BCI History: The Founding Fathers
- Nov 21, 1992
- Series: 10th Anniversary
The thirty believers had previously worshipped at another church. The Holy Spirit stirred their hearts to respond with an unwavering obedience to God’s call in establishing a Bible-teaching church when they collectively left the other church. At the time, however, the magnitude of their calling was beyond their comprehension. The fruit of that first worship service proliferated unabatingly, not because of their good works but because God chose to use them as His instruments for what were yet to be. God blessed their willingness to used and prospered their efforts. Little did they know then that the challenges the Lord was presenting to them were not only for the building up of a new church but also for the renewing and strengthening of their faith in Him.
The charter members were mostly Filipinos and a Polish American who came from a variety of denominational backgrounds. They were independent evangelicals, Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. Some were converts from the Roman Catholic Church. These believers in Christ were married couples with children and single adults. There were married adults also with unbelieving family members, who were considered sympathizers and later professed their faith in Jesus and joined in membership as well.
Presently, only six of the charter members continue to serve at Bible Church International. Many had relocated to Georgia, Florida, California and other parts of New Jersey for various reasons. They, however, continue to actively serve the Lord in their new locations. Most were involved in planting and are currently supporting a church while a few moved in response to God’s call to join a full-time or reassigned ministry.
Rev. Jaime Prieto served as the first full-time pastor of the Church. His wife, Polly, complemented his powerful preaching with her musical talent. Prior to 1982, Rev. Prieto was a Baptist evangelist in the Philippines and a missionary for the World Opportunities International. As a team, Rev. and Mrs. Prieto served at BCI until February 1984, when they were called by the Lord to a ministry in Hawaii. A few years later, they returned to mainland USA, where Rev. Prieto presently holds dual roles at the Southern Baptist Convention as an Assistant Director of the Language Church Extension Division for the Home Mission Board in Georgia and as the National Consultant for Filipino Church Growth.