by Pastor Bob Asercion

We praise God for bringing pastor Art Beals to challenge our church for greater missions involvement.  For ten years pastor Art Beals  served in mission as an evangelist/new church developer in the Philippines. He also served another ten years as Founder and President of World Concern, an evangelical international relief and development organization. There he led a staff of several hundred in Christ-centered ministries to the world’s poorest of the poor. He is the author of the book, “Beyond Hunger: A Biblical Mandate for Social Responsibility.”  Pastor Art has served as Senior Pastor of churches in Oregon, Washington, and Manila, Philippines. His reputation as an inspiring and challenging Bible and mission conference speaker, a seminar speaker, and a mission strategist brings him many opportunities for ministry throughout the world. We praise God for bringing him to our church and the challenge he gave us for missions.  Special thanks to Dr. “Dad” Sarmiento and his missions staff for a successful 2009 missions month.  All glory to God!

by Pastor Bob Asercion

Jim Thayer from Timeless Architecture Inc., Irvine Ca. recently visited our church to evaluate and discuss possible project designs and future facility needs for the lot we own across the street from the church.  He is a church architect who has built over 350 projects.  He spent a whole day looking at our property, interviewing pastor Reuel and pastor Bob on our vision for future ministries.  He also spent time at Vallejo’s Planning Division to review various building ordinances by the city.  His visit gave us much information and keen insight on many aspects specific to churches when it comes to building a future ministry center facility.  He spent many hours contemplating the best use for the land and came up with the design we currently see in our church lobby.

by Pastor Reuel

We praise God that mustard seed pre-school finally opened.   After many years of praying, planning and preparing, Mustard Seed preschool opened its doors on Monday, October 5th, 2009.   The school has a distinctive philosophy that is Christ-centered, play based and developmentally appropriate for pre-school and toddlers.  We praise God for their wonderful staff, the director Dannielle Nogaliza and two teachers, Erlinda Casugay and Jeanette Tongson.  We are also thankful to the Lord for the hard work of the board of directors, Joe Ambrosio, Corin Calica, Faith Chou, Noel Goltiao, Rowena Pagtakhan, and Armando Valenzuela.  They have done an excellent job in getting the school up and running.  We are especially grateful to God for all the hard work of Corin Calica, board chairperson, and for the considerable time and effort she invested in getting the pre-school licensed.  Her broad experience and expertise in Early Childhood Education was put to great use as she diligently laid the ground work for this momentous occasion.   She has done a yeoman’s job from writing the grant for the playground, to furnishing the school with equipment from closed out centers, to taking care of the myriad details required by the state.  Continue to pray for this brand new ministry as they seek to enroll more children and influence families for the Lord.

by Pastor Reuel

The birthday benefit concert by sister Cecile Azarcon-Inocentes on Sunday, November 15th was a huge success.   Close to 200 of her closest friends and relatives from all over the United States attended the intimate performance.  The evening began with the song that launched her career, “Lift Up Your Hands.”   She introduced several guest artists who sang some her most beloved compositions.  The singers included Arnaldo Inocentes, Cherelei Ramirez, Kristiana Sunga and Berni.  She also invited Jojo Jose who played a jazzy piano rendition of “Ikaw Ang Lahat sa Akin.”  During the middle of the concert, Cecile gave a spur of the moment request to her mom, Tita Minda Azarcon, to play “Fantaisie-Impromptu,” by Chopin and she dazzled the audience with her rendition.  All together the event raised close to $6,000 which was used to finance the initial plans and drawings for FBCV’s ministry center.  Pastor Reuel was given a unique opportunity to give a short evangelistic message on the greatest love story based on the familiar John 3:16 and gave an invitation near the close of the program.  The evening ended with worship team leading the people in singing “The Fragrance of Worship.”   We praise and thank God for blessing this event and for His work in sister Cecile’s life and her ministry in our midst.