adapted from the written script of the speech of Rev. Domingo Familara, "My Life's Journey" In 1971 after interviewing the graduating students from Romblon and Mindoro of Foursquare Bible College in Manila, I was surprised that only two of them had decided to take pastoral appointment in their own district and other have different plans and decisions. That puzzled me. Why a change in their burden and vision after they personally testified that they are called of God. I believe that it is not God's will for them to change plans and decisions because the Bible says: "For God's gifts and His call can never be withdrawn" (Rom. 11:29) and that "it is He who saved us and chose us for His holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was His plan long before the world began" (II Tim. 1:9).
From thereon, I fervently prayed, "Lord, if it is Thy will that we establish a Bible College in Odiongan, Thy will be done." Sometime in 1974 through a vision, I saw a graduating class in their uniform marching inside Odiongan Foursquare Gospel Church. I shared that vision to the General Supervisor, and he positively confirmed that it is God's will. It didn't took long, he informed me that he started to get financial assistance for the project. When I meet Rev. Loop in Manila, I invited him to have itinerary in some churches within the Romblon-Mindoro District. He enjoyed his stay with the district and I shared to him the vision with encouragement that churches would hep us financially to establish the school and support it and its students. I asked him, "Could you consider consider after your term in Hong Kong to be the director of Odiongan Foursquare Bible College?" while showing him the architectural plan of the school. Praise the Lord!, he responded positively and in the early part of 1975 his family arrived in Odiongan. With the approval of Rev. Jose Danganan classed of OFBC were offered in Odiongan Foursquare Gospel Church. By faith, believing that God will give us a lot for the school, God moved the heart of of the Irao's and offered a lot in Poctoy, Odiongan, Romblon where the school is currently located. Praise the Lord!, the brethren from San Andres to Looc help to level the parcel for many days. We invited Rev. Felipe Ferrez as our guest speaker and the General Supervisor as well as church members and pastors to witness the ground-breaking for the school building. Proving that God would supply all our financial needs, the later part of 1976, a facility worth PhP245,000.00 was started to be constructed that could accommodate eighty students. About the end of April of 1977, the construction was finished but not painted. On May 1977, we held a Layman's Institute with sixty-two registered students. Most of those who graduated in this institute are now successful pastors and leaders. Motivated by the success of the Layman's Institute, regular ministerial classes were held in June 1977. Young peoples from Negros, Panay, Masbate, Romblon, Mindoro, and Palawan enrolled with the new Bible College. From then on, graduates of the school were scattered in Luzon, Bicol, Palawan, West Visayas, Romblon, Mindoro, and other parts of the world. Praise the Lord! this is the answer to our fervent prayers that the Lord will supply workers in the harvest.
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