Between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.
[Adapted from “Ministers, Migrants,” David Howlett, May/June 2018 Herald, pp. 28–30]
The sacred story of Community of Christ in the Philippines begins with migrants who became ministers. In the 1930s, Potenciano Carino traveled to the U.S. West Coast, working as a migrant crop worker. While in Oregon, he joined the Church of God, 7th Day. Upon returning to the Philippines, he became the ministerial overseer for that church. Years later, his cousin Benito Maliwat migrated to Independence, Missouri, where he joined a new church and began sending literature to Potenciano. After much debate, Potenciano and other ministers reached out to Benito’s new church, which was Community of Christ.
In March 1966, Potenciano and three other Church of God, 7th Day ministers joined Community of Christ. Over the following years, the church grew among their extended families and close friends, creating a network of Filipino priesthood members. This network would prove crucial when Potenciano’s friend, Alfredo De Guzman, a charismatic preacher in Dingading, joined Community of Christ with his congregation.
When the Philippine government issued an evacuation order in 1972 due to the ongoing conflict, the Dingading congregation was forced to leave. Alfredo, along with Marci De Guzman, contacted Apostle Charles Neff and the World Church Bishopric to form a non-profit cooperative to help resettle the congregation in Simimbaan, a village far from the war zone. This effort led to the creation of CORD (Community One Resource Development), which secured $25,000 from the World Church Oblation Fund to provide low-interest loans to displaced families. With this support, families bought land and began anew in Simimbaan.
By 1974, 20 families had settled in Simimbaan, growing rice with the help of agricultural advice and seedlings. The early years were difficult, but the community gradually became self-sufficient. They met in Alfredo’s modest home, and from this, the Simimbaan Congregation was born—one of the largest Community of Christ congregations in the Philippines.
By the 1990s, with economic changes and migration increasing, many Filipino church members worshipped in other countries, such as Los Angeles, Toronto, and Madrid. In fact, Filipino members helped establish the Madrid Congregation.
These stories of migration and community-building inspire us to consider how we can create new possibilities for priesthood ministry and support for those displaced or seeking new beginnings.
Prayer Phrase
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor…” (Romans 13:10).
Community Action
Organize legal clinics that provide free or low-cost legal assistance to undocumented migrants. Establish support groups where undocumented migrants can share their experiences and receive emotional support. Educate your community about the challenges faced by undocumented migrants and the importance of supporting them.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.