A Blessing to Our Church
By May Oon
MOSAIC Team
The Filipino Fellowship (FF) at HVMC seeks to provide an environment that embraces our Filipino family, so that they can experience the love of Christ, feel welcome and accepted unconditionally just as Christ accepted us. By God’s grace, they are well-integrated with the congregation and have become an integral part of our church family.
FF Choir with WSCS
Lent Bible Study
The FF was formally established on 15 February 2009, with eight members. Today, there are 23 members, with Luvelyn Gallato overseeing the Ministry. She is assisted by Minda Gonzales (Prayer), Johanna Cario (Sports) and Mahalani Salvador (Food).
Outing at Pasir Ris Park
Creating gowns & Christmas decorations with recycled materials
The Filipino sisters meet weekly after church for activities such as lunch fellowship, life group and prayer meetings. They are actively involved in the church, serving as ushers, volunteers in the Children Ministry and the choir. They have also attended the church’s Camps and Life Group Conventions. In fact, six of them will be at this year’s Camp. As for future plans, the Ministry hopes, with God’s help, to be involved in church missions.
Here, one of the sisters reveals how God has moved her in her spiritual journey…
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE…OR POSSIBLE?
Minda Gonzales, 55, had been working for a Canadian family for 20 years. In 2023, they informed her that they were relocating to Germany. Because of her age, Minda was worried that the Ministry of Manpower would not grant her approval for a change of employer.
While she was in the process of looking for a new job, she was also seriously considering missionary work. Minda said, “I left it to God - if that was the route He wanted me to take, He would close the door to me getting the approval.”
But a new job she did find, only to be released after nine months, as the job scope had become overwhelming, with her employer expecting another child, and the family’s weekly Saturday dinner parties. Although she parted with them amicably, it was a harrowing situation, as she only had 10 days to find new employment. But with God’s grace, she managed to find one within a matter of three days. “All my sisters in Christ were keeping me in prayer,” Minda shared. One of the reasons she feels blessed and relieved that she can continue to work, is that she is supporting her 60-year-old brother, who suffers from a disability, in the Philippines
Although Minda takes her responsibility for her brother seriously, she has never given up her dream of doing mission work. “It’s my dilemma; it’s the only thing that’s stopping me. I need God to assure me that He will take care of my brother, before I can retire and devote my life to doing God’s work,” explained Minda.
In 2021, when Pastor Lorna Khoo heard about her burning desire, she sent Minda (and Filipino sister Rubelin Vicente) to attend a part-time course at Covenant Vision School of Ministry, under the guidance of Sapphire Daogas, who was then in charge of the Missions & Filipino Ministry. She graduated and was very grateful for the opportunity to undertake a preparatory course for the time when she is ready to plunge into mission work.
Minda started worshipping at HVMC in 2018 and has been responsible for the weekly rostering of the Filipina ushers. During the interview, the one thing that stands out is Minda’s inexorable calling to serve – it is almost a visceral expression of her love for God. One can only pray that it will happen one day soon.
A celebration in dance - Filipino Ministry anniversary service 2025.
Share This!
