In early 1990s, Anthony Velasco, was invited by a pastor to join bible studies in Brgy. Salitran 4, Dasmariñas, in the province of Cavite. By the second Sunday of August 1990, their commitment grew into a church called Risen Lord Christian Fellowship (RCLF) initiated by three people along with Anthony, Georgeanna Luat (Anthony’s fiancée at that time) and a pastor.
First Worship Place in Salitran, 1990
In 1994, the Lord impressed upon the church that its worship center be located at the Dasmariñas downtown. Salitran wasn’t at all strategic for reaching more souls for Jesus. Despite the challenge of a higher rental fee, the church pushed through. The following Sunday, the Security Bank Days (as many would call it) came to birth. In the same year, the church became affiliated with Word for the World Christian Fellowship.
After three years, the church’s name became Word lnternational Ministries (WIM). In 1998, it moved to a 1,600 square meter UMC warehouse beside DLSU Medical Center Dasmariñas and was converted into a worship center.
Then in 2000, the Lord envisioned Himself to Ptr. Anthony in a dream saying “I will bless you”. He imparted this gift to the church which initiated the plan to start building the church’s own sanctuary.
To fulfill this, the church had to move to Marilag Subdivision along Aguinaldo Highway before December 2002 to avoid renewing contract with the UMC warehouse for another five years. As God’s favor was truly upon the church, it was able to move to Marilag in time. It was also in 2002 when the church became Church of God Dasmariñas, World Missions of the Philippines with 1,500 members. In 2006, the church sanctuary was completely finished and continued to become a witness to numerous ministries. Then in 2008, the COG Jabez was built through the collected funds from a concert.
COG Dasmariñas, 2006
Then came the annual Prayer & Fasting during year 2010, where Ptr. Anthony saw a vision. In the vision, he saw the Lord Jesus Christ approach him at the back of the COG Jabez sanctuary where the fasting was held. At that moment, he fell on his knees in awe of His presence. Suddenly, he turned into a jar. Then, he began seeing the scene the scene between the Lord and himself as a jar. Then the Lord put His heavenly money into the jar. Ptr. Anthony said and claimed, “For the church!” Then afterwards, he woke up from his trance. After the vision, Ptr. Anthony heeded the call of the Lord to build the Generation Blessing Building, also know as the GenBless Building, a five-storey building that will accommodate the increasing population of the church and to provide the needs of its members.
Generation Blessing Building, 2019
In 2013, another satellite church was established by God’s grace. Previously known as COG Lalaan, it was renamed to COG Silang and was transferred to Premiere Plaza, Silang, Cavite. Then in 2014, COG FCIE was renamed to COG General Trias and is now located inside Metro South Subdivision, General Trias, Cavite. Today, the Lord has continued to bless and enlarge the church. With almost 15,000 strong members and 3,700 dedicated workers ready to fulfill the vision of turning Dasmariñas into a born-again city… and eventually turning our country into Born-Again Pilipinas.