by Lito Roldan
Good Shepherd Community Church (GSCC) will commemorate on Oct. 3 its fifth year of existence with fitting ceremonies on the theme “God’s Faithfulness” in thanksgiving to the Lord whose loving care has given the church strength to weather all the trials and challenges it has faced since inception.
The special Sunday service will include a video presentation giving a glimpse of GSCC’s history, personal testimonies by some members essaying on the anniversary theme and publication of a newsletter marking the occasion.
Over the last 5 years, Pastor Virgil Fernando said the church has witnessed God’s faithfulness as He orchestrated and blessed the assembly with a working structural organization that has enabled the church to reach the community, one life at a time. “Five years is a significant milestone in the existence of the church as God continues to partner with His children in ministering to the surrounding communities,” he added. “God’s glory and presence remains in this church as witnessed and experienced among those whose lives have been transformed and those whose lives have been regenerated and continued to grow and mature in their work with Christ.”
He said the humility, unity and love that has bound the community as well as the culture and DNA that have been developed in this church are proofs God’s faithfulness has been at work.
The next 5 years, he said, will be focused in training and equipping church ministries in reaching out to the community one life at a time – ministries taking the church to the community instead of the community coming to the church. Included in this plan is the acquisition of a facility that will be managed and operated by GSCC staff.
Since Oct. 2, 2005, GSCC has been holding services at the Gathering Hall of North Valley Christian Fellowship Church. Founded that year by a group of believers, the assembly held its first services attended by some 30 worshippers at the living room of the Fernando residence at Ruby Drive, San Jose. On the second week they chose to name the church Good Shepherd Community Church (GSCC). Services on the third and fourth weeks were held at the Cantos’ residence at Milpitas.
