Church planter/pastor Rev. Delphin Orendain launched Grace International Christian Fellowship to serve the Asian community in July 2009 with the help of the Baptist State Convention, several churches in our association and the association itself.
March 2009
Asian Church Plant
Northside Community Church is serving as the Primary (mother) Church of a new Asian Church Plant by providing access to all church property and ministry resources. The association and the Baptist State Convention will provide $1000 and $1200 per month, respectively, for the first year. Proctor’s Chapel and Calvary (Rocky Mount) are also partners in this new ministry. With the help of the State Convention, we already have an Asian Church Planter that feels lead to begin this new work. Rev. Delfin Orendain has experience in starting Filipino churches in New York City, New Jersey, and most recently in Japan. He is already working with Pastor Mark Pridgen and the Northside church staff in initiating this new work. He is making contacts with prospects in the community and he is prepared to share the gospel as opportunities arise. He will organize fellowship gatherings, Bible studies, and begin worship services this summer. Rev. Orendain’s family hopes to move to Rocky Mount from Newport News, Virginia at that time.
Summer 2010
Grace International Fellowship is making ministry contacts every month. Four small group Bible Studies meet in various locations throughout the week. Many people have made public professions of faith and thus far 7 people have been baptized following discipleship training. Special programs and events have had as many as 60 in attendance and 25-30 meet weekly for worship Sunday afternoon. New ministries include a Children’s Sunday School Class, Leadership Training, Friday Night Basketball Fellowship, and Special Evangelistic Concerts. Hear Pastor Delfin Orendain’s passion for ministry in the following ministry report excerpts:
“I was able to make contact to some Filipinas (who are married to Americans) who are residing in Rocky Mount but never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus. Thus, after they heard the presentation of the Gospel in one of our Bible studies, they made a profession of faith to our Lord Jesus Christ! Praise the Lord!”
“… in one of our Bible Studies at a Chinese Restaurant, I met 4 more contacts who are actually looking for a Filipino Christian Church for the past 3 months.”
[During an evangelistic Thanksgiving Day Fellowship Luncheon] “we invited relatives and friends of church members. … After everyone had given their testimonies, I gave a 10 [minute] sharing of God’s Word and gave an invitation to the group if anyone would like to commit or surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus. 8 people made professions of faith!”
We are so thankful for Northside Community, Red Oak, Proctor’s Chapel, Calvary, RM, Nashville, and Salem Churches for joining with our association and the Baptist State Convention to make this ministry possible.
January 2011
As of December 2010, we have a total church membership of 35 with an average Sunday Worship attendance of 27. The total baptisms we had in 2010 was 10. We have 4 current outreach home Bible Studies: Rocky Mount (Saturdays), Nashville (Tuesdays), Roanoke Rapids (Thursdays or Fridays), and Wilson (every other Wednesday). We have a Basketball ministry outreach on Friday nights. We also have a disciple study group on Saturdays…We will begin (Jan 22 or 29) our training sessions (every Saturday or Sunday) for Teaching English as a Second Language. At present we have enlisted 5 people who have volunteered to be a part of this ministry. – Pastor Delphin Orendain
