About

park-of-surigaoWhat is now the city proper of Surigao was formerly known, according to Fray San Francisco de San Antonio, as BANAHAO. San Antonio in his chronicas written in 1738, described Banahao as located at the Northern Head of Mindanao within which there is a goof port for ships called Bilan-Bilan. Banahao was part of the old district of Caraga, which later on became the politico-military district of Surigao with Tandag (presently capital of Surigao del Sur) as its capital. Caraga derives from the word Calagan which means Land of the Brave of fierce people. The Italian adventurer Francisco Giovani Careri, who published a book of travel in the country, cited Francisco Combes, SJ as source in saying that Calagan is derived from the two Visayan words: Kalaga or calag which means soul and an for land. It was through Surigao Strait that the fleet of Ferdinand Magellan after a brief stay at Island of Homonhon, sailed into the Philippine Archipelago during the epic voyage of discovery and eventual circumnavigation of the world in 1521. Likewise, it was this famous and historic body of water that the greatest naval battle in history known, as the Battle of Surigao Strait, was fought in World War II, from October 24-25, 1944 between US and Japanese Fleets.

Surigao is named after the old province (district) of the same name (Surigao). There are many versions regarding the meaning of Surigao; how this was derived. Like Sulo, which means sulog or current. Surigao probably came from the Spanish Surgir, meaning swift water or current. With the division of Surigao into two provinces, Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte, the municipality of Surigao became the capital of Surigao del Norte. It became a chartered city on August 31, 1970.

Surigao del Norte is located at the northeastern portion of Mindanao. With a ferry service terminal in Lipata, Surigao City serves as the link of the Island of Mindanao to Eastern Visayas and Luzon. Likewise, existing transportation facilities and good roads make the province accessible to all growth centers in Mindanao. With Surigao City as its capital, the province has twenty seven (27) municipalities of which eleven (11) are located in the mainland of Mindanao, nine (9) in Siargao Island and seven (7) in Dinagat Island.

The province has several excellent tourist spots; white beaches, lagoons, caves and other scenic attractions can be found in various locations. Since 1996, the internationally acclaimed Siargao Surfing Cup is held annually at General Luna, Siargao Island participated by surfers from the United States, Australia, Japan and other asian countries and a number of local surfer mostly from Luzon.

Jesus is Lord Church Surigao City… Re-visiting the Past

The JIL ministry in Surigao City started early 1989. Bro. Danny Dagaas personally went to the JIL Leadership in Manila to formally request for a regular bible study to be conducted at his familys house in Surigao City.

The request was referred to Ptr. Silver Caballes who was then the pastor of JIL-Butuan City. Sometime in July 1989, Ptr. Silver sent Bro. Jimmy Deguinion to Surigao City to hold bible studies at the Dagaas residence. Bros. Danny Dagaas and Jimmy Deguinion took upon themselves the task of soul winning and they made daily evangelism and follow-up of new members. Bro. Danny would later go back to his secular job overseas while Bro Jimmy continued to serve in the ministry and he is now the Residence Pastor of Leyte.

On August 5, 1989, the first Sunday Service of Surigao City was officiated by Ptr. Silver Caballes. This also formally launched the JIL_Surigao City as an outreach church of Butuan City. Ptr. Dante Panes served as pastor of the pioneer church for almost 2 years. He was succeeded by Ptr. Bert Rivero who stayed only for a couple of months. Over the period of twelve years, average church attendance increased form the single-family attendance to thirty-five regular attendees. The church also rented a modest 2-storey house that served as worship center and parsonage.

Ptr. Junie Aguilar of JIL-Butuan City serves as Resident Pastor from August 2002 – December 2003. Ptr. Aguilar was called back by his mother church and on January 2004, Ptr. Maria Cleofas Emerlinda A. Arreza was installed Resident Pastor of JIL Surigao City.

JIL Surigao City is not spared from trials and travails that beset churches. The absence of a financial management system was addressed by Ptr. Aguilar who instituted the installation of a simple bookkeeping and accounting system for the church.

The Present – Conquering the Land

Leadership training programs are continuously being implemented since 2004 to strengthen the core of leadership and equip church workers for ministerial work. One (1) outreach church was established in Dapa, Surigao del Norte in 2005. An extension Sunday Service is also held at Magtangale, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte. At present, six (6) Life Group Networks hold regular meetings.

A breakthrough for the JIL Surigao City is the transfer to a new worship center right at the heart of the city. The rent was triple the amount of the previous center, but the JIL leadership was undaunted. Armed with faith in God and courage, the church transferred to a new building in December 2005. Six months later, we experienced a 100% increase in attendance. More and more, new faces come every Sunday. Recently, two (2) new air conditioning units were installed in the worship center and one (1) air conditioning installed at the church office.

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