A Brief History of Servants of Christ Church

In 1993, Joel Balona and Melinda Penales were joined together in marriage in Manila.  Joel was working for an American company with a branch based in Japan.  Melinda, who is better known as Butch, has a heart for missions.  After their marriage, the couple resided in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa ken.  The couple became acquainted with a number of Filipino women married to Japanese.  Butch held Bible studies with these women, who later on came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.  At first, the Balonas encouraged these women to attend Misono Baptist Church, a Japanese congregation.  There, they became aware of the importance of being in a local church.  After recognizing their unique needs, the Japanese Christians encouraged them to start their own church.  In 1994, the small group of Filipinos met for worship as a group which became the Servants of Christ Church. 

At first, they met as a house church, but as they grew, they began to look for a more strategic place near the train station.  With the help of concerned Japanese Christians, they found a space at the YMCA building in Sagamiono.  There, they met for a number of years.  Sis. Butch Balona did most of the pastoral work during the early stage of SCC.

In 1995, Pastor Rolando Lacaba was called to be the minister of SCC.  The church continued to grow and more people became believers as a result of diligent prayer and Bible studies. 

SCC went through a difficult time when it was without an official pastor for almost two years.  Attendance fell, but those who remained continued to serve faithfully and prayed for a new pastor.  In the spring of 2002, after 18 years of ministry in the Philippines, Pastor Mario Umali was installed as the new minister for SCC.  He serves along with his wife Ruth, and their sons, Jeriel and Gabriel. 

SCC has the unique potential of becoming an effective instrument in reaching the many Filipinos in Japan.  It is working in close coordination with three Mission organizations namely: Baptist Conference of the Philippines, Baptist General Conference, and the Japan Baptist Association (Rengo). 

Today, we look back to our past with great thanksgiving for His mercy and powerful deeds in our lives.  We also look forward with the hope that, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 1:6)