An interview with Rev Virgilio Fabales
Evangel Dao in Antique is considered one of the mission works initially pioneered by JECPP in February of 1992. Under the leadership of Pas. Virgilio and Pas. Lilibeth Fabales, the Antique section unitedly has grown to become a potent influence to reckon with, aggressive in their missions undertaking this side of Panay.
Rev. Virgilio Fabales is known to have come from the wrong side of the tracks. Yet despite his notorious ways, God picked him up and raised him as an envoy of His gospel. And as God incessantly molded and shaped his life…who knows? The rebel turned into a saint. Here’s how it all began…
Q: When did you realize you were called by God?
A: I vividly recall, it was the moment I was filled in the Holy Spirit in 1987. An inner conviction somehow caused an awareness within me to believe God had a special plan for my life. And the earlier mission outreaches conducted by Evangel Iloilo in which I participated, helped me realize this was my calling…missions. Not long after that, I enrolled in Evangel Mission School, afterwhich I was sent to pioneer the church in Dao in 1992.
Q: How would you assess your early pioneering years?
A: A great challenge. Since Antiquenos are a people fiercely devoted to their Catholic faith. There was a time when persecution was so severe we were left with no one but our Sunday School kids as our congregation. At the same time, Dao is the center of all witchcraft and sorcery in Antique, and many times we were under the brunt of their ire. It was evidently a spiritual battle, and in the end we still were victorious through Jesus Christ. At present those Sunday school kids who remained have matured to become our present lay leaders and workers. And those witches don’t bother us anymore. Still, all things work together for good.
Q: Was there a time when you ever thought of giving up?
A: There was this one instance when a group of overseas contract workers attending our church, questioned our principles of tithing and questioned our leadership. Their divisiveness cause a severe split in our church, causing many to fall away. There was so much bitterness and unforgiveness within me against this group, that it manifested in many ways. In my dealings with my family and congregation as well. It took time for me to surrender all hurts to the Lord and learn to forgive those who have offended me. In the end I realized He is Sovereign over every situation, no matter how wearisome it may be.
Q: What is the focus of your ministry now?
A: We really desire for our church to break through the hundred mark. Though in the last 12 years, with God’s help we have attained a congregation of seventy, we are not fully satisfied with this attendance. Also, our attention is in broadening our outreach especially in San Jose, Antique. We have 7 outstation works and we want to see more of these put up in the following years. Presently we are involved in the Church Planting Concept, and that is assisting other Pentecostal churches on the principles of evangelism and discipleship, through seminars and crusades.