PHILADELPHIA (BRN) – Appropriately located in the “city of brotherly love,” Philadelphia Bible Church International (PBCI) is staying true to its name by ministering to brothers and sisters in Christ from all nations, races, and ethnicities – right in their backyard.
“We named it Philadelphia Bible Church International because we’re situated in Philadelphia and then, ‘Bible,’ because that’s the element [and] the source of our faith and practice,” said Lead Pastor of PBCI Rev. Roger Manao.
“[It’s] ‘International’ because we gave it a ministry for internationals and the composition of the membership. Of course, majority we have Filipinos, a few Caucasians, Chinese, [and] we have African Americans as well, [all] a part of the ministry – so it becomes international.”
Being originally from the Philippines, Manao has always had a heart for his fellow Filipinos and other internationals to know Christ.
He came to the U.S. in 1991 and, not long after, started planting churches in the greater Philadelphia area – including Philadelphia Bible Church International.
“Because of my passion in church planting, I was encouraged by a friend in South Jersey to plant a church in Philadelphia. So, in a matter of maybe 28 years here – the greater Philadelphia area – I got involved in a church planting ministry [and] I planted four churches,” shared Manao.
In 2002, Manao planted Philadelphia Bible Church International in northeast Philly. He has been shepherding his multi-ethnic congregation there for the last 20 years.
“I had been in the U.S. for 10 years, and I thought I was just focusing on the Filipinos, but that’s what all the pastors have to understand. All of the Asian pastors, or other kinds of leaders, you are an ethnic leader [and] you have to be open to the Lord’s calling. When you accept that calling, you really have to understand that this becomes general,” said Manao.
He continued: “You will never design your ministry just to cater to your own race…you will open the door to anyone. Thank God, because for the past 20 years the Lord has really led us to reach out to internationals.”
Throughout the years at PBCI, the church has grown and cultivated various ministry opportunities.
“We have musical events during Easter season and Christmas season, we have camp, [and] we have youth and children’s ministry. Our young people are engaged in reaching students as well at the universities and they conduct Bible studies,” said Manao.
Manao shared that camp is an outreach opportunity they especially look forward to each year because of baptisms.
“Because we don’t have a baptistry, we look forward to having our baptisms during our camp. Last year, we were able to baptize five believers, despite the pandemic. We had almost 100 people and out of that 100 five believers committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, to follow him in water baptism. So, that’s one of the big events we look forward to every time,” said Manao.
PBCI hosts the camp at the end of July as a Summer ministry. In the winter, the church puts on an annual Christmas Cantata for the entire community.
This year, the church held two performances of the cantata in December.
“It was well attended, Praise God for the gospel presentation. So many unbelievers attended because PBCI does the cantata every year [and] everyone looks forward to it,” said Manao.
After the cantata, the church provided a meal for its guests, which is a tradition in the Filipino culture, according to Manao.
“Our kind of culture always provides food, that’s how we do it. All of the families will bring food and we will feed – even [having] 200-300 people attend the cantata. They will be blessed [by] the messages of the songs and after that we provide free dinner…this is us, this is part of our culture,” said Manao.
Heading into 2022, Rev. Manao and the members of PBCI hope to continue welcoming Filipinos and other internationals, sharing the one true gospel that transcends every language and every generation.
“A lot of things still need to be done and still a lot of Filipinos are in darkness. They’re lost and that’s our heart, that we never get side tracked from that mission and that calling,” said Manao.
“One thing you have to realize, if you are an ethnic pastor, [is] the next generation is no longer speaking your language or your dialect. They have already been introduced to the American culture. Really, the moment you begin your ministry in the U.S., not only will you be thinking of other nationalities, but about the second [and] third generations.”
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The “50 Stories of Transformation” series, told in honor of the Baptist Resource Network’s 50th anniversary, highlights the many ways God has moved throughout Pennsylvania, South Jersey and beyond. Your generous support of the Cooperative Program makes this ministry possible and fuels evangelism and outreach in our local churches and all over the world! Thank you!
