HISTORY OF TAAL EVANGELICAL BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH
The town of Taal where Taal Evangelical Bible Community Church stands is known to have people who are deeply devoted to Roman Catholicism. Because of this, they are not receptive to the teaching of the Word of God. Irrespective of this kind of environment, the plan of God to have a Christ believing church was created and has continued to be a li
ving testimony of the faithfulness of God to soften the stony hearts of Taaleños in general. The mission to Taal of Lasig family, headed by Mr. Romeo Lasig and Mrs. Lilia Lasig started in 1986 after finishing their missionary work in San Juan, Batangas. As expected, they rented a house owned by Fatima Tolentino not only for their own benefit but also to serve as the house church of the people who would soon to be believers of Christ. At first they distributed tracks in Bagumbayan and Pandayan but it did not become an effective tool to share the gospel because the people showed their unwillingness to accept them. Later on, they found Lemery Evangelical Church where they attended its services. While attending a worship service there, they met Mrs. Josie Cabrera who gave her commitment to invite her students in the Home Bible Study handled by Mr. & Mrs. Lasig in Taal. The said ministry was used by the Lord to evangelize those students in which majority of them became the first batch of members of the church which was named Taal Bible Christian Church. In 1988, the first worship service happened at the workers’ house. On that same year Cherry Lasig, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Lasig who also served the Lord faithfully died of brain tumor at the age of 21. Despite of the pain of losing a family member, the Lasig family continued to lead the church ministry. Nancy and Irynn Lasig who was studying in FEBIAS during those times used to go home on weekends to help in the church. Moreover, youth baptism in Balanga with Pastor Walton was conducted even there was a typhoon. In 1989, the first anniversary of the church was held. Visitors from Bauan, Lemery and FEBIAS came to celebrate with the church. In 1991, the Lasig family was transferred to the house owned by Aala family which became the second house church of Taal Bible Christian Church. Due to the limited funding, the church made used of improvised materials for church services like hymnals, chairs, over head projector, spot light, plastic container musical drum set and many others. In addition to the church involvement, there were also ministries for the daughter churches in Taliba and San Nicolas although it was soon stopped and being merged to the mother church in Taal. The church further helped the believers in San Isidro in handling Sunday School and Worship Service. Aside from Lasig family, there were also other workers who helped in the ministry, namely: Auntie Monette Ordonez (sister of Mrs. Lilia Lasig) and Elizabeth Antriter from Germany. They both handled Bible Studies in different places and helped in the church leadership. And then after graduating from FEBIAS College, Nancy and Irynn Lasig worked full-time in the church. They led the youth and children ministries. Campus Crusade for Christ and T.E.L. contributed further their skills and time for the furtherance of Christ’s mission work in Taal. Later on, the Board of Trustees were organized and the church was formally registered to SEC with the name Taal Bible Christian Church, Inc. In 1996, the Lasig family was transferred to another house located at JP Laurel St., Taal. Just like before this served also as the house church. Nancy Lasig left for the meantime the church ministry to work in Bugkalot Tribe but came back in 2003. Finally, she was installed as the lady minister/Pastora of the church. By faith, the church was able to purchase a 387 sq. meter lot at the damp site by the side of the creek at Ilagan St., Taal, Batangas. Even if there was only limited fund available, the church decided to start the building construction with the hope and prayer that the Lord would provide everything for His temple. And with the continuous leading of the Lord, the first worship service was held in the new church eventhough the construction was not yet finished. Although all believers were very glad and thankful for the answered prayers on the church building, some painful situations eventually occurred to the Lord’s anointed pillars of the church. In June 2010, Auntie Monette Ordonez passed away, followed by Mrs. Lilia Lasig on July 18, 2012 and Mr. Romeo Lasig on February 7, 2015
Irrespective of all those hurting occurences, by God’s grace Pastora Nancy and Irynn Lasig led courageously the mission and the ministry of the church. Irynn Lasig decided to resign from her work in Christian School of Bauan and worked full-time in the church. Many changes for the betterment of the church have happened, as follows:
• The name Taal Bible Christian Church, Inc. was changed to Taal Evangelical Bible Community Church Inc.
• The church loan from Church Assistance Program for the lot and building was fully paid and the church building improvement has been going on.
• DVBS was changed to MAPS (Music, Arts, Play and Stories) to be more effective in witnessing for Christ.
• Private and public schools have been opened for God’s mission and ministry such as Recollection, UC Day, Feeding, Gift Giving, Reading, Recycling Seminar and Teachers’ Appreciation
• There is unlimited provision for modern equipment for church use like computers, LCD, aircon, musical instruments and others. In all of these, God deserves the glory and honor!
