bahrain christian fellowship

Pastor Ninoy dela Cruz is an associate pastor looking after BCF-Area 5. His area includes Khamis, Sehla, Janussan, Budaiya, Barbar, Diraz, Bani Jamra. He has been with BCF since 1988. I started attending Bahrain Christian Fellowship (BCF) in January 1988, which was then held at the Holy Trinity Chapel in Juffair.

For almost a year and a half, I was simply attending worship services, with no commitments to any Bible study. In the middle of 1989, I recommitted myself to the Lord and started attending the Homebuilders Fellowship — a family ministry of BCF. I also attended a Bible study group at Assuman Garden led by Pastor Pablo Pacudan. At this stage, I was encouraged and motivated seeing the lives of brethren who showed their love and care for me and my family. Then, on the evening of January 1990, at the Home Builders Fellowship, my wife and I gave a 30-minute long testimony. During the testimony, I opened my life to the Lord regarding shortcomings, my past sins, my failures and how God rescued us and showed His love to us. We also opened up our plans and desires so that they could pray for us.

For me, that evening of January 1990 was memorable. That was the time God opened doors of opportunities for me. From then on, God showed me through dreams a vision of myself fishing and of Him showing me a place to go. In my dreams, He showed me these Bible verses — Romans 9:11-16, Ephesians 1:4-7 and Zechariah 3:6-7.

In the ensuing weeks, a seminar on Bible teaching was conducted, and I joined the group immediately. A seminar on evangelism and on praise and worship followed. I attended almost all the seminars at BCF. Soon, I was called to join the General Services Ministry. I accepted it, and I served faithfully. I then served as a driver in the Transport Ministry. I was subsequently endorsed as a deacon of the church.

After completing the Bible-teaching seminar, I was given a chance to give an exhortation on prayer. I also began to teach at a Bible study.

In July 1993, our company retrenched 50% of its staff. I was the only Filipino staff retained. So, I asked God: “Why did you keep me here? What is your plan for me?” Then I gathered my family to pray, thank God and seek His will for us. After our prayer my wife said, “God has a plan to use you.” It was later confirmed by Pastor Pablo Pacudan, who at that time was my mentor. He told my wife, “Sister Lory, you have to prepare yourself because your husband is going to be used by God.” I was thrown speechless.

Again, I turned to God: “Lord, tell me what to do? How could I be well equipped for the ministry you want me to do?” In 1993, the International Prayer and Fellowship Association (IPFA) Seminary of USA opened an extension class in Bahrain. It was difficult for me to decide to enter the Bible School because of the unstable situation at work, so my immediate concern was for the needs of my family. I waited for God’s confirmation for almost a year, while thinking aloud to God, “I could serve you, Lord, without necessarily becoming a pastor, couldn’t I?” However, God provided the finances for the seminary and even for my children’s school fees. I completed my two-year Associate of Theology. At the same time, I was endorsed as an elder of BCF. I later completed my Bachelor of Theology. To enhance leadership skills, I attended the Advance Leadership Training Course for one month at Haggai Institute in Maui, Hawaii.

In 1997, The BCF Church Board decided to subdivide Bahrain into seven areas, which paved the way for the installation and ordination of 14 pastors. I looked after Area 5 for almost three years before I was moved to Area 7, which I serve for another three years and then back to Area 5.

My immediate plans for Area 5 is to see trained cell leaders and evangelism team for area outreach and more Bible study centers within the area.