s growth and expansion have not been limited to sponsorship of daughter churches but also by the seeds sown by its members as they are called to other places. On four different occasions in 1988, 1989, and 1991, numerous members transferred out collectively to build a new congregation in other locations where there had been an apparent need. BCI has always supported this activity in keeping with its philosophy of church planting. The growth and expansion programs employed by BCI have resulted in the phenomenal growth of Filipino-based SBC congregations in the northeast.

BCI attracts other nationalities with the good news of salvation in Christ through its faithful and zealous members in the work place, community or at home. Invitations extended to non-Filipinos to worship at BCI have resulted in their membership or regular attendance which has given credibility to its name as a Bible church for all the peoples of the earth. After a decade in the Lord’s ministry, BCI remains unhindered… going, therefore, to disciple, baptize and teach believers in Christ Jesus.