MORENO HILLS SDA CHURCH: This is Our Story
(Updated December 10, 2006)
Time of Conception
In 1993 the Loma Linda Filipino Church (LLFC) of Seventh-day Adventists had a vision to expand its congregational territory south of Loma Linda. As they moved ahead with this goal in mind under the leadership of Pastor Eben Aguirre, possibilities were explored, project studies were done, and God’s guidance was sought through prayers. Later on, indications seemed to point towards the feasibility of establishing a new church in the city of Moreno Valley.
As of January 1, 2006, Moreno Valley has population of 174, 565. It is California’s sixth fastest-growing city, and the second most populous in Riverside County. According to the 2000-US census, which the most current, Moreno Valley has 3, 968 Filipino residents.
In May of 1993, LLFC assigned Pastor Florante Yulip to begin the church expansion project in Moreno Valley. The project was referred to by the acronym FORM—Filipino Outreach Ministry. Pastor Yulip was on a dual mission: first, to gather the Adventist Filipinos in the area; and second, to reach out the sizable non-Adventist Filipino community with evangelistic programs. His wonderfully supportive family—wife Emilia and children Lizell, Peter Mark, and Lynne—joined him. Ate Mel, as Mrs. Yulip is fondly called, is known for her hospitality and food preparation skills at various church functions. The children also enhanced their father’s ministry through their musical talents.
As a considerable group of Adventists in the area was gathered, a major breakthrough occurred when a request was made to the pastor of the Moreno Valley SDA Church, Pastor Arnold Trujillo, to adopt the “infant church” comprised of Filipino members. This group felt being welcomed, cared for, and nurtured under the wings of the Moreno Valley SDA Church. After several months, the infant group of believers made an effort to be weaned from its adoptive mother.
Time of Infancy
In early 1994, due to the gracious hospitality and accommodating nature of Asher and Mira Reyes, a decision was made to congregate in their lovely home located at 21670 Calle Prima. The pioneering members of the FORM were the following: Dr. Jaime and Mrs. Luz Arcilla; Frank Concepcion; Dr. Michael and Mrs. Chiqui De La Cruz; Jasper, Rose, and Jonathan Diaz; Rolly, Carmen, Jonathan Gomez, and Kristine Cabote; Juan and Rosenia Lansang; Francisca La Magna; Rhona and Rochelle Magnaye; Alex, Mila, Brian, Paul, and Mark Murillo; Carol Mary, Matthew and DeGee Belonio; Asher, Mira, Jeff, and Cheston Reyes; Joseph and Wilma Romano; Arnie Vince Cruz; Lorna Soco; and the Yulips.
Time of Youth
Shortly after, the group’s number increased. A larger place for worship was needed. On February 19, 1994, Dr. Jaime and Luz Arcilla opened their home and Lifestyle Center located at 28985 Locust Avenue for the group’s house of worship. With a variety of Christ-centered programs and activities, more members were attracted to join the group.
In April of 1994 Southeastern California Conference officially recognized these believers as an affiliate group of the Loma Linda Filipino SDA Church. There was an enormous inspiration to share the good news to the community that in 1994 alone, some $ 3,000-worth of religious books were purchased and were distributed to different homes in the city.
August 20, 1994 saw the fruits of their labor when their first baptism was held. What a sense of fulfillment the occasion gave them! Frank Concepcion and Russell Hendricks were indeed the first fruits of the group’s missionary undertaking. Praises ascended to the Lord for the decision of these spiritual babes to be baptized!
Time of Young Adulthood
On January 4, 1995 the decision was made to temporarily meet in the home of Dr. Michael and Mrs. Chiqui De La Cruz at 12085 Heacock Street. And while the group was worshiping in the De La Cruz home, the nurturing of believers and the outreach programs continued at the Arcilla Lifestyle Center. As a result of this, more individuals were added to the group.
Now, finding a place that will afford them more space for worship became a serious concern. Two solutions were suggested: (1) to rent a suitable place, or (2) to purchase a property where they could build a church. Each member sought the Lord’s guidance by praying daily at 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M. With supplications from many humble hearts, God answered their prayers.
Five months later, in June, God provided the group with a 2.18-acre lot located at 14390 Oliver Street which has small buildings on the property. Men and women, children and seniors, labored together for six days to make one of the buildings suitable for a place of worship. On June 24, 1995, the group began to use the new location with delight. Everyone felt without a doubt that the property was certainly God-given. Now they had a place where they could worship and give praise and honor to God’s name and where the spiritual nurturing of one another could be enhanced.
A little over a year, on July 6, 1996, the group was installed by the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as a “company” and was thereby referred to as the Moreno Hills Filipino Company.
March 1997 was a devastating time for this young and small company of believers. The beloved Church Pastor Florante Yulip passed away. The fatal heart attack that was held at bay for fifteen years since his ailing heart was first diagnosed had caught up with him. His leadership during the early years of the group provided each one a deeper love for the Lord. Thus, his death brought about significant camaraderie and cohesion among themselves.
His death was a painful loss of a friend and a leader. Now, the members needed to find another one to pastor them. While the Lord reminded these grieving believers that God was still their True Shepherd, the incessant question was: “Who would take Pastor Yulip’s place?” The subject of the members’ prayers was that God would send them a new shepherd immediately. And He answered the prayers six months later by sending Pastor Abel Cordero, an “able lamb,”—just what his name means to the group.
Time to Full-Maturity
The growing company of believers was a welcome challenge for the new pastor. Being a relatively small congregation, the salary of the pastor had to be shared equally by its members and other donors and by the conference—fifty-fifty. Two and a half years later, because of the group’s tithe income advancement the conference assumed the full salary of the pastor. Pastor Cordero brought with him his family—wife Beth and his children, John Oscar and Ledy Ann. They have been a valuable asset and an inspiration to the fledgling company of believers. God has since blessed the Moreno Hills Filipino Company in various ways by sending the Cordero family.
From June 25 through July 3, 1999 some 15 youth and juniors and 10 adults held a series of Bible/Health evangelistic meetings in Sta Cruz, Laguna in the Philippines. As a result, 118 precious individuals were baptized. It was an exhausting experience but delightful, nonetheless. The experiences of the team were a mixture of exhilaration and motivation for soul-winning.
The busy activities on Sabbath days may have alarmed the neighbors that in January 2000 a directive from the city came that the property had to be improved for safe gatherings. This brought the group into a prayerful discussion on whether to build there a modest-size church building or to sell it to purchase another location. The group voted for the latter option. Fifteen days later, that property was sold out.
From that time on the group met at a rented facility owned by Grace Episcopal Church located at 11349 Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley.
The group reached a milestone in January 6, 2001 when it was installed as “church” in status and was officially designated as the Moreno Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church. With its new status, the church members felt more the sobering need for continuing the ministerial work they started. They felt that their early attempts for evangelism should continue with even greater fervor!
Thus, more mission trips to the Philippines had been conducted---June 2001 was in Ballesteros, Cagayan. June 2003 was in Daet, Camarines Norte, January 2004 was in Baguio City, July 2006 was in Lucban, Quezon, and August 2006 was in Davao City.
Back home in Moreno Valley, two evangelistic meetings were held in hotel conference rooms. One of them resulted to the baptism of five valuable individuals.
November 20, 2001 is a memorable date to the young church. A 3.01-acre parcel of land, nestling at the foot of a hill, overlooking the valley, was purchased in cash for a bargain price of $ 117, 000.00.
Years later there arose the need for more worship and study rooms that Grace Episcopal Church facility cannot provide. Shortly after, in October 1, 2005, the Lord made it possible for the Moreno Valley district president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to approve the use of their chapel located at 13281 Lasselle Street.
The Time Ahead
Currently, with 144 members, the challenge of building a presentable church looms before us such a daunting task. But it’s a dream of a church building that could also be used as an evangelistic center. We believe that in God’s own time and way He will grant this as a reward to a church family that understands our church’s purpose and mission, that is, to carry out the gospel commission primarily in Moreno Valley and then elsewhere and also preparing each one and others for the soon return of Jesus Christ.
The pen of inspiration through Ellen G. White writes, “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing” (Ministry of Healing p. 481). The generous Lord can channel to everyone who asks the material blessings stored in His rich repository. He may not bestow each one with an equal amount nor does He expect each one to give an equal amount. He does expect, though, that each member of the Moreno Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church would be willing to equally have the spirit of sacrifice in making life-changing financial contribution to the noble project of putting up God’s church building in Moreno Valley. As a matter of fact, God, through every single person here, can make this dream a reality!—Abel Cordero