Truly, it is as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29,
“But
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”
Who would think that an overseas domestic worker and a hair-stylist could make an impact in the kingdom of God? Yet after returning from Singapore as an Overseas Contract Worker, Victoria Gabe, who was brought by her sister to Evangel Family Church Cagayan de Oro, sensing the urgency of God’s call upon her life immediately enrolled at the Evangel Missions School.
Immediately after graduating she began a pioneering work in Naawan, a town next to Manticao on December 19, 1999. The house-church was located at the back of the town market. And though she was the only churchplanter assigned there at that time,
she was nonetheless grateful to the Lord for the strength and protection as she went about her ministry singlehandedly.
After one month of intensive evangelism, prayer and fasting, God gave her eight willing families who opened their homes for Bible studies. On February 2000 they started the very first worship service in their fellowship center with an attendance of 13 adults and 4 children. Yes, God’s faithfulness was evident in her life and ministry! And as the congregation steadily grew, she began looking for a more suitable place to accommodate the flock. She managed to find a house along the national highway that could accommodate her growing congregation. But somehow, she realized that the location of the church was not accessible to most of their members. In time they finally settled in a nearby area situated in the town of Manticao.
Realizing her need for additional help, she requested for her two sisters to come over from Cagayan de Oro City, with the permission of her Pastors. Her youngest sister, Analiza, who assisted part-time came and assisted her every weekend for the praise and worship. In addition, her regional pastors also released her sister Edwina, who was then a part-time churchplanter in Cagayan de Oro city, to help her in the work as a fulltime churchplanter.
She praised God for her sister Edwina, who willingly gave up her hairdressing salon to go fulltime. Realizing her sister’s skills, they launched out to begin a livelihood program in one of the barangays they we are reaching out to. Edwina then conducted free hair-trim and manicure for all interested parties, and shared to them the gospel after every session.
To date, they have pioneered other outstation works in Bukana and Manticao. The Bukana Outstation started, after a film showing crusade was conducted there on March 2002. Considered to be a stronghold of witchcraft and idolatry. Many other religious organizations, have tried to penetrate this locale to no avail. Yet for Sis Edwina Gabe, despite the background of this place, God’s purpose and love in her heart for the lost prevailed upon logic. Though a vast majority resisted her efforts at evangelism, yet from this initial crusade they were able to make contact with one receptive family (Belicaryo family). In time her persistence and prayers finally paid off. At present, many among those who staunchly opposed her have come to the salvation knowledge of Christ!
Through prayer and fasting, God also extended the territory of EFC Manticao, reaching out to the center of Initao. With the help of faithful EFC Manticao youths, they saturated the different barangays in this town, conducting campus ministry for High School Students. They also reached out to the disabled, such as the blind and deaf, that consequently led Sis Edwina Gabe to learn sign language, to clearly communicate the gospel to the deaf in this area.
They also have outstations in Initao, Canitoan. Which first started as a Bible study in the residence of one family - sister of Sis Neneng Aklob (a faithful member of EFC Manticao). As the people were motivated by the word of God, they begun inviting other relatives and individuals, and not long after the church started to double. Many among them backsliders and outright sinners, even the former Kagawad of this barangay became a faithful member of EFC Initao, Canitoan Church. To accommodate this growing congregation, Pas Vicky Gabe challenged them to give and volunteer in the construction of a nipa and bamboo structured church. As a result, one member voluntarily donated his lot, while some other members contributed assistance in the form of money or construction materials.
Serving the Lord in churchplanting is challenging and rewarding. God’s promise in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” stands true. On one occasion they visited one of her church member’s daughter who was suffering from high fever. She died right in front of them during their visit. While everyone was in a commotion, Pastor Vicky prayed to the Lord not to shame them in front of the unbelievers surrounding them. For almost ten minutes, they continued praying and the Lord gave her instruction to breathe mouth to mouth upon the girl. To God be the glory, the girl regained life and is now serving the Lord faithfully! Pastor Vicky Gabe truly praises God for using her and her sisters to build His Kingdom! To God be all the glory!!!