Shaping Up in the
Earlier Days and to the
Present
The American Filipino Christian Church
In the beginning it was only a vision of a one man..... His name was Pastor Carlos San Luis. Originally from Iloilo, Philippines he migrated to Canada in early 1980s with wife Linda, daughters Joyce, Melodee and Helen Grace. He devoted his time reaching Filipino immigrants in the British Columbia area. He started two churches in Vancouver B.C. and later in Seattle. Pastor Carlos’ devotion and passion for the Lord led into a vision of planting more Filipino churches not only in Canada but also in the US. He has been a catalyst in the beginning of several other Filipino churches. His mission was to plant 20 churches by year 2000. With the help of Baptist General Conference and Columbia Baptist Conference, the San Luis Family immediately moved to Portland to begin the work in April 1987. American Filipino Baptist Church was officially formed in September 1987. Temple Baptist Church hosted the AFBC for a period of three years, provided space at their facility at no cost. When Pastor Carlos and family were preparing to move to Hayward & Stockton, CA to start more Filipino churches. Pastor Agapito Bernardo with wife Linda and two daughters Alyn and Beulah arrived from the Philippines to become the new pastor of AFBC. AFBC purchased a property in Southeast Portland in 1988 and built a worship center. They started meeting in the new building in 1989. Pastor Agapito served AFCC for seventeen years. Several small groups were formed, meeting daily to study and learn the word of God. Also during these years, Ruel Navarro, one of AFBC’s elders was sent off to start another Filipino church in the Portland Westside area. The Word of Grace International Church was born, AFBC’s daughter church. Pastor Ruel started the radio program called “Binhi ng Buhay”. Filipinos all over Portland and Vancouver area were able to tune in and listen to bible messages and Christian music in Tagalog. Pastor Ruel is now pastoring a church in Chesapeake, Virginia with wife Eve.
- Moses Cuaresma was AFBC’s associate Pastor during Pastor Pit’s time. Leading the youth and assisting in the worship team. Now living and pastoring a church in Seattle with wife Istie.
- Pastor Bernie was AFCC’s pastor from Early 2004 until January 2010. He was energetic and helped revitalize the church. He started a well-attended Monday night Tagalog bible study.
- Pastor Doug became AFCC’s pastor in April 2010. A true leader and a true servant. Because of his leadership, the church has grown not only numerically but spiritually as well. He started a G-Men (which stands for Godly Men) group and trained godly men to be true leaders in both the church and in their own respective homes. In ten years with Pastor Doug, many came to know and followed Jesus Christ in water baptism. With Pastor Doug’s leadership, the church has started to be more involved with local community events, such as cleaning school property, annual prayer walk which involves picking up garbage along Stark Street, assisted hosting movie nights at a nearby park during summer. During Pastor Doug’s tenure with AFCC, a new building emerged in the property. With his and G-Men’s leadership, the church was able to build the Hope Activity Center with four Sunday School classrooms for preschoolers up to the high schoolers; and a huge fellowship area for church goers to enjoy Filipino food after Sunday service.
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 2 3
Andre' Harris
Chairman
Steve Hutchinson
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Andy Thomas
Member
Troy Brighouse
Member
Nenita Pauley
Member
Pastor Philip Cortez
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 2 2
Steve Hutchinson
Chairman
Patrick Berry
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Andy Thomas
Member
Troy Brighouse
Member
Nenita Pauley
Member
Pastor Philip Cortez
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 2 0
Steve Hutchinson
Chairman
Andre' Harris
Member
Patrick Berry
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 9
Andre' Harris
Chairman
Patrick Berry
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Roy Smith
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 8
Andre' Harris
Chairman
Patrick Berry
Member
Sonny Aguinaldo
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Roy Smith
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 6 & 2 0 1 7
Andre' Harris
Member
Patrick Berry
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Sonny Aguinaldo
Chairman
Steve Hutchinson
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 5
Andre' Harris
Chairman
Patrick Berry
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Sonny Aguinaldo
Member
Steve Hutchinson
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 4
Andre' Harris
Chairman
Sonny Aguinaldo
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Regina Farah
Member
Patrick Berry
Member
Steve Hutchinson
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 3
Patrick Berry
Chairman
Sonny Aguinaldo
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Regina Farah
Member
Gray Johnson
Member
Andre' Harris
Member
Steve Hutchinson
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 2
Patrick Berry
Chairman
Amy Aguinaldo
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Gray Johnson
Member
Rafael Grytz
Member
Steve Hutchinson
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Executive Leadership Team ( ELT )
2 0 1 1
Patrick Berry
Chairman
Sonny Aguinaldo
Member
Rowena Muyuela-Papasadero
Treasurer/Comptroller
Regina Farah
Member
Gray Johnson
Member
Andre' Harris
Member
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
Spiritual Adviser and Member
The AFCC Pastors
Pastor Doug Hiebenthal
2010-2020
Pastor Bernie Bernardo
2004-2010
Pastor Agapito Bernardo
1988-2005
Pastor Carlos San Luis
1987-1988
The AFCC G-MEN Worship Team
Andy Thomas
Vocal/Guitar/Team Coordinator/Piano Interlude
Patrick Berry
Vocal 1
Andre' Harris
Vocal 2
Troy Brighouse
Drums
The AFCC WINgs worship team
Rosa Berry
Vocal 1
Maurin Brighouse
Vocal 2
Gloria Cadatal
Vocal 3
Marita Hutchinson
Vocal 4
Finalyn Tierra
Vocal 5
Rechie Mangalindan
Vocal 6
The AFCC YOUTH worship team
Allysa Gonzales
Team Coordinator/Guitar/Keyboard
Alexia Gonzales
Bass Guitar/Vocal 1
Rachel Brighouse
Percussion/Vocal 2
Loucel Candamo
Vocal 3
Isabelle Brighouse
Vocal 4
Mark Candamo
Acoustic Guitar
POWERPOINT/SOUND/LIGHTS TECHNICIAN
Mark and Eunice De Vera
HYMNAL PIANO INTERLUDE