Negros Occidental Conference Elementary Adventist Teachers Organization (NOCEATO) recently celebrated the successful inauguration of Pinggot Church, a project born out of an evangelistic campaign held in the mountainous barangay of Ilog in late 2024.
Pinggot was one of the barangays in the municipality of Ilog, in the province of Negros Occidental. It is a hilly, mountainous, and unentered area for evangelism.
In December 2024, evangelistic efforts were carried out over the course of a week at eight different locations in districts 3 to 5 of Kabankalan. Local teachers and guest speakers conducted the simultaneous events, braving through difficult weather conditions, including storms and floods.
During this time, more than 100 individuals accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, prompting the need for a local church.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new church took place on December 19, 2024, with Jerelyn Orquesta, the NOC education director, facilitating. She was inspired to initiate the church project after a newly baptized 10-year-old asked her, “Ma’am, where are we going to attend church? We don’t have a church here.”
These words burrowed deeply into the director’s mind, prompting her to find a location for the church project.
Finally, on August 16, 2025, the church was officially inaugurated, with significant participation from the whole district of Kabankalan 5, local NOC office workers, and key figures in educational leadership, including Lemuel Banday, education director for the Central Philippine Union Conference.
During the ceremony, teachers shared their experiences from the crusade, highlighting the power of faith and service within the community. “Every day, we should celebrate the goodness of God. We are co-laborers in the field of God,” Banday stated, emphasizing the collaborative effort that made the church a reality.
Orquesta expressed her gratitude to NOCEATO for funding the church project, as well as to all the donors and supporters involved. She acknowledged their collective role in spreading the good news of faith. “Let’s thank God in every way, for He is the source of everything,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.
The inauguration of Pinggot Church marks a significant milestone for the local community, providing a dedicated space for worship and spiritual growth.
By Stephanie Loriezo / Head Writer / Hope Channel Bacolod