Planted in the Highland: A Church, A Calling, A Community

PHILIPPINES – Nestled in the upland community of Aposkahoy, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, the Aposkahoy Evangelical Advent Christian Church (AEACC) stands not only as a house of worship but as a living testimony of God’s enduring faithfulness. What began as a humble outreach in 2019 has now flourished into a vibrant spiritual family through the unwavering commitment of its pioneering couple, Pastor Reynaldo and Pastora Evelyn Maxilom. With hearts stirred by God’s call, they journeyed to Aposkahoy with prayer, perseverance and the gospel.

AEACC is an outreach mission of the Glorious Claveria Advent Christian Church, and since its inception, it has been fueled by faith, prayer and a heart for the community. The first Bible study was held at Awe’s residence on February 2, 2019. That intimate gathering marked a powerful beginning; 12 souls accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

From that point on, the church experienced steady growth, nurtured by consistent in-house prayer meetings, home visitations and genuine fellowship. But like many ministries around the world, AEACC faced a major challenge when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. The health crisis created a significant gap in the ministry’s outreach efforts and gatherings.

Yet the spirit of the church never wavered.

In a triumphant return to ministry momentum, AEACC celebrated its first water baptism on December 20, 2020, where 13 new believers boldly declared their faith in Christ. It was a joyful affirmation that the seeds planted in earlier years were now bearing fruit.

A major milestone came in 2021 when the long-awaited dream of building a church structure began to unfold. On May 24, 2021, materials for the AEACC construction arrived at the site. The following day was a deeply spiritual and symbolic moment with a groundbreaking ceremony. It was a moment of cleansing the land, establishing the Lord’s Kingdom and pronouncing blessings. After months of effort and faith, the church held its first Sunday service inside the structure on December 12, 2021, even with only the roof in place and unfinished walls. That moment signified more than shelter; it was a step closer to fulfilling a vision birthed through fervent prayer.

In 2022, progress continued with the installation of window grills and doors, along with the wall skim-coating, modest but meaningful improvements that made the church safer and more welcoming.

On October 21, 2023, the church again witnessed God’s saving work as five brothers and sisters publicly declared their faith through water baptism. Another chapter of growth, another set of lives transformed.

The year 2024 brought new waves of blessings. For years, the congregation had been making a simple request to have musical instruments for worship. In God’s perfect timing, their prayers were answered. The church received a portable speaker with two wireless microphones, an acoustic guitar, a Yamaha organ and a mixer. They were also blessed with four tambourines, adding joyful sound to their praise. By July, these instruments were joyfully used during Sunday worship, elevating the praise and deepening the sense of communal celebration.

God’s provisions didn’t end there.

Recognizing the need for proper sanitation facilities, the church prayed for materials to build a comfort room (i.e. a restroom). That same month, construction began, and just a few weeks later, the comfort room was completed, another tangible sign of God’s hand over the ministry.

Now in its fourth year, AEACC continues to thrive. As of 2025, renovation of the church building is underway, reflecting not only the physical growth of the church but the deepening spiritual roots of its members. Through every season, whether in trial or triumph, the people of AEACC remain steadfast, fueled by a shared mission to bring the Gospel to their community.

Indeed, the journey of AEACC is more than just the story of a church; it is the unfolding of God’s grace and power, one answered prayer at a time.