 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
National Association of Filipino American United Methodists
PAGLAGO
PAGLAGO is a Pilipino word that means luxuriant growth. It describes the program for growth of Filipino American United
Methodist churches. As a plan for congregational development, it embodies this process of planting: persons are
deployed to offer Christ and plant the seed of love (God's word) to bring about new communities of faith (Acts 2:42). It is
also an endeavor to animate existing churches, give vigor and new vitality to the community to aggressively go to unknown
territory, bring the gospel to unfamiliar people and organize churches among Filipino immigrants and U.S. born Filipino
Americans.
This comprehensive strategy has a two-pronged approach: New Church Start and Revitalization of Established Churches.
Paglago will organize and charter congregations in 30 targeted cities by 2013. It will also undertake the relocation and
transformation of existing churches from areas where there’s no growth to major centers where Filipino Americans are in
great numbers.
Paglago's ministry and program include a leadership development model that is based on partnership and teamwork, a
church growth curriculum, recruitment and training and stewardship development.
THE NATIONAL PAGLAGO COMMISSION
The National Paglago Commission was organized and mandated by the National Association of Filipino American United
Methodists (NAFAUM) in 1999 to develop a comprehensive strategy and implementation plan for Filipino American ministry
and church growth within the United Methodist Church. Currently in its implementation phase, the plan envisions building
30 Filipino American churches across the United States by 2013.
Elected by NAFAUM, the original commission members are: Fred Agtarap, Hemesias Ares, Arturo Capuli, Ruth Ocera
Cortez (Chair), Estan Cueto (Ex-officio), Miguel de Guzman, Merlyn Javier, Sherry Ruth Laguardia, David Rodriguez, and
Leo Tipay. Current members include Ruth Ocera Cortez, Aurora Cudal,Debbie Dillon (Treasurer), Danny Hernaez,
Aquilino Javier Jr. (Ex-Officio), Merlyn Javier, Levy Laguardia, Jon Melegrito (Chair), J. Allan Ocampo, Gel Samson
(Secretary) and Pros Tumonong.
THE PAGLAGO ENDOWMENT FUND
In a pro-active spirit of initiative and self-reliance, Paglago is turning into the resources of the Filipino community to help
move its church growth plan forward. By establishing the Paglago Endowment Fund (PEF), the commission recognizes the
need for adequate and long-term funding. "We see PEF as a way of igniting the imagination of our people, harnessing our
resources, and gathering enduring support for Paglago through a systematic and well-organized manner, which includes
transparent and regular accountability," says Paglago Funds Committee Chairman Danny Hernaez.
PAGLAGO COMMISSION:
Jonathan Melegrito, Commission Chairperson
Debbie Dillon, Commission Treasurer
Gel Samson, Commission Secretary
Aurora Cudal, Member
Merlyn Javier, Member
Levy Laguardia*, Member
J. Allan Ocampo, Member
Danny Hernaez, Paglago Funds Chairperson
Ruth Cortez, Paglago Executive Director
Methodist churches. As a plan for congregational development, it embodies this process of planting: persons are
deployed to offer Christ and plant the seed of love (God's word) to bring about new communities of faith (Acts 2:42). It is
also an endeavor to animate existing churches, give vigor and new vitality to the community to aggressively go to unknown
territory, bring the gospel to unfamiliar people and organize churches among Filipino immigrants and U.S. born Filipino
Americans.
This comprehensive strategy has a two-pronged approach: New Church Start and Revitalization of Established Churches.
Paglago will organize and charter congregations in 30 targeted cities by 2013. It will also undertake the relocation and
transformation of existing churches from areas where there’s no growth to major centers where Filipino Americans are in
great numbers.
Paglago's ministry and program include a leadership development model that is based on partnership and teamwork, a
church growth curriculum, recruitment and training and stewardship development.
THE NATIONAL PAGLAGO COMMISSION
The National Paglago Commission was organized and mandated by the National Association of Filipino American United
Methodists (NAFAUM) in 1999 to develop a comprehensive strategy and implementation plan for Filipino American ministry
and church growth within the United Methodist Church. Currently in its implementation phase, the plan envisions building
30 Filipino American churches across the United States by 2013.
Elected by NAFAUM, the original commission members are: Fred Agtarap, Hemesias Ares, Arturo Capuli, Ruth Ocera
Cortez (Chair), Estan Cueto (Ex-officio), Miguel de Guzman, Merlyn Javier, Sherry Ruth Laguardia, David Rodriguez, and
Leo Tipay. Current members include Ruth Ocera Cortez, Aurora Cudal,Debbie Dillon (Treasurer), Danny Hernaez,
Aquilino Javier Jr. (Ex-Officio), Merlyn Javier, Levy Laguardia, Jon Melegrito (Chair), J. Allan Ocampo, Gel Samson
(Secretary) and Pros Tumonong.
THE PAGLAGO ENDOWMENT FUND
In a pro-active spirit of initiative and self-reliance, Paglago is turning into the resources of the Filipino community to help
move its church growth plan forward. By establishing the Paglago Endowment Fund (PEF), the commission recognizes the
need for adequate and long-term funding. "We see PEF as a way of igniting the imagination of our people, harnessing our
resources, and gathering enduring support for Paglago through a systematic and well-organized manner, which includes
transparent and regular accountability," says Paglago Funds Committee Chairman Danny Hernaez.
PAGLAGO COMMISSION:
Jonathan Melegrito, Commission Chairperson
Debbie Dillon, Commission Treasurer
Gel Samson, Commission Secretary
Aurora Cudal, Member
Merlyn Javier, Member
Levy Laguardia*, Member
J. Allan Ocampo, Member
Danny Hernaez, Paglago Funds Chairperson
Ruth Cortez, Paglago Executive Director