From Scattering to SHARING: The Story of COG Sharing Village

[Who Are We? For those who have asked about the origins of the COG Sharing Village, this expanded account tells the story of how it began, the historical background that shaped our journey, and the vision that continues to guide us today. It also explains what makes the Church of God Sharing Village a distinctive organic church in the Philippines—committed to New Testament fellowship, biblical truth, and the shared life of God's people.]

THE HISTORY of the Church of God Sharing Village (COGSV) cannot be understood apart from the broader story of the modern Sabbatarian Church of God movement. Its roots stretch beyond the Philippines to an international work that proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom of God to millions during the twentieth century.

Yet, out of one of the greatest periods of upheaval in that movement emerged a small but determined fellowship in Metro Manila that chose to preserve what it believed were the original biblical teachings once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

THE ARRIVAL OF THE SABBATARIAN Church of God in the Philippines

The modern Sabbatarian Church of God presence in the Philippines traces its beginnings to the worldwide evangelistic work of the Radio Church of God, later renamed the Worldwide Church of God (WCG), under the leadership of Herbert W. Armstrong. Through 'The World Tomorrow' radio and television broadcasts and 'The Plain Truth' magazine, the message of the coming Kingdom of God reached countless nations, including the Philippines.

The Philippine work began remarkably early. In 1958, Herbert W. Armstrong commissioned evangelist Gerald Waterhouse to travel to the Philippines to locate and contact Pedro Ortiguero, who became the first Filipino ordained minister associated with the Radio Church of God. Four years later, in 1962, Mr. Waterhouse returned to establish the church's Philippine office, laying the foundation for decades of Sabbath-keeping congregations throughout the country.

Over the following years, the work expanded steadily. Local congregations were established, literature circulated widely, and many Filipinos embraced the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, the annual biblical Holy Days, and the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The church became one of the most recognizable Sabbatarian movements in the nation, even maintaining cordial relationships with national leaders during that period.

A WORLDWIDE Crisis of Faith

The stability that characterized much of the WCG changed drastically after Herbert W. Armstrong's death in 1986. During the early 1990s, the church under the new leadership of Joseph W. Tkach, began sweeping doctrinal changes, abandoning many of its long-held teachings, including seventh-day Sabbath observance and other distinctive doctrines. The new leadership befriended noted US evangelicals and embraced back teachings previously rejected as unbiblical under HWA. This is apostasy as it happens (2 Peter 2:22).

For thousands of members around the world, these changes created a profound spiritual crisis. Many believed the church had departed from teachings they understood to be biblically grounded. Rather than follow the new direction, numerous ministers and brethren chose to leave, giving rise to independent Sabbatarian fellowships across the globe.

From this period emerged organizations such as the United Church of God (UCG), Global Church of God (GCG), Living Church of God (LCG), Church of God International (CGI), Philadelphia Church of God (PCG), and many other independent congregations. Although organizationally diverse, these fellowships shared a common historical heritage rooted in the earlier Worldwide Church of God.

THE BIRTH OF THE CHURCH OF GOD Sharing Village

It was within this historical transition that the Church of God Sharing Village (COGSV) was born.

Around the Passover season of 1997, a small group of believers in Metro Manila gathered with a shared conviction that biblical truth should be preserved regardless of organizational changes. Rather than simply forming another denomination, they envisioned a fellowship centered on Scripture, mutual service, and the apostolic model of the New Testament Church.

Among the pioneering families were ordained Elders and deacons in the WCG: Mr. and Mrs. Jess Cardona and family, Mr. and Mrs. Pioquinto and family, the Coria family, the Constantino family, the Magat family, together with brethren including C. Lumbuan, Ms. Buendia, S. Miguel, L. de Castro, and others who had previously been associated with the Worldwide Church of God and related Sabbatarian fellowships. The Hipe family joined the fellowship approximately a year later and became part of its continuing development and ministry. At present, COGSV has four (4) ordained deacon and deaconesses. Mr. Raul de Asis Hipe was ordained in 2003, and currently its presiding Elder with pastoral oversight.

While its services and office is currently located in Makati City, they have brethren from these different localities (outside Metro Manila): Zambales, Pangasinan, Baguio City, Batangas, and Cavite area. Though modest in size, these believers shared a common purpose: to continue the work of preaching the gospel while preserving what they understood to be biblical Christianity.

A SHARED FELLOWSHIP RATHER THAN a Rigid Organization

From its beginning, COGSV intentionally embraced the biblical concept of the 'ekklesia'—the "called-out assembly." Rather than emphasizing centralized ecclesiastical structures or institutional identity, the fellowship sought to function as a spiritual family built upon relationships, shared faith, and collective service. We also promote cross -fellowship with others like-minded COG congregations, and maintained regular contacts with some US-based COGs. They also welcome brethren from abroad (US, England, etc) visiting or joining with us celebrating God's feasts.

The fellowship continued promoting and observing the seventh-day Sabbath as God's weekly day of rest. It faithfully celebrated the annual Holy Days recorded in Leviticus 23—including Passover, Pentecost, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Eighth Day—as part of God's unfolding plan of salvation.

Equally important is its commitment to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God while encouraging spiritual growth through Bible study, prayer, discipleship, and Christian fellowship.

WHY "Sharing Village"?

The name Church of God Sharing Village reflects more than a location—it expresses our vision of ministry.

Rather than investing primarily in large institutional structures, COGSV envisioned itself as an organic community where believers share faith, resources, encouragement, and responsibility for the work of God. Inspired by the fellowship described in Acts 2:42–47 and Acts 4:32–35, members sought to cultivate genuine relationships marked by hospitality, generosity, prayer, and mutual care.

In this sense, the "Sharing Village" became both a spiritual identity and a practical mission—a community where believers learn together, serve together, and support one another while advancing the gospel of Christ and the Kingdom of God.

CONTINUING the Work/Ministry

Today, the Church of God Sharing Village stands as part of the continuing story of the Sabbatarian Church of God movement in the Philippines. Though independent in administration, it remains connected historically to the legacy of those who first brought the Sabbath message to the nation in the late 1950s.

Its mission remains unchanged: to worship God according to Scripture, preserve the faith once delivered to the saints, strengthen the household of faith, and proclaim the hope of the coming Kingdom of God until Jesus Christ returns (Matthew 24:14; 28:19–20; Jude 3).

From the worldwide work begun decades ago, through a season of scattering, God raised up small fellowships committed to continuing His work. The story of the Church of God Sharing Village is one chapter in that larger history—a testimony that while organizations may change, faithful believers continue to gather, share, serve, and proclaim the gospel from one generation to the next!