Our Beginnings

In 1996, some families from Delta and Surrey area, who were members of Filipino Christian Alliance Church (FCAF) in Vancouver, were meeting every week for Bible study. At that time, the leadership at FCAF are studying the book “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. One of the key truths that they have studied is to join God where He is already working. This made a very strong impact to them. Sensing God’s leading, Pastor Ricky Mapa communicated with Pastor Roland Hepner of Surrey Alliance Church who offered their church as a venue for free.

Guided by prayer and revelation, the church in surrey was born. In October 1997, with Pastor Gideon Mijares, the first official service of Filipino Surrey Alliance Church (FilSAC) was held. The inaugural service was help on February 28, 1998. For the next several years, the church was financed by subsidy from the District. We became a self-sustaining church in 2003.

Pastor Jeof Barrun came on board as part time pastor in the last quarter of year 2000 and became official in April 2001. On February 3, 2002, the church was organized and became a chartered church of the Christian Missionary Alliance in Canada. It has 68 founding members. It was also this year when the church encompassing vision of becoming a multi-ethnic community reaching out not only to Filipinos but to all nationalities.

Even at the early years, the vision of having a place of our own to worship has already birthed in the hearts of the leaders and members. Building Committee was formed and fundraising activities involved in this building project. Big events were organized like “Grace to Grace” concert with Ms. Grace Chan and Valentine concert with Pastor Ray An Fuentes. The church is really grateful to the LORD for them.

While the adults were into the building project, the children have their own busy lives. They presented “The Secret of My Success” in 2001 under the joint efforts of Ms. Grace de Barras and Mr. Clint Madrid and “Acorns to Oaks” in 2004 with Miss Joy Dela Cruz directing. These were a huge success! They also participated in “Joy in This Place” and “Everlasting Light” Christmas presentations of the adult choir. Last year, they amazed us with their Christmas musical presentation of “Birthday of a King.” All these years, the children never missed their day camp every year wherever it is held – be it at the church, Bear Creek Park or Hawthorn Park.

The year 2005 was a very significant year! The LORD Almighty granted us our own facility so the church could be more effective in living out its vision and accomplishing its mission. In August, the LORD led us to a restaurant in Delta which was up for sale. The required funds were not sufficient yet, but the church, took a giant step of faith and made an offer on the property. They saw God’s hand amazingly at work and within a span of only two weeks, the funds came in. This paved the way for the church to get approval from the District office, get a mortgage, move in and acquire this property. The church in Delta is now the worship centre where we are gathering today. The first service in this building was held on November 27, 2005 with around 110 members. The building was dedicated to the LORD on October 15, 2006 during our 9th anniversary.