About

Current Pastor: Rev. Evie A. Laraño

History
In 1955 Rev. and Mrs. James Edward Blount, American Assemblies of God missionaries, arrived in Cebu City. In no time, they ministered to a small crowd under a mango tree on the campus of the present Immanuel Bible College in Banawa, Cebu City. They soon moved to Delgado Building in Sanciangko and Climaco Streets and called the congregation Cebu Revival Center. On Sept. 5, 1955 of that year, the church was formally inaugurated.

From 1959 to 1962, different servants of God took turns pastoring the church while teaching at Immanuel Bible Institute – Rev. and Mrs. Leslie Bedell, Rev. and Mrs. Ernest Reb, Rev. and Mrs. Calvin Zeissler, Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Morocco, and Rev. Eleonor M. Johnson. It was during the time of Rev. Ernest Reb, who only pastored the church for five months, that the church building was constructed at the present site in B. Rodriguez Street. The church was dedicated on July 19, 1959.

In 1962 to 1966, Rev. and Mrs. Stanley Faulkner pastored the church. When the Faulkners left the church, the pastorate of Cebu Bethel Temple changed hands to Filipino ministers. Rev. Cresencio Tandog pastored the church in 1966, followed by Rev. Michael and Mrs. Arlene Pilapil in 1971. After leaving the church for Hawaii in February 1976, Rev. Jordan Abellano carried on the responsibility for one year. Rev. Roque Cagas Sr., then the District Superintendent of Visayas-Northern Mindanao District, supervised the church functions in a transitory capacity until Rev. Stanley and Mrs. Edna Pilapil pastored the church in April, 1979. They served the church for 14 years (including 2 years on leave). During their term (in 1988), the church building expanded to now have a balcony.

In March 1993, Rev. Oriel and Mrs. Raquel Dumanon formally took over the church as pastors. It was during their time that Cebu Bethel Temple (in 1995), with the help of the CVLL District, started the Church Planters Bible Institute to train new ministers and at the same time plant new congregations. By March 2001, 34 churches have been established or helped established by the students and alumni of CPBI (43 churches by March 2003). In February 2001, Cebu Bethel Temple became a partner with Compassion International, serving some 165 needy kids and their families.

On August of 2007, the Dumanon family moved on to pioneer and plant churches in the United States. During this transition period, Evangelist Dwight Palmquist serves as Bethel Temple’s interim pastor. Everyone in church prays and patiently waits for Bethel’s next Filipino pastor. Bethel Temple is God’s and He will provide His annointed one!