History
The humble beginning of the Pentecostal Missionary CHURCH OF CHRIST 4th Watch, Ottawa Chapter:
It was during the cold winter of Thursday, December 28, 2000 when Pastor Joie and Bro Elmer's family moved to Ottawa City from Toronto together with Pastor Joie's father, the late Bro. Federico Macariola Jr. They started their very first worship on December 31, 2000 in the small living room of a town house which Bro Elmer had bought for his family and for the mission in Ottawa. Sis. Elaine, who was then 8 years old, was the MC and songleader. Bro. John was only 3 yrs and 3 months old and Bro. Paul was 2 yrs and 4 months. There were only six of them who attended that very first worship.The beginning was a joyful day, yet so humble. Pastor Joie Medina was aware that many sacrifices and trials lies ahead, but by faith she knew God will make her through and will bring many people to His church in the near future.
Bro Elmer still worked in Toronto to provide for the needs of his family and the pioneering work in Ottawa. He traveled early to Toronto every Monday mornings and travel back to Ottawa on Saturdays. This sacrifice continued for five years before Bro Elmer finally got a job in Ottawa on November 2005. Pastor Joie bore the labor of sowing the gospel through mall ministries and personal evangelism, while her father, the late Bro. Federico helped take care of her children.
It was not easy to build the work of God, especially when one is alone, but by God's grace, He has proven His mercy and His loving kindness to the Medina family when He had added the three first converts in Ottawa: Sis. Chita, Sis. Rochie and Sis. Josephine Flores. Then followed by Bro. Even Gatdula, a contact and the cousin of Pastor Susan Saulog of Hawaii Local along with his wife Sis. Beth Jimenez-Gatdula.
From the humble living room, they began to gather and worship in the basement where there was more room. God continued to add people in His church and by God's grace their number was growing. As they became too many to fit into the basement, they decided to rent community centers. Even then, God continued to bring more souls to His church and their number continued to grow. Finally by God's grace, in His own time, they now have a permanent rented place. As they are growing in number, they are looking forward to buy their very own house of worship. From just six souls, they have multiplied into many. His words are true, “ Your beginning will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” Job 8:7 (NIV)
Here in the local church of Ottawa, we constantly thank God for all the things He has done and is continuously doing in us. We are looking forward for more busy ministries as God continues to prepare His church for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To God be all the glory!