How do you start your battles?

Prayer is a powerful tool that can empower us against life’s challenges. Unfortunately, we often treat prayer and reliance on God as a last resort. For Bong and Beng Gulapa, current leaders of ICOC Camarines Sur, prayer has always been their first line of defense.

Bong began studying the Bible through the Campus Ministry. After just one week of studying the Bible, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior—understanding the cost of discipleship, he made the difficult decision to end his relationship with his then girlfriend.

Early in Bong’s walk as a disciple, his family’s business incurred losses, making it difficult for them to afford his education. His mother even suggested he stay in their province, Camarines Sur, seeing no reason for him to return to Manila. However, driven by his commitment to the Church and his desire to continue his studies, Bong traveled to Manila in faith, with nothing but a packed meal from his mother.  Bong did not sleep a wink during that eight-hour bus ride but spent it in deep prayer. The next morning, God answered his prayers through a relative who provided not only assistance for his tuition fee but also a job and a place to stay. This experience became a catalyst for Bong’s journey to becoming the prayer warrior that he is today.

Throughout his journey, Bong remained steadfast in prayer. When Bong considered pursuing a relationship with a particular sister in Christ, he prayed to God for a sign: that if she were meant for him, she would ask him if he knew the song "Sometimes When We Touch." Amazingly, the woman Bong had in mind eventually asked him this exact question. That woman is Beng, the one who later became his girlfriend and then his wife. Within a year of their marriage, God answered another one of Bong’s prayers: an opportunity to serve God in a challenging province. These experiences only continued to solidify Bong’s reliance on prayer.

Bong and Beng were sent as part of a second-wave missionary team to Zamboanga, a province in the Philippines. At the time, the province of Zamboanga faced significant security challenges—including frequent kidnappings and bombings—and to top it off, the local church was struggling financially. Despite this, God blessed their ministry, and Bong and Beng were instrumental in helping the community through a livelihood program—they encouraged the disciples to use their strengths for economic growth; like using their skills as air conditioning mechanics to their advantage and starting their own business. After serving in other provincial churches of the ICOC Philippine family of churches, Bong and Beng were called to serve in the church in Camarines Sur—-another answered prayer as Bong’s Kingdom Dreams included starting a church in his home province. 

After a few years of serving the church in Camarines Sur, financial difficulties had Bong deciding to work abroad in Dubai. He attended the church there, and his heart to serve God anywhere still rang true, as he set out to serve in the Worship Ministry there. Unfortunately, the global financial crisis impacted Dubai, leading to his return to the Philippines. Bong attempted to work elsewhere in the country multiple times, but circumstances consistently led him back home. Finally, he secured a teaching position at a local university in Camarines Sur. Bong saw this as a testament to the power of prayer and God’s guidance, realizing that even when he pursued different paths, God was leading him back to his original dream. In 2013, the church in Camarines Sur had its Inauguration Service, and over 500 people were present, including Bong’s students and fellow faculty members.

Currently, ICOC Camarines Sur is a thriving ministry with 57 members, each with the heart to serve the people, especially the poor. In 2016, during the controversial extra-judicial killings, Bong and Beng coordinated with local government officials to minister to people with drug addictions every week. This initiative helped many families—one even became more prayerful (which left his family pleasantly surprised and grateful for the change).

Last October 2024, the whole province of Bicol was plagued by the strong Typhoon Kristine. The floodwaters reached approximately seven feet deep, significantly impacting many families.  Unfortunately, another typhoon threatened to land in the province. This time, Bong and Beng ensured they were well-prepared. They purchased groceries and evacuated Church members. Everyone spent the night praying for the whole province’s safety from the storm. The following day, the threatening storm passed through, barely making an impact—like a typical rainy day.  In the midst of these calamities, the disciples’ generous spirits remain unfazed, continuing their service through a recent outreach to people with disabilities.

Drawing inspiration from Luke 22:27, Bong and Beng encouraged disciples from ICOC Camarines Sur to have a Christlike heart when it came to serving. As Bong says:

“Meron isang bulwagan, pagandahan ng kabisera and damit pero hindi mo makikita si Jesus doon, andoon Siya sa kusina naghihiwa ng sibuyas (There's a grand hall, a place for showing off headwear and clothing, but you won't find Jesus there. You’ll find Him in the kitchen, chopping onions).”

With your support we can help Bong, Beng, and the rest of Camarines Sur Church evangelize their province!

You may be miles away but with your donation, you can be part of God’s mission.