Bergen Bible Baptist Church was started in the latter part of 1987 as a home Bible study group attended by about six families at the residence of Bro. Cenon Ignacio in Teaneck, New Jersey. The group was led by Pastor Max Mendoza under the ministry of Bible Church International, pastored by Rev. Romeo Manansala, a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
From bi-weekly home Bible studies, the group held its first formal worship service on January 3, 1988 at Tilden Avenue, Teaneck, New Jersey, where twenty five charter members voted to organize a church to be named BERGEN BIBLE CHURCH and called Pastor Max to be the pastor. “ALWAYS ON FIRE FOR THE LORD” was the theme adopted. The Constitution and By-Laws were approved in April 7, 1988 and registered with the State of New Jersey as a religious, non-profit organization.
A year after, the church decided to continue as a ministry independent from the Southern Baptist Convention. Growing in number, the church decided to rent the facilities of the Reformed Church of Teaneck and the Reformed Church of Bogota for the afternoon services and Day’s Inn Hotel for the morning worship services after we outgrew the place at #7 Chopin Court, Jersey City. In the 1990’s, Pastor Jonathan Bautista after graduating from Massilon Bible College was ordained to be our Youth Pastor. We petitioned Pastor Fred Tarectecan and family, and Pastor Gideon Umandap joined us as Evangelist. In 2005, the Church called Pastor Ramon Revilla and family to be part of the ministry.
In August 6, 1991, the church unanimously adopted a new name, BERGEN BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH.
We have seen God’s mighty hand graciously providing the needs of the church. In 1995, God blessed us with a property at 364 Garibaldi Avenue, Lodi, New Jersey where the church stands at the present time. In 1999, God added more blessings by providing us the adjacent corner lot. His provision did not stop when in 2004, He also allowed us to acquire the next-door property which, at present time, is used as a parsonage. All those years, we have seen God’s abundant financial provisions overflowing.
In 2005, the church called Pastor Samuel Manalo to be its Assistant Pastor. We are grateful Pastor Abel Manalo came in 2010, was ordained as our Outreach and Music Minister, and joined the Pastoral staff. In 2017,Pastor Jether Manalo and wife Hazel were added to serve the Lord in our ministry. In 2006 Sovereign Grace Baptist Bible Church was organized and God used Bergen Bible Baptist Church as instrument in launching it’s ministry.
God has favorably provided deacons in our church who have served faithfully through the years namely Bro. Benny Yamat, Bro. Glenn Castillo, Bro. Bobby Bernal, Bro .Robert Miguel and the late Bro. Ezer Norella. A need for an additional deacon for year 2012 came up so Bro. Henry SingBenco was ordained on February 11, 2012. Our deacons teach the Men’s Sunday school classes, lead our Friday Home Bible Study, and preach during our Wednesday prayer meeting. We also want to thank God for giving us dedicated members who are willing and available to serve Him as our church officers all these years, generous with their time, effort, and resources.
The Pastor’s heart has always been for missions. From supporting two missionaries and one Bible student during its first year of church ministry, now we are supporting 100 missionaries as members carry on the vision to co-labor in sharing God’s message of salvation to this troubled world. Members of Bergen Bible Baptist Church have faithfully prayed, provided goods, and financially supported mission works all around the world.
Decades later, Bergen Bible Baptist Church still stands true to its commitment in sharing the gospel to the world. After 32years, our light still shines brightly by the grace of God. Our Vision is still clear today- Exalt our Savior, Edify the Saints, and Evangelize the lost and dying world through the everlasting Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Blessed 32nd year church anniversary to BBBC on this 26th day of January 2020. God is good and faithful! To God be the Glory! Hebrews 13:8
Bergen Bible Baptist Church 