|
|
Jose B. Cabajar is the Founder, Chairman, and Pastor of Ilagan Baptist
Church, Inc. in Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines. He is a man of faith and courage, simple soft-spoken man, a man of few words,
a man of integrity, his inner strength cannot be hid but displayed through the test of time. He was born on March 15,
1952 in a humble place in Alcala, Pangasinan and grew up in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. The
son of Mr. and Mrs. Rafael Cabajar. His father was a God-fearing man, he is now with the Lord, he worked in Hawaii with the
US Navy during the World War II. His mother, formerly Beatriz Viray Bensan from Camiling, Tarlac is now in her
90's. Her loving
mother was a teacher in Elementary School before she got married. Jose is the
second eldest among the six children of the Cabajars' two sons and four daughters.
Jose is happily married to Maria Nelly Guevarra
Angeles from Quezon City, Metro Manila, a graduate AB Economics from the University Of Santo Tomas. After her graduation she
worked in the DENR Central Office in Manila. She is also a graduate of Theology Degree. Maria Nelly is a product of La Loma
Bible Institute, A ministry of a La Loma Baptist Church, a Fundamental Baptist Church located in Quezon City, Metro Manila. God has blessed them with two precious daughters, Rachel and Ruth Grace.
Jose finished his elementary education at Narvacan North Central School. He took up his high
school education at Narvacan Provincial High School. He finished his high school in 1969 and became one of the finest
graduates of Narvacan Provincial High School.
He finished his college education at the University Of Santo Tomas in Metro Manila in
1973 with a degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Advertising Arts. While in third year in college, he was noticed by
his professors and his colleagues through his award winning artwork in package design competition he won in the UST College
of Fine Arts Annual Art Competition. After his graduation he won another Award in Poster Design Competition sponsored by CORE-UST
Conserve Our Resources And Energy. This contest was open to all Metro Manila residents and he won the Third Prize in this
Art Competition. One of his notable awards in his secular life was when he bagged
the First Prize in the Philippine Music Festival Art Competition in 1978. The
scope of the competition was wide and open to all Filipino artists nationwide
and was sponsored by the University Of The Philippines. At that time he was a member of Art Association Of The Philippines.
After his glorious moments the AAP encouraged him to join an International Art Competition in France and become one of the
few representatives of the Philippines. His artwork was also displayed along with other participants from other countries
in France.
Jose Cabajar practiced his profession for thirteen years in Metro Manila before he went
into the Ministry. He worked with different companies as a visualizer, book illustrator, graphic, package, textile and carpet
designer. He is a lover of many things. He loves nature, hearing words of wisdom, writing poems, playing the guitar, taking
photographs, playing table tennis, exchanging pleasantries with God-fearing people. During his youth days he was involved
in road running. He ran mini-marathons, cross country race, half-marathons, and two
gruelling marathons. Jose finished his Johnson and Johnson Marathon Clinic in 1981. He was a tenth placer in senior category in his first Marathon Race. His memorable
race was the 2nd Manila International Marathon in 1982 where he won
a minor and remarkable award.
The early 80's was a crucial years for Jose's life. He began to seek the deeper
meaning of life. He was impressed by ear-catching subjects like Illusions, Secret Things, and The Truth. His interest in spirituality
led him to search more about the Scriptures. The King James Version Bible struck his attention and desired to have one. In
1982 he saw a boy with a KJV Bible in his hand, he talk to him and eventually he found himself in a small Baptist Church attending
their evening service. He enjoyed the service specially the Word of God preach by the Pastor. During the invitation for salvation he went forward and made a decision to repent from his sins and to receive the Lord
Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. It was about seven o'clock in the evening of September 19, 1982 when he was born again
in the Family of God.
Jose Cabajar's conversion became the turning point
of his life. His life dramatically changed. God put new desires in his heart and his sensitivity toward God became notable.
One evening he attended a Church Service, he sat alone waiting for the service to start, he heard the organist playing spiritual
pieces and his heart was so deeply touched that he made a commitment to serve the Lord through his God-given talent. His desire
was fulfilled, his first job in the Church was designing artworks for Gods glory. After his Baptism, he became a faithful
member of La Loma Baptist Church. His burning desire to know more about His Saviour and the Word of God led him to
enrol
in La Loma Bible Institute. After three years, he earned his Theology Degree. His knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures
were widened and his love for the Lord became deeper. The spiritual growth of Jose was gradual and consistent. His involvement
in Church activities enhanced his spiritual life. He was involved in soul winning, song leading, leading a group of young
professionals in the Church and a part of NGBC youth ministry. In 1985, his deep compassion for lost souls brought him to
a new steps of faith. He joined himself to a team of soul winners and started a pioneering work in Bulacan.
It was a very successful work, many people came to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The group of believers multiplied
and became a new Local Church. For years of existence, the Lord tremendously blessed the Church and became a landmark in that
place. He helped the first Pastor of the Church for almost one year and it was his great exposure to the mission field.
In 1986, the Lord's presence in Jose's life continually manifested. One thing Jose did not forget
was when he attended a Sunday Service, Pastor Brown preached the Word of God not knowing that God is working in Jose's heart.
Jose was moved by the Word of God and was led to raise his hand during the invitation. Pastor Brown was challenging Christians
to give their lives to the Lord And serve Him in full time capacity. When the Pastor saw Jose's hand raised as heads were
bowed and eyes closed he said with kind words, well, you still have the time to put down your hand. Jose perceived
he's the
only person with raised hand at that time but he meant it with all his heart. He solemnly bowed his head and decided to give
the remaining years of his God-given life to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and to serve Him in full time capacity.
In June 1986, The La Loma Baptist Church sent out Jose as a missionary to Cabagan,
Isabela, about ten hours bus ride from Manila. He helped Pastor Nell's Ministry, the Cabagan Baptist Church. He taught in
their Bible School, led the CBC New Generation Bible Club and handled an outreach ministry of CBC in a remote Barrio. Cabagan
is a very memorable place for Jose, it was there where he learned more about ministry life. The same year, it was there also
where he knew the certainty of God's leading for his life. One night, Pastor Nell and Jose had a fellowship, as they exchange
pleasantries, they opened a regional map, God impressed to them the capital town of Isabela. They prayed to God, surveyed
the Capital Town and found out no Fundamental Bible Believing Church in that place. After a couple of weeks, they asked God
for His help then started the mission work. The pioneering work was supported by Cabagan Baptist Church and La Loma Baptist
Church.
In Ilagan, Isabela, the year 1987 was a great harvest time. Jose Cabajar
was ordained in La Loma Baptist Church the same year. Bible studies were conducted weekly in Pulipol, Bagumbayan, Marana,
Calamagui I and Baculud with an average attendance of 60 people/week. After about 15 months of fruitful evangelism/mission
work, the believers were gathered together on May 1, 1988 for the first Church Services held in a rented office space located
in the town proper. The Wednesday Prayer Meeting Services started on July 27, 1988. During that same year, 28 believers obeyed
the Lord in baptism. Further, the deaf ministry was started on August 3, 1988 by Sis. Marinel Angeles primarily to teach the
deaf in the locality sign language and eventually lead them to Christ. January 22, 1989 marked the official organization
of Ilagan Baptist Church with Pastor Jose B. Cabajar as the Missionary Pastor and with 24 chartered members. In November 1990,
the Ilagan Bible Institute (IBI) started to offer a three-year course leading to the Graduate of Theology Degree with the
primary purpose of training and developing students to properly divide and communicate the Word of God, equipping them for
the ministry and other areas of Christian service. In January 1991, the First Annual Missions Conference was held to emphasize
Christ's great commission to spread the Gospel to the regions beyond, and to teach Christians to support the mission program
through prayers and faithful mission giving.
In January 1992, IBC became an independent church wherein its operating capital comes mainly
from tithes and offerings of its members and other people attending its regular Services.
On September 29, 1992, it was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
corporate name Ilagan Baptist Church, Incorporated with S.E.C. Reg. No. AN09203896 and with Pastor Jose B. Cabajar as the
Chairman and Official Pastor.
Ma. Nelly Angeles Cabajar
Ruth Grace and Rachel
Cabajar Photography
|
|
THE POWER
OF TRUTH
