Word Christian Fellowship Int’l (aka WIN- New Jersey started with a vision of a church in Central New Jersey where Filipino-Americans can worship the Lord Jesus Christ.  A Filipino couple (Edgar & Sonia) began praying for a pastor to come.  Eventually that burden was shared with other Filipino Christian friends. They safeguarded the vision closely and deeply in their hearts and waited patiently for the time when God would bring this vision into fruition.

In the Philippines, a Filipino pastor (Mando) and his family were preparing to move to the United States to pursue better opportunities for their children. His wife, Ces, was hired by a microfinance organization based in New York City.  It was a leap of faith for the family. They were leaving behind the comfort, security and support provided by a growing and stable church and jumping into the unknown.

Upon arriving in America, the pastor and his family settled in Princeton which is known for its blue-ribbon schools, both at the elementary and high school levels. They knew nobody in the area except for two cousins.  But God, of course, had other plans.

Three months into their stay in New Jersey, Ptr. Mando received a call from Edgar.  It turns out that Edgar’s wife, Sonia, and Remy (Ces’ cousin) were former officemates.  Remy told Sonia about Ces and her pastor-husband.  So Edgar invited Ptr. Mando to hold a Bible study in their home.  It was Wednesday evening, August 18, 1999.  More than 15 people came for that first meeting.  This initial meeting, however, would become a weekly gathering.

Through the Bible studies, the faith of the group grew.  Special occasions (e.g., birthdays) and holidays (e.g., Christmas) became opportunities to meet other Filipinos in the Princeton area.  Summer picnics, monthly home fellowships were just some of the regular activities held by the group.  Slowly their number increased and relationships developed.

A breakthrough came in Jan. 2001 when the petition for Ptr. Mando as a religious worker was approved.  God gave the go-signal.  The first WIN church in New Jersey can now be started!

The core group was convened.  Plans for the first worship service were laid.  A worship venue had to be found.  Musicians and worship leaders had to be trained.  Instruments and other equipment had to be purchased.

One by one, the Lord took care of the needs.  God led the group to the Suzanne Patterson Senior Center at the heart of Princeton Borough; an ideal place for the first worship services.  One member brought his keyboard; another two their guitars.  A mixer-amplifier, speakers and microphones were bought.  Singers volunteered to lead in worship.  Some more said they’ll take care of the children; and of welcoming; and of cooking; and of serving, etc.  Truly God was more than enough.

One worship service was held in May; followed by another in June; then two in July.  Finally in August, weekly services were started.  On August 12, WCFI held a post-inaugural worship service at the Hyatt Hotel with Ray-An Fuentes as guest speaker. That day over 100 people attended with 10 accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  WCFI had won its first souls for Christ!

Since then, WCFI has set up and broken tent a few times, moving from one place to another.  It’s been tough bringing in, putting up, taking down, and bringing home the equipment every Sunday.  But with the able support of committed believers, the church has managed through all these years.

The task of seeking out and bringing to the Lord our fellow Filipinos in the Greater Princeton area seems formidable.  But let’s not forget that our God is far greater than any endeavor that He has called us to do.  No obstacle is too big to prevent us from accomplishing God’s purposes.

Our desire is to provide a place where we can worship the Lord; bring our loved ones and friends to the saving knowledge of Christ; and enjoy the fellowship of one another in our new home away from home.  God is honoring that desire today through WCFI.

God’s work in this part of the world has just begun.  Let’s “go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my (God’s) house will be full."      (Luke 14:23)