Meet the Pillars: They Responded to God’s Call 

God calls us during unexpected moments.

Coffee breaks are an employee’s time to relax, eat, and take a break from the daily grind of hectic schedules and a toxic environment. For John Magno, Jerry Salangsang, Aileen Soriano, and Sam Gamuza, these breaks became “rant sessions,” and sometimes even “pity parties.” During these moments, they shared their issues, conflicts with colleagues and superiors, and struggles with difficult tasks. In one of these gatherings, someone shared about God’s call to start a ministry for the employees of Texas Instruments (Phils.), Inc. (TIPI).

God uses ordinary people for extraordinary tasks.

John Magno, who moved to Baguio to lead a team in TIPI, was an active member of Novaliches Christian Community (NCC). He used his leadership skills to guide the planning stage of the ministry and motivated the team to move forward with their plans. He reported to Abet Flores, who later became one of the pioneers of CHCC. Jerry Salangsang, who left a thriving ministry in Manila to work in TIPI, facilitated most of the preparations and gatherings together with his wife, Pollen. Their dedication and enthusiasm inspired everyone, and their impact on the lives of attendees was remarkable.

Aileen Soriano, formerly part of the worship team in her church in Pangasinan, became the first worship leader for CHCC. Sam Gamuza, a graduate of a prominent Christian school in Iloilo, became an integral part of the ministry and later CHCC. He served as a guitarist, worship leader, and youth leader.

During a prayer meeting at Jerry’s residence, the group decided to begin with Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life as a way to invite participants. This book study not only engaged people in studying the Word but also encouraged interactive discussions with facilitators and fellow participants. Since John’s house had a spacious living room, the first gatherings were held there. John’s boardmates, Richard Clemente and Mike Medina, were naturally invited to join the ministry. Mike, being a skilled musician, contributed greatly to the growth of the worship team. Kat Fajardo was an added blessing, bringing joy and energy with her lively personality.

God provides for those who respond to His call.

The group pooled their resources to purchase books, activity guides, bookmarks, food, and other materials for the planned activities. They also served as facilitators, group leaders, singers, musicians, and hosts for the 40 Days of Purpose study and the succeeding Tuesday Bible studies. The 40 Days of Purpose was well-attended and became a source of refreshment and stress relief for participants. It also sparked a deeper interest in God’s Word, creating a strong desire for regular Bible studies—meaning more workers were needed.

Pastor Arnel Policarpio, who was in charge of the church-planting and outreach ministry of NCC, was invited to lead. He conducted the Tuesday Bible studies and helped in the spiritual transformation of the attendees. He later moved his family to Baguio and became the first pastor of CHCC. Around this time, I also became a member of the worship team.

God honors our response to His call.

The Tuesday Bible studies became so fruitful that the invitation soon extended to non-TIPI employees as well. Another 40 Days of Purpose study was scheduled, this time with the previous participants stepping up as facilitators. Eventually, the Tuesday Group decided to hold the first Sunday service to further expand God’s kingdom and spread the Good News. And as the saying goes… the rest is history.

Though most of the original members have since left TIPI and Baguio, their legacy continues in the lives of those who became part of CHCC—a Christian community birthed when God’s people responded to His call in the midst of what once began as a simple “pity party.”

A Rooftop Miracle 

What Am I Here For?

Many years ago, someone handed me a simple invitation card with the words: “What am I here for?” That question lingered in my mind.

At that time, my office work—something I was deeply passionate about—consumed my days, yet I often felt unfulfilled. I was raising wonderful children—was that the reason I kept going? The invitation made me pause. Honestly, I hesitated. I thought, This will just take time away from my busy schedule. After all, the initiators were engineers—half of them my direct reports. I worried: Will I be judged? Will this affect my role as their supervisor?

But curiosity got the best of me. On March 8, 2003, I walked into a small, cramped apartment where John Magno and seven other believers, with Che Puguon, introduced a book study on The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

We began with a spontaneous prayer—not the memorized ones I was used to. Then came the songs of praise and worship. I felt a stirring deep within me; my eyes swelled with tears as the lyrics pierced my heart. In that moment, I realized: God had always been with me, even when I failed to recognize His presence. What an awesome God He is!

Despite my excuses about not having time, God drew me back every Tuesday. Soon, our venue moved to a parking lot, and my attendance never faltered.

After a month, John invited one of their pastors from Manila, Pastor Arnel Policarpio, who would travel weekly to give deeper teaching from the book. I found myself even more drawn in. Was I being called? Was I ready to commit?

A few years later, Pastor Arnel and his family relocated to Baguio. He suggested starting a Sunday church service. I was skeptical. We were small in number, limited in funds, and I wondered how this could ever be sustained. Yet, on September 18, 2005, I found myself at the very first Sunday service of Church on a Hill Christian Community. That day, with tears streaming down my face, I testified to God’s unconditional love and faithfulness to me and my family. What a loving Father we serve!

The years that followed were not without challenges. Our church moved five times, renting costly spaces without a permanent home. Then, in 2014, a vision was cast: Project Haggai Five ’Oh – Vision 2020. The goal was bold—raise ₱5 million in five years, purchase land, and build a church facility by 2020.

At first, I was doubtful. With only 50–70 members, how could this possibly be achieved? We tried everything—fundraising programs, wagwagan, solicitations, pledges, even the children’s alkansiya—but the goal still seemed out of reach.

But God already had a master plan. In His perfect time, a generous couple from our church, Ben and Judy Martinez, offered the flat, empty rooftop of The Genext School of Leaders Foundation, Inc., which they had been blessed with. With less than half of our original target—and ahead of schedule—we were able to build a stunning church facility on that rooftop. It doubled as the school’s activity hall and became a miracle we witnessed with our very own eyes. Truly, our God is limitless, unstoppable, and a miracle-working God!

On September 2018, our 13th church anniversary, we celebrated God’s faithfulness at the rooftop—not in 2020, not in a small lot as we once imagined, but in a beautiful home that fittingly reflects our name: Church on a Hill Christian Community.

Who would have thought that such a miracle could happen? How can we ever truly fathom the magnificent plans of God?

Now, as we celebrate our 20th year, we continue to savor His steadfast love and His unfailing promises—together with a loving community of believers, a faithful and relentless shepherd, committed workers, dedicated ministries, and the unforgettable ROOFTOP experience of God’s very presence.

There is indeed a miracle happening at the CHCC Rooftop! God performed a miracle in my once-hesitant heart. I am still a work in progress, but I am no longer where I used to be. God has worked miracles in each of our lives, and He continues to do so, day after day.

Let us witness His sovereignty and magnificence—just as He revealed Himself at the Rooftop!

Thank You, Lord. To You be all the glory, forever!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.