Bread of Life Ministries International

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Bread of Life Ministries International

Location Crossroad77, Mother Ignacia cor. Scout Reyes, Quezon City, Philippines
Country  Philippines
Denomination Evangelical Christian
Membership 30,000 (2010)
Website http://www.breadinternational.org/
History
Founded 1982
Founder(s) Rev. Butch Conde
Architecture
Status Megachurch
Functional status Active
Groundbreaking April 19, 1995
Completed November 14, 1998
Construction cost $40,000,000
Clergy
Senior pastor(s) Rev. Butch Conde (1982-present)
Pastor(s) Rev. Jesmael Montana, Rev. Noel Tan and 59 others

Bread of Life Ministries International (BOLMI, simply known as BOL) is a non-denominational Evangelical megachurch founded by Rev. Caesar "Butch" L. Conde.[1][2] Its headquarter is located at Crossroad77, Mother Ignacia Avenue cor. Scout Reyes Street, Quezon City, Philippines.

As of 2010, more than a 30,000 people attend the worship services in BOL local and international outreaches[3] Its mission and vision is to "Stabilize and expand what it has learned from God in prayer and the Word of God and to pass it on to other people, and also the beginning of revival in the country", which is inspired by Acts 1:8.[4]

Contents

[edit] History

In the early 1980s, Pastor Butch Conde, originally wanted to start a half-way house for prostitutes in Olongapo City, where the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay was located. Until in August 1982, when the Lord gave the calling to the 12 people, including Pastor Conde, to start a new church in Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Marynoll College (now Miriam College), offered its auditorium to launch then "Bread of Life Christian Fellowship" and the first service gatherings on November 14, 1982. This continuously increased into hundreds by invitations of people and groups.[2]

Original logo of BOL from 1982 to 2002

In 1984, from a gathering of 120 members in Maryknoll College, weekly attendance steadily increased to a thousand, BOL prompted to move temporarily to the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City on January 8 and 15, 1984. But later on January 22 on the said year, BOL worship gatherings transferred to Celebrity Sports Plaza in Capitol Hills, Quezon City to accommodate 1,200 members. Since then, BOL wants to show that God Himself is providing for the Filipino churches, struggling from the colonial mentality and Pastor Conde wants to establish that how the Filipino can be independent from the foreign missionaries.[5]

After the People Power Revolution in 1986, Pastor Conde drew inspiration from his Korea Prayer Study Tour and the Prayer Mountain experiences in South Korea, then BOL acquired a piece of land in the mountains in Rizal to build the country's and Southeast Asia's first Prayer Mountain facilities[citation needed] to spread the same spirit of prayer in the Philippines led to building the first Filipino prayer mountain facility on the said year, in 1988, BOL dedicated the Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain, its ministry of intensifying and deepening the prayer lives of the Filipino Christians through fasting. Today it continues as a place dedicated to restoration in prayer and has become a haven for believers from different churches and denominations to pray for the Philippines, Touch of Glory Prayer Mountain is located in Antipolo City, Rizal, an hour away from Manila.[6]

In 1986, BOL leaders shared their experiences and feelings who were similarly touched by the plight of the street children to the point of organizing a "Halfway House" in September on the said year, to give temporary shelter to and provide for the basic needs of street children. Some of the church leaders then became the first governing board for the "Halfway House", BOL started as a special project when a group of church workers undertook street evangelism in the busy commercial areas of Cubao in Quezon City and Monumento in Caloocan City, as well as in some squatter sites within Metro Manila. BOL started The House of Refuge Foundation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development granted a license in 1991, facilitating the agency's licensing as a child-caring institution and was fully new license and granted in March 1993. In 1997, BOL focused on House of Refuge for knowing Christ, it produces two songs, Abot Kamay by Bong Fernandez and Dinggin at Abutin by Psalmer Pagalan for House of Refuge orphans and growth into hundreds.[7]

On April 5, 1987, BOL services moved again to Circle Theater located at Timog Avenue, with around 1,800 to 2,000 members, this was started to divide its services into five gatherings. In November 1992, when BOL celebrated its 10th year anniversary, it was considered one of the fastest growing Evangelical megachurch in the country[citation needed], and BOL changed its name to "Bread of Life Ministries". BOL also planted another two central church in Makati and Valenzuela, and planted church satellites in different places in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao afterwards.

In April 1995, BOL began building its own ministry center, Crossroad77, located in Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City. Since BOL is an indigenous church, which built without the help of foreign Christian churches, financial assistance, political support, or even with the church partnership, it was built by the Filipino Christians.[8][9]

On November 29, 1998, the church dedicated Crossroad77 and weekly attendance averaged up to 2,500 each of the five service gatherings.[8] The rapid growth of the church can be attributed to the personal care of new members and neighborhood small groups presided by trained leaders, the ministry center also puts prayer rooms and it houses all the ministries of the church.[9]

In 2001, BOL Makati splitted into two centers and transferred its worship services from Mondragon building to a larger space. BOL Makati is now located on Glorietta 4 (G4), and Greenbelt Onstage, the latter located at the Project Mosaic, 3F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City.[10]

In 2002, BOL members led by Rev. Conde established Meridian International Learning Experience, a 'multi-lingual' institution that attempts to shape its students into Godly, excellent, patriotic and competitive Filipinos, with the foundation rooted on the Bible, the call of the school is to build a new generation of Filipinos who, like the national hero Jose Rizal, it is also the commitment to continually build a strong university for Christ and the transformation of the country.[11][12]

The vision of BOL from the beginning of its ministry work up to present is to build a strong national uniqueness by becoming independent from foreign sources, to resdiscover Filipino Christian indigenous spirituality. BOL emphasizes the independence of the indigenous church and is challenging other denominational churches to revive their identity through God's word as well. This belief is founded on the distinction which BOL applied to the uniqueness of the Christian journey by emphasizing the centrality of Christ, the foundation of Scriptures, prayer, worship, operated by the power of God, the way of service through sacrifice and being people of faith. These are leading the members to responsible social involvement to help the whole nation in faith and prayer.[13]

On November 25, 2007, BOL marked its 25th Anniversary with a grand celebration. The theme was the "Global Village 25/25", attended by the thousands of members from BOL local and international outreaches. The celebration was held at Ynares Center, Antipolo City, Rizal.[14]

[edit] Crossroad77 (BOL Ministry Center)

The interior of "Convenarium" in Crossroad77, Bread of Life Ministry Center. The ministry center was dedicated on November 29, 1998
The first Sunday service in Crossroad77 (BOL Ministry Center), this photo was taken on November 29, 1998

Bread of Life Ministry Center was started to build in 1995 and was completed in November 1998, it was served as BOL's international headquarter and main campus, located in Mother Ignacia Ave. cor. Scout Reyes Street, Quezon City. When the building was completed and dedicated on November 29, 1998, the ministry center was simply known as Crossroad77.[8][9] It houses 2,500-seater "Convenarium" (where Sunday worship service gatherings and young adult ministry Kalantas and Wide Awake (formerly Overnight Prayer) held), Vision 21 Hall (home of BOL youth ministry Kampilan Youth Fellowship (formerly Shire Youth Fellowship), prayer program such as Dawnwatch, and Bible studies In-Depth Bible Studies and Saturday Discovery Specials.[15] Land 21 Hall (home of children's ministry Sonshine Street; wellness ministry More than C-onquerors and medical ministry RX Wellness Medical Cell (formerly Crosscare), and Planet Infinity (which is also the supported-ministry for fitness and health); and home of More Than Medals, ministry for athletes.[16] And newly established ministry Basic Christian Life held on the Soularium prayer room. Other ministries like The Creative Futures, Inc. is in charge of church events and concerts.[17]Beyond Borders is the OFW ministry, The Fellows for Jesus is the ministry of husbands, The Homemakers for Jesus is for the ministry of housewives, iConnect is the ministry for couples and The Yogurt Company is the ministry for senior adults. In these journey groups that meet once a week to do Bible study, fellowship and ministry work. The 3rd, 4th and 5th storey of the ministry center was also community center which was supported by BOL to serve the Lord and the country.

[edit] Ministries

[edit] Congregations

BOL had its total of 68 satellite outreach in local and international congregations, with approximately 30,000 people[citation needed].

[edit] Local

BOL has 4 central churches, located in Antipolo, Makati, Quezon City and Valenzuela. There are 4 satellite outreaches in Quezon City, and the rest of congregations are located in Commonwealth, Munoz and Novaliches in Quezon City, Caloocan City, Las Piñas, City of Manila, Marikina & Muntinlupa, with a total of 13 satellite outreaches with weekly attendance of around 15,000 within Metro Manila.[18][19] BOL has rural congregations in Tarlac, Bagal, Balanga and Mariveles in Bataan, Bacoor, Cavite, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Malolos, Bulacan, Palawan, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, San Fernando, Pampanga, Bayambang and Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Legazpi City and Sorsogon in Bicol region, Rizal and Olongapo City in Zambales in Luzon; Kalibo, Aklan, Tagbilaran, Bohol, Bacolod City, Cebu City and Dumaguete in Visayas; Bais City, Negros Oriental, Butuan in Agusan del Sur, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City in Mindanao, with a total of 35 satellite outreaches.[20][21][22]

[edit] International

In 1996, BOL established international outreaches to reach out to the Filipinos overseas and other nationalities. BOL has 20 international outreaches in 10 countries, located in Asia, North America, Middle East and Europe by setting up outreach congregations in Tsuruga City in Japan, Singapore, Brunei, Yangon, Myanmar and South Korea in Asia; in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in the Middle East; in Sydney, Australia; in Barcelona, Spain, Paris and Villeneuve-Loubet in France, Parma, Italy and the Netherlands in Europe; and in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, California and in New York City, New York[23] in the United States.[24]

[edit] Multimedia

In BOL USA, live streams and video archives of sermons was shown on its official website.[25][26]

[edit] Notable Members

[citation needed]

[edit] Controversy

On October 18, 2004, BOL released a paid advertisement in the Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled “Misplaced Priorities Can Mislead the Nation” as part of the Kingdom Of A Higher World series, written by BOL pastor Rev. Bong Saquing. The article featured an eleven-year old girl, Faye San Juan, who claimed to win in an “Intercontinental Science Quiz Net” in Australia.[29] The story tells that Faye topped the contest with the support of the Japanese embassy and was not accompanied by the Philippine government. After further scrutiny in the media,[30] BOL began an investigation about the backgrounds of the girl and the mother, and 'found' the whole story a hoax created by Faye's mother who is mentally ill.[31] BOL and associate pastor Rev. Jesmael M. Montaña (who represented the Kingdom of a Higher World write-ups) issued a public apology to the media and cancelled the column.[32]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Westerlund, David. (December 1996) Questioning the Secular State: The Worldwide Resurgence of Religion in Politics. New Work: St. Martin's Press (p 1331)
  2. ^ a b Anderson, Allan and Tang, Edmond. (2005) Asian and Pentecostal: the charismatic face of Christianity in Asia.] London: Regnum Books (p 392 to 395)
  3. ^ - Bread of Life Contact Information
  4. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/aboutus-02.html
  5. ^ Anderson, Allan and Tang, Edmond. (2005) Asian and Pentecostal: the charismatic face of Christianity in Asia.] London: Regnum Books (p 393 to 394)
  6. ^ http://loqal.ph/travel-and-outdoors/2011/01/18/antipolo-prayer-mountain-is-an-ideal-place-for-a-spiritual-retreat/
  7. ^ http://house-of-refuge.org/history.htm
  8. ^ a b c Anderson, Allan and Tang, Edmond. (2005) Asian and Pentecostal: the charismatic face of Christianity in Asia.] London: Regnum Books (p 391 to 392)
  9. ^ a b c Anderson, Allan. (2004) An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. London: Cambridge University Press(p 131)
  10. ^ http://www.projectmosaic.info/about/ Bread of Life Makati
  11. ^ http://themeridian.edu.ph/history.html History of The Meridian
  12. ^ http://themeridian.edu.ph/visionmission.html
  13. ^ Anderson, Allan and Tang, Edmond. (2005) Asian and Pentecostal: the charismatic face of Christianity in Asia.] London: Regnum Books (p 394 to 395)
  14. ^ http://www.projectmosaic.info/2007/08/18/at-such-a-time-as-this/ Bread of Life Project Mosaic: At Such a Time as This
  15. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/news-events.html Kampilan Youth Ad
  16. ^ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=56571&publicationSubCategoryId=95 Chelsea Bernasconi of More than Medals Manila won on the World at Asian Junior Championship, April 17, 2008
  17. ^ http://www.creativefuturesinc.com/ Creative Futures, Inc.
  18. ^ - Bread of Life Headquarters Attendance
  19. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/church_dir2.php?directory=Manila
  20. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/church_dir2.php?directory=Luzon
  21. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/church_dir2.php?directory=Visayas
  22. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/church_dir2.php?directory=Mindanao
  23. ^ - Bread of Life USA: About Us
  24. ^ http://www.breadoflifeministriesinternational.org/church_dir2.php?directory2=international
  25. ^ http://www.breadoflifeusa.org/?q=livestream BOL USA Webcast
  26. ^ http://www.breadoflifeusa.org/?q=video_archives
  27. ^ http://www.pep.ph/celeb/weddings/12234/raymond-and-mia-long-lasting-love
  28. ^ http://ph.openrice.com/manila/restaurant/article/detail.htm?article_id=43
  29. ^ Cabaero, Nini B. "- E-mail hoax of the year", SunStar, Cebu November 14, 2004.
  30. ^ Pascual, Federico. "Post Script: Why use Faye to score political points vs gov't?" The Philippine Star, Manila, November 7, 2004
  31. ^ Sison, Jose. "A Law Each Day", The Philippine Star, Manila, November 5, 2004
  32. ^ Pascual, Federico. "Post Script", It's official and final: - Faye told us a Fairy Tale." The Philippine Star, Manila, November 14, 2004

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