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In 1971 a lady Pastor came from
the Philippines with a burden for the Filipino brethren from the same
islands. Her name is Felicidad Sato-Dizon. She and another sister
started to visit Filipino homes in Seaside. In 1972, two families
added to their group and decided to buy a property in Watsonville,
about 20 miles from Seaside. They used this building for about two
years for fellowship. The brethren from Seaside decided to
transfer back to their hometown, selling the church building in
Watsonville. However a group from Watsonville had formed and
they were able to find another church building to rent for their
fellowship (present location). At the same time, they also
affiliated themselves with Northern California and Nevada District
of the Assemblies of God as a home mission church. A few more
pastors came to help Pastor Dizon in the next 18 years. Three of the
pastors eventually left and started churches of their own: one in
Daly City, California, another in New Jersey and another in Capitola.
In 1987 Pastor Dizon invited
another pastor from the Philippines to pastor the church as she was
ready to resign. Pastor Noli Delfin arrived at Grace Temple without
his family in 1987. He eventually went back to Philippines as he was
seeking for God’s direction for his family. In 1990, he and his
family arrived in Watsonville responding to the leading of the Lord.
In July 1991, Pastor Dizon resigned and Pastor Noli Delfin became
the new pastor. It was difficult for a new pastor to face the
pastoral challenges while dealing with the new culture his family
had to adopt. During the first few years, the church grew from
about 15 people to reach an average of 60 people. God however
had a greater vision for Grace Temple.
In 2002, many young people around
the church neighborhood got saved and it was evident that God's was
working in a unique way.
Praise God! The atmosphere in the church shifted as new
members were being added. The
vision became clearer to the pastor, the church leadership and the
congregation. As the Lord leads, Grace Temple will obey
Him at His command. In 2002, Pastor Noli Delfin declared that Grace
Temple Church is no longer a Filipino only church, but a church
of Jesus reflecting its diverse community. Since then, there has
been a tremendous growth at Grace Temple not only in numbers
but in diversity. The Grace Temple family is excitedly
awaiting the further fulfillment of God's great and wonderful plans
for His church. |
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WE BELIEVE...The
Scriptures are Inspired by God
and declare His design and plan for mankind.
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WE BELIEVE...There
is only One True God–revealed in
three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as
the Trinity).
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WE BELIEVE...In
the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
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WE BELIEVE...though originally good,
Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering
evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
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WE BELIEVE...Every
Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation'
(trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal
Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
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WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1)
Water Baptism by Immersion
after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of
salvation, and (2)
Holy Communion
(the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's
suffering and death for our salvation.
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WE BELIEVE...the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following
Salvation that empowers
believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in
New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
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WE BELIEVE...
The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism
in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’
as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout
Acts and the Epistles.
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WE BELIEVE...Sanctification
Initially Occurs at Salvation and
is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a
progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers
continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
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WE BELIEVE...The
Church has a Mission to seek and
save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is
the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout
time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of
religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son
Jesus Christ.
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WE BELIEVE...A
Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry
Serves the Church. The Bible
teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to
reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and
to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.
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WE BELIEVE...Divine
Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today
and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death
on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
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WE BELIEVE...in
The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His
Church Prior to His Return to Earth
(the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers
who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord
in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with
them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of
the AG]
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WE BELIEVE...in
The Millennial Reign of Christ
when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins
His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial
reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the
establishment of universal peace.
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WE BELIEVE...A
Final Judgment Will Take Place
for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their
sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of
fire.
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WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect
New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have
accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever
following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever
be with the Lord!'
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