The Executive Committee of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) has approved the reorganization of the Central Luzon Conference (CLC), authorizing its division to establish a new entity named the Central Luzon Provinces Mission. This decision was officially endorsed and ratified during the SSD Annual Mid-Year Meeting held at the Life Hope Impact Center in Silang, Cavite, on May 7, 2024.
The Central Luzon Conference headquarters stands as a central hub for over 14 million people of diverse cultures and beliefs. Currently overseeing 372 churches and a membership of 111,121, the conference faces challenges in reaching out to communities within this urban area. The reorganization of the Central Luzon Conference aims to address these challenges by creating opportunities for more targeted and contextualized evangelism efforts, tailored to the specific needs of local congregations and communities.
The survey commission responsible for assessing the reorganization of CLC concluded on February 13, 2024, that the organization has largely met all necessary criteria. As a result, they have recommended to the Executive Committee the approval of the reorganization.
The territorial division between the two entities is outlined as follows: Central Luzon Conference will maintain its current designation, encompassing Metro Manila and the Rizal province. Meanwhile, Central Luzon Provinces Mission (CLPM) will comprise the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija (excluding the municipalities of Cuyapo and Nampicuan), Pampanga, Tarlac (specifically Tarlac City and the municipalities of Bamban, Capas, Concepcion, La Paz, Pura, and Victoria; along with select barangays in Gerona, Tarlac, including Amacalan, Buenlag, New Salem, Quezon, Sembrano, San Agustin, San Bartolome, Sta. Lucia, and Tangcaran, as well as Villa Aglipay and San Juan de Valdez in San Jose, Tarmac), Zambales, including the municipalities of Dinapigue and Palanan in the provinces of Isabela.
Pastor Ephraim Parulan, President of the Central Luzon Conference, expressed his elation and gratitude alongside fellow administrators, Pastor Noel Galang, Executive Secretary, and Joel Manlungat, Treasurer, following the approval of the reorganization. "We are deeply thankful for this significant milestone. This historic transition marks an important moment for us to broaden the church's mission in our region and to advance the Lord's work in this urban landscape," remarked Parulan.
The forthcoming organization is poised to swiftly appoint its inaugural team of administrators, department heads, and staff to spearhead the ongoing work and initiate the initial transition.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department