FARM, Inc. - Home of SOS
 
  First Assembly of God in Roxas City, now First Assembly Roxas Missions, Inc (F.A.R.M.) is  situated in Panay Island, Philippines. It is pastored by Rev. Rey  A. Calusay with his wife   Rev. Zeny M. Calusay.As of 1974, Roxas City was considered one of the ten most difficult cites to penetrate with the gospel.

For more on Roxas City,  go to http://www.roxascity.gov.ph/about_history.htm
For more on FARM, Inc., go to http://farminc.wordpress.com 
(Click on photo for Bio of Pastor Rey Calusay)

Click here for Pastor Rey's BioA PROFILE OF F.A.R.M.

BEGINNINGS 

  • In May 5, 1978 (just 4 days after their wedding) Rey and Zeny Calusay arrived in Roxas city to pastor  the church of 25 people  that was pioneered by Rev. Roger Fernandez  in 1971
  • Working during the  first two years was like working in a dark tunnel, with extreme opposition from the  Catholic church 
  • Started a year of all night prayer meeting,   attendance started to increase

EARLY 1980’S

  • Rey started what became the key  to their ministry: equipping the believers to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12)
  • Started training of lay leaders during night sessions
  • Started all-church Ministry Seminars
  • A typhoon in 1985  devastated homes and properties  led to more open doors
  • Mobilized over a hundred of church leaders weekly to conduct home cell groups
  • Church attendance exploded

A LARGER SANCTUARY NEEDED

  • The 200 seat- chapel built by American Rev. Mamie Williams could not accommodate the growing congregation.
  • Started to hold services in movie houses, school auditoriums and other rented halls. 
  • Meanwhile,  the old chapel was demolished to  start building a three story building  that has yet to be completed until now.
  • The neutral grounds paved the way  for more sympathizers to attend services 
  • Many saved from the city and neighboring towns
  • Groups from neighboring towns travel to attend church in Roxas City 

TIME TO MULTIPLY, BIRTH OF  BSM AND SOS, 1986

  • Beginning of Summer of Service – a church planting strategy  to mobilize FARM members to plant churches in the neighboring towns.  
  • Beginning of Berean School of Ministry – a church-based training school for church planters   to produce pastors   that will plant and pastor these town churches. 
  • In 5 years, churches were planted in all 16 towns of the province of Capiz

GOD’S PLAN: BEYOND ROXAS CITY

  • Developments evidenced that God’s plan for First Assembly is not confined in Roxas City
  • Training of church planters continued as students from all over the Philippines came to be trained.
  • Church planting through SOS developed to be a nationwide program

A CHURCH CULTURE FOR MISSIONS

  • The commitment of its  members enabled FARM to fulfill its missions  purpose
  • FARM members sponsor and house  church planting students
  • FARM invests   60% of its finances to support  church planters
  • Along with the churches in the province, FARM provide  leadership and volunteers  for the annual nationwide church planting of the Assemblies of God in the Philippines.

FARM TODAY

  • Roxas City, then a third class city has rapidly evolved into a booming urban city
  • First Assembly continues  to be creative in reaching its  community 
  • Discipleship of believers and putting them in various areas of ministry has never been more intensive and intentional.
  • Committed to develop and provide training and ministry resources to meet the growing demands of  church planting, discipleship, missions and  pastoral ministry
  • Committed to inspire local pastors to empower their church people for church planting and missions.
  • Continue to be a catalyst to accelerate church planting,  envisioning a great church planting movement to happen in the Philippines.