OUR HISTORY
The story of New Millennium Evangelical Church is actually God’s story—a story of how He called, set apart and gathered a group of believers for His name’s sake.
From Him, Through Him, For Him
(A Look Back at 20 Years of God’s Faithfulness)
He who started a good work in you will be faithful not only to sustain but also to complete and make perfect what was began. The story of New Millennium Evangelical Church is actually God’s story—a story of how He called, set apart and gathered a group of believers for His name’s sake. As we celebrate twenty years of God’s goodness and faithfulness in writing this story, let us once again reminisce and remember how it all started, how God worked, is working and will continue to work in each one of us individually and together corporately (as one body). And as He continues to weave this tapestry that is NMEC’s future, we look forward with hope and expectation at the glorious chapters to be written ahead.
Called by God
The early church got a jumpstart when the Holy Spirit descended upon the gathering of a group of Christ-followers after Jesus’ resurrection. In September of 1999, God also gave a gathered group of believers a common vision and desire to establish a “renewing” church. As they prayed together, He revealed more and more of Himself and His plans. This shared revelation from God has become the vision of N-M-E-C.
The story of New Millennium Evangelical Church is actually God’s story—a story of how He called, set apart and gathered a group of believers for His name’s sake.
Just as God gave Abraham the promise of a land, a nation or a people and spiritual blessings, He also gave these to His church. On June 25, year 2000, the formation of the New Millennium Evangelical Church was officially announced. The name was chosen because of its founding in the new millennium. The next day, the church was formally incorporated. Barely a month later, on July 12, the first prayer meeting was held. This was followed by the inaugural worship service on October 8. For posterity’s sake, the worshippers that day were asked to leave behind colorful palm prints. These actually became reminders of God’s hand all throughout NMEC’s story in the years to come.
Not only the people, God also blessed His church with a 1600-square meter lot in the heart of Malate. And as more and more co-workers commit to our God-given vision, His spiritual blessings continue to pour down upon His church.
Land – People – Blessings.
Dedicated to God
Through the years, God also called together a group of servants to serve in His sanctuary. Ministering together with a team of able co-workers who selflessly dedicated their time, spiritual gifts and resources, together, they advance the work of His Kingdom. God’s guidance and anointing are upon them as they carry out the original purposes of the church—to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through His greatest commandment (to love God and to love others) and in the end, to ascribe all the glory to Him.
Today, as we rededicate our church sanctuary to our Founder, Jesus Christ, we also rededicate “our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is [our] spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).
Sustained by God
When the early church continued to meet, pray and share the Gospel, the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:47). In the same way, as NMEC members continue to meet, pray and reach out, God began to grow her ministries. From the first rehearsal of the New Millennium Sanctuary Choir on August 5, 2000 to the first Sunday School class thereafter, NMEC’s budding ministries continue to sprout. These were followed subsequently by the 1st New Millennium Enrichment Camp during the Holy Week of 2001 and the 1st Vacation Bible School in May of that same year.
From one milestone to the next, the Lord continues to expand her church. Soon, regular ministries across all age groups were started—Bong Un Ministry to Seniors, Joshua and Women’s Ministry, BizPro Ministry, Junior Worship Service, small group discipleship ministry, NMEC Cherubim, New Millennium Male Chorale, sports ministry, medical consultation ministry, and more recently, NMEC Kids’ Worship and discipleship, ENGAGE Youth Fellowship and the Joyful Hope Counseling Ministry.
Just as the early church was called to go out of their comfort zone to multiply God’s Kingdom work, NMEC was also called to step out of her borders to reach more people for God’s name. The first church plant—NMEC Metro North—held its inaugural worship service in July 2014. This was followed by the Mandarin-speaking worship service one year after (in September 2015). Now, at twenty, the peak of her growing-up years, NMEC continues to aim at greater heights for God’s glory.
Shining for God
God blessed His church, not for her own sake, but for her to be a blessing to others.
The vision God has given us is not confined to the four walls of our church structure. We are called to take His Gospel to the ends of the earth. Today, God is using NMEC to be His hands and feet to reach not only Metro Manila (through our urban poor and livelihood outreaches), and our nation (through our short-term mission trips, church-supported local missionaries as well as our new church plant in Northern Samar) but also our world. With partner ministries in Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, and soon in Bhutan, Tibet and Pakistan, we are heeding His call to be the salt and light to shine for Him among unreached people groups across the globe.
Today, it is with thanksgiving that we celebrate our 20th founding anniversary. Since our inaugural worship service on October 8, 2000, until today, from our humble beginnings at Dasma Corporate Center to our present worship venue, God’s grace has been more than sufficient for our needs. In the past two decades, He has done immeasurably more than we have ever asked or imagined. As we look forward to the challenges and opportunities in the future, we boldly declare that we won’t go unless God’s presence is with us and that He goes before us. And as the return of our Master and our church’s Founder, Jesus Christ, draws nearer, may we remain faithful to finish the task that He has entrusted to us. May we seize every opportunity to attempt greater things for Him. May the same passion that ignited our hearts 20 years ago, compel us to unite together to take hold of our present in order to blaze a trail for our glorious future!